Search Results (912)

Accumulating evidence over the past decades has established that people conceptualize elapsing time along a sagittal mental timeline (MTL). A recent study discovered that representations of autobiographical memories (AMs) also proceed along a sagittal back-to-front MTL, consistent with the direction of sensorimotor experiences such as walking or running. The present investigation attempted to clarify and extend that work by exploring if the back-to-front axis for the temporal organization of AMs is a universal phenomenon across linguistic communities. An experiment that recruited Mandarin speakers as participants was conducted. The experimental task asked participants to categorize personal events retrieved from their AMs as past- or future-related via distinct key arrangements that corresponded to a back-to-front and a front-to-back line respectively. Results show that cross-linguistic variations may exist in the directionalities of MTL underlying AM processes. Contrary to the back-to-front MTL observed among Italian speakers in the aforementioned research, Mandarin speakers conceived of AM progression as oriented from front to back. The findings of the present study provide preliminary evidence to validate the predictive power of spatiotemporal metaphors rather than sensorimotor experience in shaping a sagittal MTL for AM representations, especially when the two forces contradict each other in terms of spatial directions. Full article

This article examines the relationship between cultural heritage education and the prevention of school dropout, presenting and validating the Q-PEPAS (Questionnaire on Students’ Perception of Heritage Education and School Dropout). Unlike existing instruments, the Q-PEPAS specifically integrates the role of heritage education into the analysis of school motivation, sense of belonging, and dropout risk, thereby offering a novel contribution to the field. This study was conducted with a convenience sample of 220 secondary school students (aged 14–19) from different Italian regions (North, Central, South and Islands), ensuring geographical and sociocultural variety. Following a review of the literature on the individual, family, school, and socioeconomic factors associated with early school leaving, this paper describes the development, administration, and validation of the instrument through a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach. The findings show that heritage education can significantly enhance students’ motivation, school well-being, and sense of community, suggesting targeted strategies to reduce dropout risk. Statistical analyses confirm the reliability and validity of the tool, while thematic results underline its relevance for designing innovative educational interventions that value cultural heritage as a driver of active participation and informed citizenship. Full article

Cleft palate only (CPO) is a multifactorial craniofacial malformation with significant genetic and epigenetic contributions. Among these, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of palate development, although their alterations in CPO remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we performed a comprehensive miRNA expression analysis on palatal tissues from an Italian cohort of non-syndromic CPO patients, compared with a human embryonic palatal mesenchymal (HEPM) cell line. Using the NanoString^® nCounter^® platform for miRNA profiling, we identified significant deregulation of several miRNAs, notably the upregulation of miR-205-5p and miR-200c-3p and the downregulation of miR-125a-5p in CPO tissues. Based on these expression changes, a functional analysis was carried out to identify potential target genes. Validation in primary cell cultures derived from patient tissues confirmed these expression patterns. Functional analyses and target predictions implicated PAX9, a key transcription factor essential for palatogenesis, as a probable target of miR-205-5p, while miR-125a-5p was associated with the regulation of PRTG and PRSS35—genes involved in neural crest cell biology and extracellular matrix remodeling, respectively. Although modulation of certain predicted targets of miR-200c-3p was observed, in vitro inhibition experiments did not show significant changes in gene expression, highlighting the complexity of miRNA regulatory networks and the need for further studies to unravel these interactions. These findings identify miRNA alterations associated with CPO tissue and fibroblasts, highlighting novel candidate pathways for further mechanistic and therapeutic investigation. Full article

Achieving improvement of energy performance in listed buildings remains a complex challenge due to the need to combine innovative solutions with preservation of the characteristics that define the historical and architectural value of these buildings. The aim of this study is to better understand the state of the art regarding the compatibility of energy efficiency measures with the protection of listed buildings. A systematic review was performed that included peer-reviewed publications in English and Italian from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (last search: November 2025). Sixty-nine studies were included and organized into methodological, applicative, review and theoretical-reflective studies. Results show a European predominance, particularly Italian, and identify four recurring themes: balancing efficiency with conservation, decision-making processes, evaluation criteria, and technological strategies. Current research is focusing on developing objective evaluation methods, moving toward multi-criteria methodologies that quantify aesthetic, technical, and environmental compatibility. While there is a preference for minimally invasive and reversible technological solutions, the review reveals a lack of shared protocols and limited generalizability of results. The study concludes that a strategic shift is required: moving from isolated experiments to integrated urban policies. Furthermore, it highlights a need for increased technical training to bridge the gap between research and practical application. Future research should focus on validating evaluation criteria using real cases and developing regional policy tools to support decision-making. This review was not registered. Full article

Exporting food products from the European Union (EU) to the United States of America (USA) involves navigating complex regulations and procedural barriers that hinder market access. Italian food businesses (FBs), particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often face difficulties accessing clear guidance, as national procedures are scattered across multiple sources. This paper proposes a structured three-step analytical framework to support EU FBs: product-specific analysis, identification of relevant EU and USA legislation, comparative legislative analysis via concordance tables, and identification of procedures to integrate into the Food Safety Management System. The framework was applied to an Italian medium-sized FB exporting pork-based pasta sauce to the USA. Beyond the specific case study, the proposed analytical framework was designed to be transferable and adaptable to other food categories and destination markets, providing a structured methodological tool to support regulatory alignment. In this sense, the framework can be considered product-independent but process-specific. As such, it can support both FBs and Competent Authorities in conducting risk-based assessments of regulatory equivalence and export compliance. Results indicated the need for Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), thermal process validation, direct verification activities, and pre-shipment review. Findings emphasize that operational and procedural barriers disproportionately affect SMEs, highlighting the importance of targeted support to facilitate market access and strengthen certification systems. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Italian general dentists, pediatric dentistry residents and pediatric residents regarding IBD-related oral manifestations, in order to identify educational gaps and promote a multidisciplinary approach. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a validated questionnaire was conducted among pediatric residents, pediatric dentistry residents and general dentists. The tool included sociodemographic questions, 30 true/false items on knowledge and 20 Likert-scale items on attitude and perception. Data were collected online and on paper and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and ANOVA. Results: Out of 228 respondents, general knowledge of IBD was high, while specific knowledge about oral manifestations was limited. Pediatric dentistry residents and pediatric residents performed significantly better than general dentists on targeted items (p = 0.01). Attitudinal responses revealed low clinical confidence, with only a minority feeling prepared to recognize or manage oral lesions, though most were willing to pursue further education. Perception was overall positive, with strong support for multidisciplinary collaboration (96.5%), and 89.5% recognized the role of dentists in early IBD detection. General dentists more often reported the need for additional training (p = 0.02). No significant differences emerged by sex or age. Conclusions: Our study highlights significant knowledge gaps and limited clinical confidence but also reveals a strong willingness to improve and collaborate. While the number of children with IBD seen by general dentists and primary care pediatricians is limited, considering the increasing incidence of pediatric IBD, our results support the need for targeted educational interventions. Full article

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into healthcare and public services, making user acceptance a key prerequisite for safe and effective implementation. The Artificially Intelligent Device Use Acceptance (AIDUA) model provides a multidimensional framework for evaluating acceptance of intelligent systems, yet no validated Italian instrument is currently available. Objectives: This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and preliminarily validate the Italian version of the AIDUA scale (AIDUA-IT) following COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) and Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) recommendations. Methods: A two-phase cross-sectional design was used. Phase one included forward–backward translation, expert review (n = 7), and cognitive debriefing (n = 8). Phase two assessed structural validity, internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and short-term test–retest reliability in a convenience sample of Italian-speaking adults (N = 140), with a subsample completing the test–retest assessment (n = 32). Results: The hypothesized eight-factor measurement model demonstrated excellent fit (Comparative Fit Index [CFI] = 0.984; Tucker–Lewis Index [TLI] = 0.981; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA] = 0.041; Standardized Root Mean Square Residual [SRMR] = 0.056), with strong standardized loadings (β range: 0.64–0.96) and good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω range: 0.82–0.90). Convergent and discriminant validity were supported, and test–retest reliability was good to excellent across subscales (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC] range: 0.81–0.90). Conclusions: These findings provide initial evidence that the AIDUA-IT is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing acceptance of AI-enabled services in Italy. Further validation in larger and more diverse samples is recommended. Full article

Background: Hearing aid (HA) outcome is a multidimensional construct that requires not only the analysis of auditory function improvement, but also a subjective evaluation of benefits from HAs. Indeed, subjective satisfaction of patients with HAs is not entirely predictable from audiometric outcomes such as real ear gain or functional gain. In light of this possible discrepancy the 1990 Consensus Statement for “Recommended Components of a Hearing Aid Selection Procedure for Adults” suggested that verification of hearing aids benefit also incorporate the subjective satisfaction with amplification. Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Italian version of International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA-It). Methods: Ninety-eight outpatients were randomly recruited to participate in this study. They all made regular use of HAs and were supplied with three different self-administered questionnaires. The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) or for elderly (HHIE) and the Italian translation of the MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The epidemiological features and results were analyzed as descriptive statistics. Continuous variables were expressed as means with standard deviations (SDs). Reliability of the Italian version was assessed by the following two parameters: internal and test–retest consistencies. Internal consistency reliability was measured by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results and Conclusions: This study evidenced that the IOI-HA-It is proved to offer adequate subjective outcome measures to better appreciate the integral evaluation of a patient’s rehabilitative experience. Furthermore, since it is a very brief questionnaire with low demand on time and cost involved in its compilation, it should be recommended in clinical practice. Full article

The assessment of structural degradation in reinforced concrete bridges is a crucial task for infrastructure maintenance and safety. Traditional inspection methods are often time-consuming, dependent on expert interpretation and weather conditions. This study explores the potential of artificial intelligence to support inspectors in the detection of typical deterioration patterns in reinforced (RC) and prestressed concrete (PRC) bridges, developing the VIADUCT (Visual Inspection and Automated Damage Understanding by Computer vision Techniques) software tool. Unlike previous studies, focusing only on a limited variety of possible defects (e.g., cracks, water stains), this study aims to train a deep learning model to be able to recognise a larger range of defects, such as those foreseen by the current Italian code for the assessment of existing bridges. The methodology relies on the YOLOv8n object detection model, which was trained, validated, and tested using a dataset including 1045 either wide-angle or detailed photographs taken during routine inspections. With these kinds of images being challenging for object detection algorithms (they include large parts of the background), multimodal attention mechanisms were implemented in the Graphical User Interface (GUI) through the semantic segmentation of the bridge surface using both the SAM and the U-Net model, as well as a tile reduction approach. These attention mechanisms allow the object detection model to focus on the relevant portions of the image (i.e., the bridge), while suppressing background information. Despite the limitation of the small size dataset used for training, results showed promising detection capabilities and precision. Furthermore, VIADUCT is ready to accept and use newer and more efficient versions of the object detection model, as soon as they become available. Full article

Background: Burnout is a growing concern among medical doctors, particularly in high-pressure environments, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of burnout among physicians working in a large hospital in Southern Italy. Methods: This online cross-sectional survey evaluated burnout and emotional distress among physicians and trainees at Catania Hospital using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Data collection (July–August 2025) incorporated strict anonymity to mitigate social desirability bias. Statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests with Tukey adjustments and Pearson correlations, were stratified by sex and specialization area to identify significant psychological associations. Results: High levels of burnout were observed across all dimensions: 76.7% of respondents reported low personal gratification, 70.8% showed high depersonalization, and nearly 50% experienced high emotional exhaustion. Female physicians and recent graduates (after 2020) exhibited significantly lower levels of gratification and higher psychological distress. Service-area professionals reported lower emotional exhaustion, but also lower gratification compared to surgical specialties. Notably, otorhinolaryngology showed both the highest burnout risk and the highest gratification scores. Conclusions: Burnout is alarmingly prevalent among Italian medical doctors, and there is significant variation across sexes, graduation cohorts, and medical specialties. Despite the high burnout levels identified, the cross-sectional design and non-probability sampling necessitate a cautious interpretation of these findings. Future longitudinal research involving larger, more representative cohorts is essential to validate these results and inform targeted institutional interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Worldwide, Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in youth represents a growing public health concern, and Italy is among the countries with the highest incidence in the pediatric population. The transition from pediatric to adult care is a vulnerable period associated with increased risks of acute complications and long-term morbidity. This scoping review aimed to map the available Italian evidence on healthcare transition in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with T1DM, addressing five key areas: characteristics of the transition process and involved populations, emotional and psychological experiences, the role of technology, existing transitional care models and related outcomes, and assessment criteria and tools for transition readiness. Methods: This review followed the JBI methodology and included studies focused on Italian AYAs (aged 10–24 years) with T1DM. Study selection was documented using the PRISMA flow chart. Results: Twenty studies were included. The evidence revealed a heterogeneous and inconsistently implemented transition landscape. Several structured transition projects were identified, differing in multidisciplinary team composition, organization, and outcome evaluation. Emotional distress, fear of separation from pediatric providers, and variable satisfaction with transition experiences were commonly reported. Adoption of technologies increased over time and was associated with improved clinical outcomes, although overall uptake remained suboptimal. Importantly, no Italian-validated tools for assessing transition readiness were identified. Conclusions: Transitional care for Italian AYAs with T1DM is increasingly recognized but remains insufficiently standardized and evaluated. Future research should prioritize multicenter studies, stratified analyses, and the development of culturally validated readiness assessment tools to support effective and individualized transitions. Full article

Mindfulness practices have been shown to improve human emotional regulation and attentional accuracy, yet their impact on the perception of companion animal behavior remains largely unexplored. This study investigates whether a mindfulness program for owners influences their evaluation of dog behavior and the dog–owner relationship. Participants were assigned to either an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Human–Animal Relationship (MBHAR) program (n = 102) or a control group (n = 51). The MBHAR protocol included formal meditation and informal daily exercises practiced in the presence of the dog. Evaluation was conducted at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1) using the Italian validated versions of the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) and the Monash Dog–Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS). Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) to control for age and sex. While initial non-parametric analyses suggested improvements across several C-BARQ factors, after Bonferroni correction and GLMM validation, only “Stranger-directed aggression/fear” showed a robust and significant decrease in owner-reported scores in the mindfulness group compared to the control group. No significant changes were found in MDORS scores, indicating that the perceived quality of the relationship remained stable. The results suggest that mindfulness practice specifically influences how owners perceive and report their dog’s fearful or aggressive responses toward strangers. These findings highlight the potential of mindfulness as a tool to modify owner perception, which may influence the management of canine behavioral challenges, although its impact on the structural dimensions of the dog–owner bond appears limited in the short term. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) are common and potentially debilitating symptoms of early pregnancy. However, data on their prevalence and impact in Italy are limited. This survey aimed to assess the frequency of NVP among Italian pregnant women and to evaluate its impact on quality of life. Methods: The survey was conducted in three public university hospitals in Italy during two separate periods. Women with multiple pregnancies or who conceived by medically assisted reproduction were excluded. The Questionnaire for Pregnancy Period, including the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE), was administered during a face-to-face interview at 18–22 weeks of gestation, coinciding with the morphological ultrasound. A structured telephone follow-up interview was performed within 14 days after delivery. This report presents the final analysis of all valid, completed questionnaires. Results: A total of 532 pregnant women were included (mean age 32.7 ± 4.9 years); 277 (52.1%) were primiparous. Overall, NVP was reported by 66.4% of participants. Nausea alone occurred in 28.0% of women, while nausea overall (with or without vomiting) was reported by 64.3%. Vomiting alone was reported by 2.1% and vomiting overall by 38.4% of participants. Symptoms began at a mean gestational age of 7.0 ± 2.8 weeks, lasted 9.7 ± 5.1 weeks, and were still present at the first interview in 30.3% of cases. More than half of the affected women (51.0%) reported limitations in daily activities, particularly work-related activities. Conclusions: This final analysis confirms a high prevalence of NVP among Italian pregnant women and highlights its substantial negative impact on quality of life. Systematic screening and appropriate management strategies should be considered in routine prenatal care. Full article

Crisis management at work refers to how organizational members handle unexpected or unwanted critical events in their current operational (e.g., employees) and strategic (e.g., management) tasks and represents a key factor for the system’s effectiveness and success. The present research aimed to (1) develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Crisis Management at Work Scale (CMWS), including employees’ mastery of five crisis-related facets (preparedness, prevention, problem solving, achievement and helping others), and (2) examine individual-level dispositional mindfulness (i.e., describe, aware, non-judging, and non-reacting) and contextual-level mindful organizing factors (i.e., preoccupation with failure, reluctance to simplify, sensitivity to operations, commitment to resilience, and deference to expertise) as predictors of crisis management. Data (Study 1) from 791 employees in Italy supported the CMWS’s construct validity and reliability. Data (Study 2) from a two-wave design (N = 414) involving 84 Italian organizations and structural equation model results suggest that both employees’ (Time 1) mindfulness traits and mindful organizing contextual factors predict (Time 2) crisis management dimensions, with mindfulness traits exerting stronger effects. Furthermore, crisis management showed the highest association with the “aware” sub-dimension of mindfulness traits and the least association with the “deference to expertise” sub-dimension of mindful organizing. Overall, our multi-wave findings support the CMWS’s validity and provide an overarching conceptual framework for an organizational audit on both individual and contextual factors underpinning multi-faceted crisis management. Results are discussed in light of the relevance of crisis management for sustainable organizational effectiveness as well as thriving and survival in increasingly unstable and uncertain environments. Full article

Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the agent of ophidiomycosis, has recently been reported in wild snakes in Italy, but the status of captive populations remains unknown. We carried out an opportunistic survey of pet snakes from private collections and, in parallel, performed an exploratory evaluation of a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay adapted from an established probe-based real-time PCR. Non-invasive skin swabs were collected by 32 private owners from 97 snakes, representing 31 species across ten Italian regions. All swabs tested negative for O. ophidiicola by both methods, including samples from four snakes that showed cutaneous lesions at the time of sampling. Both assays yielded consistent amplification up to the 1:1000 dilution (ddPCR 0.38 to 0.94 copies/µL for the culture-derived control and 0.24 to 0.33 copies/µL for the field-derived control at 1:1000), while ddPCR retained positive partitions in some replicates at higher dilutions (up to 1:8000). These results provide preliminary screening data for O. ophidiicola in an opportunistic sample of Italian pet snakes and suggest potential applicability of ddPCR as a complementary tool for low-template diagnostics, while highlighting the need for larger, standardised surveys and formal assay validation. Full article