Emigration and Colonies: Italian Nationalists and the Propaganda for the Conquest of Libya

L'articolo propone un'analisi del progetto di espansionismo mediterraneo elaborato dall'Ani e della sua relazione con il dramma dell'emigrazione italiana oltreoceano nel primo decennio del Novecent

Thermodynamic Insights on the Structure‐Property Relationships in Substituted Benzenes: Are the Pairwise Interactions in Tri‐Substituted Methyl‐Nitro‐Benzoic Acids Still Valid?

A comprehensive experimental thermochemical study of nine methyl‐substituted nitrobenzoic acids was carried out, leading to the final standard molar enthalpies of formation in the gas phase. The combustion energies were measured using high‐precision combustion calorimetry, and the enthalpies of formation of the crystal phase were derived. The sublimation enthalpies were obtained from the vapor pressure‐temperature dependencies measured using the classic Knudsen effusion mass loss and the transpiration methods. The standard molar enthalpies of vaporisation were derived from the temperature dependence of the mass‐loss rates measured using the non‐isothermal thermogravimetry. The thermal behaviour, including melting temperatures and standard molar enthalpies of fusion, was investigated by DSC. The high‐level quantum chemical G* methods were used for the mutual validation of the experimental and theoretical gas phase enthalpies of formation of methyl‐substituted nitrobenzoic acids. The consistent set of experimental properties at the reference temperature T = 298 K was evaluated and recommended for thermochemical calculations. The pairwise interactions of the substituents on the benzene ring were derived from nitro‐toluenes, methyl‐benzoic acids and nitro‐benzoic acids available in the literature, and the additivity of the contributions when three substituents are placed simultaneously in the benzene ring was discussed

A Two-Part Beta Regression Model with Measurement Error

There are phenomena bounded into positive intervals which show an excessive number of zero values, making ti difficult the application of standard modeling procedures. To overcome such a problem, a two-part model si often employed. The model involves two stochastic models: the first governs whether the response variable is zero or positive and the second, conditional on its being positive, models the bounded variable. In this work, we extend this modeling framework to cope with measurement errors affecting the dependent variables. The performance of the proposed approach compared to a naive procedure, which ignores the measurement errors, is evaluated through a Monte Carlo simulation study

Specialized mental healthcare use for common mental disorders and prescription of antidepressants before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among working-age refugees and Swedish-born individuals – a nationwide register-based study

Background It is known that refugees have an elevated risk of common mental disorders (CMDs, including depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders). The efect of the coronavirus disease pandemic on healthcare use due to CMDs in refugees is yet unknown, especially in socioeconomically deprived groups. We conducted a populationwide study comparing specialized healthcare use for CMDs and antidepressant prescriptions before and during the pandemic in refugees and Swedish-born, and investigated diferences by labor market marginalization and education. Methods An interrupted time series analysis of quarterly cohorts (2018.01.01–2021.12.31) of all refugees and Swedish-born, aged 19 to 65 was applied. Information on outcome measures and covariates were linked individually from administrative registers. We applied interrupted time series and estimated incidence rate ratios (IRR) of the incidence rates (IR) and their corresponding confdence intervals (CI) before and during the pandemic. Results A total of 4,932,916 individuals, of whom 488,299 (9.9%) were refugees, were included at baseline. We observed a 3% (95% CI: 1%, 5%) quarterly increase in trends of healthcare use due to CMDs in refugees, but no changes in Swedish-born individuals. The IRRs were larger in refugees whose labor market position was marginalized (IRR: 6%, (3%, 9%)), and refugees with low education level (IRR: 4% (1%, 7%)). There were no substantial changes in antidepressant prescription

Protocol for 3D photogrammetry and morphological digitization of complex skulls

Here, we present a protocol for 3D photogrammetry and morphological digitization of skulls, including complex ones with tusks, antlers, and horns, which are challenging to reconstruct digitally. We describe steps for setting up specimens for image acquisition, including camera and lighting configurations, and the subsequent image processing to generate high-quality 3D models. We also outline the extraction of morphological data for accurate geometric morphometric analyses

Derivative-free optimization: worst-case complexity for line-search methods and a mixed penalty-barrier approach

This thesis investigates new advances in Derivative-Free Optimization (DFO), focusing on complexity analysis for line-search methods and proposing a novel mixed penalty-barrier approach for handling constraints in black-box optimization problems. Classical optimization approaches often rely on gradient information; however, in practical applications, derivatives may be unavailable, unreliable, or costly to compute. DFO addresses this gap by developing methods that depend solely on function evaluations, which are crucial for applications with noisy, expensive, or simulation-based objective functions. Chapter 2 presents a theoretical analysis of line-search based DFO algorithms, concentrating on their worst-case complexity bounds in both unconstrained and bound-constrained contexts. For unconstrained problems, a worst-case complexity bound is established that matches the iteration requirements of existing direct search methods, marking a significant theoretical contribution to the field. Additionally, for the bound-constrained case, a criticality measure is introduced to evaluate solution quality, with complexity bounds developed to ensure efficient progress. An active-set identification property is also demonstrated, showing that the method can recognize and exploit bounds that are active at the solution, enhancing computational efficiency for bound-constrained problems. Chapter 3 introduces a sequential mixed-penalty approach for solving general nonlinear constrained black-box optimization problems, where traditional derivative-based constraint-handling techniques are unsuitable. This approach combines two distinct penalty mechanisms: a logarithmic barrier for handling inequality constraints and an exterior penalty for equality constraints. This dual strategy leverages a line-search framework to enforce constraint satisfaction while accommodating variable bounds, demonstrating improved feasibility attainment in constrained black-box settings. Furthermore, a direct search variant of the algorithm is developed, incorporating the mixed penalty strategy to manage unrelaxable constraints effectively. Together, these contributions advance the field of DFO by providing rigorous complexity bounds for line-search methods and a robust mixed penalty-barrier framework for constrained optimization. Empirical tests validate the efficacy of these algorithms across a diverse range of constrained optimization problems, underscoring their applicability in real-world black-box settings

Multimodal Morphometric Similarity Network Analysis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Neuroimaging studies have revealed structural and functional neural changes in individuals with ASD compared to healthy subjects. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate brain network structural connectivity in ASD using Morphometric Similarity Network (MSN) analysis. Methods: Data from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) were analyzed, comprising 597 individuals with ASD and 644 healthy controls. Structural connectivity was assessed using cortical morphometric features. Global and regional network indices, including the density index, node degree, node strength, and clustering coefficients, were evaluated. Results: Among the global network indices, when using a threshold value of 0.4, ASD patients compared to HCs showed a lower density (p = 0.041) and higher negative clustering (p = 0.0051) coefficients. For regional network indices, ASD patients showed a lower bilateral superior frontal cortices degree (left hemisphere: p = 0.014; right hemisphere: p = 0.0038) and strength (left: p = 0.017; right: p = 0.018). Additionally, they showed higher negative clustering coefficients in the bilateral superior frontal cortices (left, p = 0.0088; right, p = 0.0056) and bilateral pars orbitalis (left, p = 0.016; right, p = 0.0006), as well as lower positive clustering in the bilateral frontal pole (left, p = 0.03; right, p = 0.044). Conclusions: These findings highlight significant alterations in both global and regional brain network organization in ASD, which may contribute to the disorder’s cognitive and behavioral manifestations. Future studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these structural connectivity changes, to inform the development of more targeted and individualized therapeutic interventions for individuals with ASD

On the suitability of modernization and application of electrographic oscillographs for the continuous analog recording of seismic signals with their electronic scanning and periodic or triggered issuing of visible seismograms on ordinary paper

Depending on the characteristics of signals to be recorded and tasks to be solved, many specific technical and operational requirements are imposed on recording devices, which are best met by modern digital recording devices. However, despite the wide usage of modern digital recorders, many seismic stations in parallel with digital recorders still also use visible analog recorders for simultaneous analog visible continues or standby recording to obtain express visible records, provide operative manual express analysis of seismograms, and so on. Among various types of analog continuous visible recorders, light-beam photo galvanometric recording devices were one of the most widely used in seismology for continuous helical recording of seismic signals. However, the high cost and scarcity of photo media, their chemical processing, additional errors in seismograms due to the shrinkage of photo papers after chemical processing, inability to obtain express visible information, absence of intermediate memory, and other disadvantages create several inconveniences in their operation in current seismic stations. On the other hand, pen drum helicorders or direct recorders were most convenient for directly visible recording and its observation, obtaining and analysis of express visible information, etc. However, they have limited frequency and dynamic ranges, record mainly with friction in curvilinear coordinates, etc. Created and suggested electrophotographic (EPG) light-beam oscillographs with intermediate electrostatic memory and continuous electrostatic hidden recording of analog signals on EPG media with their helical or stepped electronic scanning, and automatic periodic or triggered issuing of visible records - seismograms on a simple paper, combine all the advantages of light-beam oscillographs and pen recorders, are free from their specific disadvantages and can be used in seismic stations in parallel with digital recorders for the simultaneous continuous or standby analog visible recording and analyses of seismic signals

Submental abscess following peri-implantitis: case report and comprehensive literature review

Background: Dental implantology is the greatest popular choice for the treatment of partial or total edentulism. However, despite its apparent simplicity, it represents a technique that necessitates adequate surgical knowledge and significant technical skills. There are several potential complications related to dental implant surgery and some of these can be particularly dangerous. The aim of the present study is to make a comprehensive review of head and neck abscess as a complication of dental implant infections and the consequent medical and therapeutic approach. Case report: A case of submental abscess related to peri-implantitis is presented from the hospital access to the emergence surgical treatment and medical therapy. The patient presented with painful swelling in the right submental and submandibular region. The surgical procedure included both an extraoral and intraoral approach. Extraorally, a right paramedian submental incision was performed. Intraorally, after removal of the fixed prosthesis screwed to a single implant, a muco-periosteal flap was elevated in correspondence of the third and fourth quadrants to allow implant exposure. All implant sites of infection and possible complications were removed. Then, Penrose-type drains were positioned intraorally and extraorally. Results: The patient remained hospitalized for ten days for clinical conditions assessment, the wounds were treated, and the drains replaced. Laboratory tests showed that neutrophils and PCR returned to normal values, indicating an interruption of the inflammatory process. The patient was discharged in good general and local clinical conditions with dedicated therapy. Conclusions: At 5-month follow-up the swelling had vanished and tissues appeared normotrophic and healthy. However, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the lower arch showed significant generalized bone loss at the mandibular level compatible with a state of advanced bone atrophy. The early diagnosis and treatment of these complications is fundamental for the patient prognosis

Borghi e dintorni. Un’esperienza di migrazione italiana di ritorno in Sicilia

L’articolo esamina il fenomeno dell’abbandono dei borghi storici in Italia, luoghi spesso economicamente, socialmente e territorialmente fragili, detentori, allo stesso tempo, di preziose risorse in termini di patrimonio culturale, tangibile ed intangibile. L’interesse verso queste aree ha determinato, di recente, la diffusione di iniziative di valorizzazione mediante strategie di turismo culturale o di pratiche innovative, place-based, incentrate sulla comunità che hanno prodotto esiti contrastanti. In un borgo in provincia di Agrigento, ad esempio, un gruppo di giovani, che ha scelto di ritornare nei luoghi di origine, è promotore di un esperimento sociale basato sull’idea di connettere lavoro digitale e valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale. L’obiettivo, è la creazione di un modello di micro-imprenditorialità che generi sviluppo e un’offerta diversificata di beni e servizi per la comunità stessa e i territori circostanti