318 research outputs found
Dropout intentions in undergraduate students: The influence of motivation and perceived competence.
No full textAim. The purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of undergraduate students persistence
and academic success in the first year of higher education, by developing and validating a predictive model of
dropout intentions. Based on self-determination theory (SDT), the model posits that perceived autonomous
forms of motivation decreases dropout intentions and increases academic success and that autonomous
motivation is explained by perceived autonomy support from parents and perceived competence.
Method. A two-wave prespective design was adopted. Three groups of freshman from three different courses
of the same department at an Italian university (total N = 388; 73,5% females, M age 21.38 years ± 4.84)
completed measures od perceived autonomy support, perceived competence, self-regulated motivation and
intention to drop out from university at the start of the academic year. Gender, students' prior education and
grades, and socioeconomic background were also measured. At the end of the first semester, information
about number of course modules passed, total of credits attained and exams’ grades of each student, were
collected from the department office and matched with the data collected in the first wave by an identification
number.
Results. The findings of the study support the proposed model for the three courses. Specifically, autonomous
motivation appears to predict academic persistence (dropout intention) and academic success. Perceived
autonomy support from parents and perceived competence predicted autonomous motivation. These effects
remain even after controlling for the influence of background variables. Differences between the three courses
are also shown.
Conclusion. According to our findings, in order to prevent freshman students from developing dropout
intentions and subsequently leaving their course, interventions should aim to foster autonomous motivation
and perceived competenc
Representations of Study and Students’ Academic Motivation
No full textAbstractThe motivation and attitudes of students towards studying influence the way they learn, their performance at school and the objectives they set themselves. The study, based on a sample of 200 Italian eighth graders aims to explore students’ metaphors of study. An integrated approach was performed analysing the data with an inductive, data-based, qualitative approach as well as a deductive, theory-based, quantitative approach. The results identified some key attributes of metaphors based on their semantic and figurative aspects. The most frequent categories that emerged are closely associated with classic constructs of the literature on academic motivation
Inclusione e formazione docente: studio sugli atteggiamenti degli insegnanti verso gli studenti con Disturbo dello Spettro Autistico
No full textNetwork-based validation of the psychometric questionnaire EDI-3 for the assessment of eating disorders
No full textAssessing the validity of a psychometric test is fundamental to ensure a reliable interpretation of its outcomes. Few attempts have been made recently to complement classical approaches (e.g., factor models) with a novel technique based on network analysis. The objective of the current study is to carry out a network-based validation of the Eating Disorder Inventory 3 (EDI-3), a questionnaire designed for the assessment of eating disorders. Exploiting a reliable, open source sample of 1206 patients diagnosed with an eating disorder, we set up a robust validation process encompassing detection and handling of redundant EDI-3 items, estimation of the cross-sample psychometric network, resampling bootstrap procedure and computation of the median network of the replica samples. We then employed a community detection algorithm to identify the topological clusters, evaluated their coherence with the EDI-3 subscales and replicated the full validation analysis on the subpopulations corresponding to patients diagnosed with either anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Results of the network-based analysis, and particularly the topological community structures, provided support for almost all the composite scores of the EDI-3 and for 2 single subscales: Bulimia and Maturity Fear. A moderate instability of some dimensions led to the identification of a few multidimensional items that should be better located in the intersection of multiple psychological scales. We also found that, besides symptoms typically attributed to eating disorders, such as drive for thinness, also non-specific symptoms like low self-esteem and interoceptive deficits play a central role in both the cross-sample and the diagnosis-specific networks. Our work adds insights into the complex and multidimensional structure of EDI-3 by providing support to its network-based validity on both mixed and diagnosis-specific samples. Moreover, we replicated previous results that reinforce the transdiagnostic theory of eating disorders
Tunisian extra virgin olive oil traceability in the EEC market: Tunisian/Italian (Coratina) EVOOs blend as a case study
No full textIn order to check the reliability of an NMR-based metabolomic approach to evaluating blend composition (and declaration), a series of 81 Italian/Tunisian blends samples at different percentage composition (from 10/90 to 90/10% Coratina/Tunisian oil by 10% increase step) were prepared starting from five Coratina (Apulia) and five Tunisian extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) batches. Moreover, a series of nine binary mixtures blend oils were obtained, starting from the two batches’ oil sums. The models built showed the linear relationship between the NMR signals and the percentage composition of the blends. In particular, a high correlation with the percentage composition of blends was obtained from the partial least squares (PLS) regression model, when the two batches oil sums were used for the binary mixtures of blend samples. These proposed methods suggest that a multivariate analysis (MVA)-based NMR approach—in particular PLS regression (PLSR)—could be a very useful tool (including for trading purposes) to assess quantitative blend composition. This is important for the sustainability of the goods’ free movement, especially in the agrifood sector. This cornerstone policy of current common markets is also clearly linked to the availability of methods for certifying the origin of the foodstuffs and their use in the assembly of final product for the consumer.</jats:p
Osservazioni intorno all’imposizione sull’impresa digitale
No full textLo scopo del presente lavoro è quello di verificare se gli interventi in materia di imposizione sull’impresa digitale compiuti dal legislatore nazionale in aderenza alle indicazioni eurounitarie appaiano soddisfacenti. Si intende, infatti, ragionare sulle disposizioni vigenti per accertare se sussistano soluzioni alternative che risultino maggiormente appaganti dal punto di vista della coerenza dell’imposizione sulla ricchezza che dimostra l’impresa digitale e circa l’efficienza applicativa del tributo oggi in essereThe goal of this essay is to analyze the provisions of law currently in force in Italy with reference to the taxation of digital companies and verify whether or not the afore said provisions are satisfactory. In this regard, the Author examines the Ital-ian provisions and tries to assess if some better options could be found to the aim of being more effective and conclusive especially with reference to the connection between the extent of the taxation and the real wealth of the compan
1H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate analysis as possible tool to assess cultivars, from specific geographical areas, in EVOOs
No full textIn this work, we tested a NMR-based MVA method to assess the authenticity of EVOOs cultivar (from specific origin) declaration by using a total of over a 100 samples coming from different selected areas of Southern Italian Regions (Apulia and Calabria). We built a reference model, by performing unsupervised PCA and supervised PLS-DA, OPLS-DA analyses on the 1HNMR spectra of a 40 monovarietal EVOOs training set. These included 10 Coratina (the most popular Apulian cultivar) together with 10 Picholine, 10 Ogliarola Barese, and 10 Carolea samples (the most common Coratina bitterness smoothers cultivars used in Coratina-based blends). The training set originated PLS-DA reference model was profitably used to assess the class membership for a series of declared monocultivar EVOO samples and to obtain a clear indication for the composition of Coratina-based blends. By using the same reference model we analyzed in blind a test set formed by 40 unknown samples coming from the same areas and we predicted their class or blend composition affinity (later confirmed by suppliers as Coratina- or Coratina-based blends). This proposed method could be a simple and quick tool to assess, also for trading purpose, the cultivar (from given geographical areas) declaration of labeled EVOOs. Practical applications: EVOO is one of the most important element of the Mediterranean diet with its numerous health benefits due to the chemical composition (unsaturated fatty acids and minor components). For this high commercial value in the recent years, EVOO has been processed to adulteration process with seeds oils, refined pomace, and esterified oils with serious damage to its quality. In order to guarantee the quality of this important product, EU Regulation 182 of March 6, 2009, stated the obligatory labeling of EVOO samples with the geographical production area for all European countries. Surprisingly, this regulation lacks of an official methodology to assess the origin and the cultivar of EVOOs. A quick and reproducible method to check the label declaration of commercial EVOOs could be attractive for industry and ensure transparency for consumer choices. Work flow chart illustrating the procedures sequence to assess cultivars, from specific geographical areas, in EVOOs. A reference model is built and its prediction capability is tested with monovarietal and blend commercial extra virgin olive oil samples
Book review: Men’s cinema: masculinity and mise-en-scène in Hollywood, by Stella Bruzzi
No full textBook review of: Men’s cinema: masculinity and mise-en-scène in Hollywood, by Stella Bruzzi. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2013; ISBN 9780748676163 (£19.99)Publisher PD
A mind–body intervention for stress reduction as an adjunct to an information session on stress management in university students
No full textIntroduction: This study describes the implementation of a mind–body intervention to reduce the perceived level of stress in a nonclinical group of university students. We used a novel approach including a single session of a mind–body technique known as the brain wave modulation (BWM) as an adjunct to a single information session on stress management.
Methods: Three hundred and six students participated in the study. A quasi-experi- mental design was adopted: Students in the experimental group were exposed to an information session on stress management followed by a single session of the BWM, while the other students were exposed to the information session alone.
Results: A 2 × 2 mixed factor analysis of variance demonstrated that the single ses- sion of the BWM was effective in reducing the perceived level of stress in the experi- mental group as compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The BWM is a very easy-to-learn technique that presents certain advan- tages over traditional mind–body methods
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