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Association of mean annual temperature and hot daily highs with death rate for hyperthermia: a 20-year ecological analysis
No full textAssociation of mean annual temperature and hot daily highs with death rate for hyperthermia: a 20-year ecological analysi
Traditional intimate partner violence and cyber dating abuse among gay, lesbian, and heterosexual individuals. The role of minority stress, alcohol use and jealousy
No full textThis cross-sectional study examined the prevalence and predictors of traditional intimate partner violence (IPV) and cyber dating abuse (CDA) among gay and lesbian (GL) individuals and heterosexual individuals in Romania. A sample of N = 315 participants (62.5% women, 37.5% men) aged 18 to 58 (M = 27.24, SD = 9.13) was recruited online via LGBT specific groups (for GL individuals) and from general social groups (for heterosexual sexual orientation individuals), mostly from Romania’s large cities (Bucharest, Cluj, Iasi). The study aimed to explore the association between minority stress, alcohol use and jealousy with IPV and CDA. Binary logistic regression results indicate that behavioral (for gay men and heterosexual women) and cognitive jealousy (for lesbian women and heterosexual men) are significant predictors of CDA. However, no significant association emerged between minority stress, alcohol consumption, and jealousy on IPV and CDA perpetration. These findings enhance understanding of specific behaviors that adversely affect the well-being of GL individuals within romantic contexts. The study underscore the need for profesional interventions that focus on emotional regulation and healty online behavior, particularly for GL individuals who may face some diferent stresors in a post-comunist society like Romania. Practitioners should focus on strenghtening coping strategy, comunity support and psychological flexibility of GL client to help them reduce the effect of social and contextual factors on their well-being. These findings higlight the need for improve public education and awarness campaigns regarding sexual minority issues
Impact of clinical and radiological factors on CT-Perfusion timing in acute ischemic stroke
No full textBackground and purpose: To assess the impact of radiological and clinical variables on brain CT-perfusion (CTP) curves in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Materials and methods: IRB-approved retrospective observational cohort study, need for informed consent was waived. We included 295 patients who underwent CTP for acute ischemic stroke in our Institution (Jan2020-Mar2024). Two radiologist evaluated arterial input function (AIF) and reference vessel (RefV) curves to assess bolus arrival delay and time to equilibrium; discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Additionally, they evaluated the unenhanced brain CTs acquired before CTP for the presence of microangiopathy (van Swieten scale) and intracranial arterial wall calcifications (yes/no). CT-Angiography was evaluated for the site of occlusion. Age, sex, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, presence of arrhythmias, and NIHSS were retrieved from an institutional database. A univariate analysis was performed to establish significant variables; variables with a P value <0.1 in the univariate analysis were subsequently included in a multivariate logistic regression model to adjust for potential confounding factors. Results: Logistic regression identified cardiac arrhythmias and increasing age as independent predictors of non-diagnostic perfusion CT exams (p < 0.001). Other factors, including arterial calcifications, white-matter lesions, NIHSS score, and large vessel occlusion, were not significantly associated with non-diagnostic outcomes. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the arterial time-to-peak value was significantly associated with the presence of cardiac arrhythmias (p<0.0001), with higher time-to-peak values observed among patients with arrhythmias (24.0s; IQR 20.2 -27.1s) compared to those without (18.6s; IQR 15.5 -21.7s). Similarly, the venous time-to-peak was found to be longer in patients with cardiac arrhythmias (median 30.2s; IQR 26.4 -32.0s) compared to those without (25.6s; IQR 22.5 -28.7s), p<0.0001. Conclusions: Our study showed that patients with cardiac arrhythmias need longer CTP acquisition times to avoid perfusion curve truncation and potentially non-diagnostic results. The knowledge of the impact of clinical variables on CTP may help better tailor the acquisition delays to improve diagnostic quality and avoid unnecessary radiation doses. Abbreviations: AIS = acute ischemic stroke; AIF = arterial input function; RefV = reference vessel curve; LVO = Large Vessel Occlusion; IQR = interquartile range
La chiamavano B.B. In ricordo di Brigitte Bardot
No full textAnalisi della figura attoriale e divistica di B. Bardo
Comparing snowball sampling and RDS: A methodology and case study
No full text: Both snowball sampling and Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) are used to sample hard-to-reach populations. Snowball sampling was initially developed as a probability sampling method, but in practice, it is widely used as a non-probabilistic sampling method. RDS was developed to address the limitations of snowball sampling and can be used to approximate a probability sampling method in practice. Therefore, RDS is often recommended for bio-behavioral surveys (BBS) for surveillance of HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs among key populations. In some settings, simpler and cheaper monitoring are desired. WHO and UNAIDS are developing a simplified and rapid bio-behavioral survey methodology, a version of snowball sampling to use when RDS is infeasible. In this paper, we use data-based simulations to examine the potential similarities and differences between results from a snowball sample with recruitment initiated from a health service and samples recruited through RDS methodology
Pubertal induction in prepubertal males with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: testosterone or gonadotropins?
No full text: Pubertal induction in males with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) remains challenging. Various treatment strategies using testosterone or gonadotropins have been developed; however, the optimal approach for initiating and sustaining puberty remains uncertain. A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted in July 2024 using the keyword "puberty induction in males" for studies published between January 2004 and July 2024. The inclusion criteria were publication in English including male patients under 18 years of age with HH. Animal studies, adult cohorts, and non-HH groups were excluded. Of the 134 retrieved records, 18 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed for therapeutic regimens, efficacy, and outcomes. Both testosterone- and gonadotropin-based therapies effectively induced puberty in males with HH. Intramuscular testosterone esters remain the most commonly used approach because of their accessibility and cost-effectiveness, whereas newer long-acting transdermal formulations offer improved tolerability. Gonadotropin-based regimens, including human chorionic gonadotropin, alone or in combination with follicle-stimulating hormone, demonstrated effective virilization and increased testicular growth and spermatogenesis, suggesting potential benefits for future fertility. However, treatment protocols vary widely and no standardized guidelines are currently available. Pubertal induction in HH should aim to mimic physiological puberty and consider psychological and somatic well-being as well as future fertility potential. Although testosterone effectively promotes virilization, gonadotropin therapy enhances testicular development and spermatogenesis. Their formulations, dosages, treatment durations, and modes of administration show considerable heterogeneity. Further multicenter studies are required to establish optimal regimens and clarify long-term fertility outcomes associated with different therapeutic strategies
Artificial intelligence and wearable technologies for upper limb neurorehabilitation
No full text: Non-invasive neural interfaces (NIs) are increasingly investigated in upper limb neurorehabilitation, where they exploit biosignals, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), to decode motor intentions using artificial intelligence (AI). Yet, traditional systems are complex and difficult to use outside the clinic. Wearable devices have the potential for innovative neurorehabilitation solutions thanks to their comfort, easy-to-use and long-term monitoring. However, current AI approaches require adaptation to the technical constraints of wearable devices, and the related state-of-the-art is not clearly explained and summarized. In this work, a systematic literature review on 51 studies was conducted analyzing them according to five important concepts: biosignals, wearables, AI-driven methods, upper limb rehabilitation, and clinical applications. The review highlights methodological heterogeneity, a variety of wearable sensor configurations, and open challenges related to accuracy, robustness, and clinical validation. Finally, we discuss how explainable AI (XAI) and generative AI (GenAI) may contribute to improve the interpretability and personalization of future neurorehabilitation systems
Personality, psychological profile and motor-cognitive performance in patients with fibromyalgia: a pilot study
No full textBackground: Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, disturbances in cognitive and emotional functioning. Cognitive impairment (so-called "fibrofog") is increasingly recognized as a central feature of fibromyalgia. However, its relationship with psychological traits and personality dimensions remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to examine the interaction between cognitive performance, emotional states, and personality traits in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Methods: This descriptive pilot study involved 10 female outpatients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. Participants underwent a comprehensive assessment including neuropsychological, psychological, personality, and motor evaluations. Instruments used included the Young Schema Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Brief COPE questionnaire, and a battery of cognitive and motor tests. Statistical analyses were conducted using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: The most frequently observed maladaptive personality schemas were self-sacrifice (80%) and unrelenting standards (70%). Trait anxiety was present in 80% of participants, and depressive symptoms were reported by 90%. While short-term and long-term memory were generally preserved, 80% of participants showed deficits in divided attention, and 40% demonstrated impaired mobility under dual-task conditions. Significant correlations were found between anxiety and cognitive flexibility, as well as between coping strategies and working memory performance. Conclusions: Patients with fibromyalgia exhibit a complex cognitive-emotional profile characterized by attentional deficits, maladaptive personality traits, and elevated psychological distress. These findings emphasize the importance of multidimensional assessment and suggest that interventions targeting personality schemas and coping mechanisms may improve cognitive and functional outcomes in this population
Il progetto di vita come copione esistenziale. Pedagogia dell'autodeterminazione nella riforma della disabilità
Full text linkLa riforma della disabilità avviata dal D.Lgs. 62/2024 segna un passaggio di natura non solo normativa, ma anche eminentemente culturale e pedagogica. L'introduzione del progetto di vita individuale, personalizzato e partecipato ridefinisce il rapporto tra la persona con disabilità, i servizi e la comunità territoriale, ma lascia aperta una questione decisiva: come concepire il progetto di vita senza ridurlo a una procedura burocratica o a una mera dichiarazione di principi. L'articolo propone come nucleo teorico originale la metafora del copione esistenziale, intesa come sceneggiatura di una vita possibile e come dispositivo pedagogico che favorisce il pensare il progetto di vita nella sua dimensione temporale, narrativa e co-costruita. In dialogo con la letteratura pedagogica sul progetto di vita, vengono analizzati le implicazioni educative della riforma, i rischi di una riduzione amministrativa della norma e il ruolo degli operatori come mediatori pedagogici.The disability reform introduced by Legislative Decree No. 62/2024 marks a shift that is not only regulatory in nature, but also profoundly cultural and pedagogical. The introduction of the individualized, personalized, and participatory life project redefines the relationship between persons with disabilities, services, and the local community, while leaving open a crucial question: how to conceive the life project without reducing it to a bureaucratic procedure or a mere statement of principles. The article proposes, as an original theoretical core, the metaphor of the existential script, understood as the screenplay of a possible life and as a pedagogical device that supports thinking about the life project in its temporal, narrative, and co-constructed dimensions. In dialogue with the pedagogical literature on the life project, the paper analyzes the educational implications of the reform, the risks of an administrative reduction of the regulation, and the role of practitioners as pedagogical mediators
Diritto, cultura e territorio nelle "valli da pesca" dell'Alto Adriatico
No full textLe valli da pesca dell’Alto Adriatico sono territori ibridi, sospesi tra acqua e terra, dove identità locali, pratiche produttive e dinamiche ecologiche si intrecciano da secoli. La loro storia giuridica, segnata da forme di uso condizionato e responsabilità condivise fin dall’XI secolo, mostra come tali spazi abbiano anticipato modelli contemporanei di gestione dei beni comuni. L’evoluzione normativa e giurisprudenziale, dalla Serenissima alle sentenze più recenti, ha progressivamente riconosciuto la funzione pubblica e ambientale delle valli, superando la tradizionale dicotomia tra proprietà privata e demanio. Oggi esse rappresentano veri ecosistemi socio-ecologici, nonché luoghi di memoria culturale, in cui il diritto assume un ruolo relazionale e performativo. Le prospettive di governance partecipata e policentrica delineano un modello innovativo di territorio come bene comune, fondato su responsabilità condivisa, sostenibilità e coesione culturale