The PLS-PM approach to analyze the quality of health services over time

The study of the quality of services provided in the health sector plays a fundamental role in applied statistical studies. The work focuses on using Structural Equation Modeling Path Modeling as a valuable way to analyze longitudinal data relating to the level of the satisfaction expressed with respect to a selection of public and private operators. The aim of the study is to develop an experimental model to measure the level of satisfaction with the services provided by an external organization over time. In the work, the data used result from a survey on the services offered by Sanita’ Service s.r.l. at the ASL (local health organization) agencies in Foggia

Striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor regulation of human reward processing and behaviour

Signalling at dopamine D2/D3 receptors is thought to underlie motivated behaviour, pleasure experiences and emotional expression based on animal studies, but it is unclear if this is the case in humans or how this relates to neural processing of reward stimuli. Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover neuroimaging study, we show in healthy humans that sustained dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonism for 7 days results in negative symptoms (impairments in motivated behaviour, hedonic experience, verbal and emotional expression) and that this is related to blunted striatal response to reward stimuli. In contrast, 7 days of partial D2/D3 agonism does not disrupt reward signalling, motivated behaviour or hedonic experience. Both D2/D3 antagonism and partial agonism induce motor impairments, which are not related to striatal reward response. These findings identify a central role for D2/D3 signalling and reward processing in the mechanism underlying motivated behaviour and emotional responses in humans, with implications for understanding neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease

GraphCLIP: Image-graph contrastive learning for multimodal artwork classification

We present GraphCLIP, a novel contrastive learning framework for multimodal artwork classification that integrates visual and contextual information to improve predictive accuracy and interpretability. Traditional computer vision methods often fall short in visual arts, where context is crucial. GraphCLIP leverages image data and a Knowledge Graph to extract features from both perspectives. Evaluated on the ArtGraph dataset, with over 100,000 artworks in 32 styles and 18 genres, GraphCLIP outperforms existing models in single-task (up to +8% in F1-score) and multi-task settings (up to +6%), demonstrating robustness even with unseen classes. Additionally, visual and contextual qualitative explanations enhance model transparency. The versatility of GraphCLIP extends beyond art classification: its methodology can be adapted to other domains where integrating diverse data types is essential. (The code is publicly available at: https://github.com/CILAB-ArtGraph/graphclip.git.

Sostenibilità Finanza Mercati Ambiente. Spunti di riflessione.

Il volume raccoglie le relazioni del convegno: Sostenibilità Finanza Mercati Ambiente. Spunti di riflessione, tenutosi a Bari il 16-17 maggio 202

The last interglacial transgression in Italy: the breath of the Italian coasts documented by 461 sites

In 2023, the Italian community of Quaternary scientists produced, under the umbrella of METIQ (Modello Evolutivo del Territorio Italiano nel Quaternario (Evolutive Model of the Italian Territory during the Quaternary) coordinated by the Geological Survey of Italy (ISPRA), a Quaternary Map of Italy at 1:500.000 scale that included a database of the last interglacial (LIG) marine highstand's markers along the Italian coasts. The LIG geodatabase lists several well-preserved outcrops and cores, rich in marine fossil features and deposits, straddling the whole Italian coastal areas. This geodatabase relies on three already existing databases, integrated with data from recently published works. In addition, for each site, a re-evaluation of the main chronological and geomorphological data (elevation, age, measurement error, relationship with original sea level and isostatic adjustment correction, GIA) has been made. Coastal areas with the most important LIG inner margins are highlighted. Finally, the long term geological vertical displacement rate is calculated for each site according to the requirements of the METIQ database

Beneficial mite fauna (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) of hazelnut orchards in Lazio (Central Italy).

Beneficial mite fauna (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) of hazelnut orchards in Lazio (Central Italy). ISHS Acta Horticulturae, XI International Congress on Hazelnut (Symp nr 812, Abst 102), August 4th-8th 2025 Beijing China

Zinc Phosphate Microparticles against Nosocomial and Oral Bacteria: Synthesis, Analytical Characterization, and Biocompatibility

Nosocomial bacteria represent a significant global health problem. In addition, oral pathogens causing oral infections, such as periodontitis and peri-implantitis, are the main cause of the failure of oral implant treatments, mainly due to bacterial resistance related to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in recent years. Therefore, identifying antimicrobial and biocompatible agents, such as some zinc-derived compounds, represents a promising alternative to the development of new antibacterial biomaterials. In this study, zinc phosphate microparticles were synthesized by chemical precipitation and characterized by FTIR, DLS, TEM, XRD, and XPS. Their antibacterial effect was evaluated against nosocomial and oral bacteria, while their biocompatibility was assessed using human fibroblasts and osteoblasts. The results showed zinc phosphate microparticles with elongated morphologies, a hopeite crystal structure with an average crystallite size of about 35 nm, a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 4.8 μm, and a ζ-potential close to neutrality. Regarding the antibacterial properties, zinc phosphate microparticles showed high antibacterial activity against the eight different bacterial species evaluated. In almost all species, an inhibition percentage close to 100% was observed, depending on the concentration, while in the biocompatibility tests, particle concentrations between 0.05 and 0.4 mg/mL were not cytotoxic to either of the eukaryotic cell types evaluated. These findings suggest that zinc phosphate microparticles synthesized by chemical precipitation possess antibacterial properties against pathogens associated with nosocomial and oral infections and exhibit biocompatibility with human fibroblasts and osteoblasts. Therefore, zinc phosphate microparticles have the potential for diverse applications in the medical and dental fields due to their antibacterial properties and biocompatibility

Declinazioni della sostenibilità ambientale e politica del diritto dell’economia. Un’analisi delle politiche legislative in chiave eco-giuseconomica

Il contributo si prefigge l’obiettivo di descrivere ed esaminare alcune possibili declinazioni del concetto della sostenibilità e delle sue potenziali traduzioni in norme giuridiche. La disamina, dopo aver tracciato un quadro riassuntivo della sostenibilità come obiettivo politico, esplora alcuni settori dell’economia interessati dalla regolazione giuridica susseguente. Si esaminano gli sviluppi del concetto anche dal punto di vista teorico, partendo dall’analisi della c.d. costituzione economica, anche in relazione alla sua trasformazione ma, soprattutto, tenendo fede al principio della normatività della Costituzione. Si delinea, dunque, anche al piano della c.d. costituzione economica la rilevanza della questione ambientale alla luce della modifica della Costituzione intervenuta per il tramite della legge costituzionale n. 1 del 2022. Vengono in evidenza le disposizioni sovranazionali che coniugano la sostenibilità rispetto ai diversi ambiti disciplinari. Il minimo comune denominatore può essere rintracciato nella politica del diritto dell’economia quale strumento della regolazione di attuazione della sostenibilità. Essa si connota come un processo in itinere considerate le diverse prospettive di attuazione inerenti alle strategie europee in materia. Lo studio prova a declinare la sostenibilità prendendo in esame taluni settori economici e ambiti di operatività attraverso la ricognizione della legislazione che ne traccia le linee fondamentali di sviluppo, sul piano sia normativo sia politico. Il saggio esplora, inoltre, le potenzialità di una politica del diritto dell’economia quale fattore di indirizzo delle politiche pubbliche in campo economico e sociale. In definitiva, la sostenibilità è divenuta centrale nel contesto della transizione ecologica e della regolazione pubblica dell’economia. L’art. 41 della Costituzione viene interpretato alla luce dei parametri ESG, con limiti imposti all’iniziativa economica privata per tutelare ambiente e salute. Si afferma una nuova governance economico-ambientale in cui Stato e mercato ridefiniscono i loro ruoli. La sostenibilità diventa così una guida normativa e strategica per le politiche pubbliche. Questo processo si inserisce in una visione olistica e di lungo periodo dello sviluppo economico.The aim of this essay is to examine some possible declinations of the concept of sustainability and its potential transposition into legal norms. The analysis, after having outlined a summary of sustainability as a political objective, explores some sectors of the economy affected by the subsequent legal regulation. The developments of the concept are also examined from a theoretical point of view, starting from the analysis of the so-called economic constitution, also in relation to its transformation but, above all, keeping faith with the principle of the normativity of the Constitution. Therefore, the relevance of the environmental issue is also outlined at the level of the so-called economic constitution in light of the amendment to the Constitution introduced by constitutional law no. 1 of 2022. Supranational provisions that combine sustainability with respect to different disciplinary fields are highlighted. The lowest common denominator can be found in the policy of economic law as a tool for regulating the implementation of sustainability: it is characterized as an ongoing process considering the different implementation perspectives inherent to the European strategies on the matter. Some examples of sustainability are highlighted in various sectors of the economy. The essay attempts to interpret sustainability by examining certain economic sectors and areas of operation through an analysis of the legislation that outlines their fundamental lines of development, both in normative and political terms. Furthermore, the essay explores the potential of an economic law policy as a guiding factor for public policies in the economic and social spheres. Ultimately, sustainability has become central to the ecological transition and the public regulation of the economy. Article 41 of the Constitution is interpreted in light of ESG criteria, imposing limits on private economic initiative to protect the environment and public health. A new economic-environmental governance is emerging, in which the roles of the state and the market are being redefined. Sustainability thus becomes a normative and strategic guide for public policies. This process fits into a holistic and long-term vision of the economic development

La transcription automatique au service de l’apprentissage des langues : quelques réflexions sur la phrase complexe en français

Résumé Cette étude porte sur la transcription automatique à partir d’une recherche didactique pilote sur l’enseignement du FLE, filières LANSAD, en Italie. Appuyée sur une méthodologie inscrite dans l’analyse de la phrase complexe en français, elle aborde certains phénomènes syntaxiques à partir du logiciel de transcription automatique de YOUTUBE. L’objectif de l’activité pédagogique présentée est de proposer des solutions de transcription en post-édition respectueuses de l’oral. Les problèmes de la transcription automatique de YOUTUBE s’avèrent être des atouts en termes pédagogiques pour étudier la syntaxe du français, étant donné que cette transcription automatique est, entre autres, dépourvue de ponctuation. Deux études de cas sont présentées : l’identification des constituants de la phrase et celle des « parenthèses », via un corpus de huit messages-vidéos du Président de la République française