Testo, parola, sillaba, andata e ritorno. Un modello di didattica per classi a nulla o bassa scolarizzazione

L'articolo descrive un modello di didattica fortemente innovativo rivolto ad adolescenti ed adulti migranti che arrivano in Italia senza essere mai andati a scuola e che devono apprendere contemporaneamente una nuova lingua e le basi dell'alfabetizzazione

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Piezosurgery vs high speed rotary handpiece: a comparison between the two techniques in the impacted third molar surgery

The aim of the Study was to compare the impacted third molar surgical technique by means of the high speed rotary handpiece with the piezoelectric one. 192 patients have been selected among those who had to undergo a third molar surgical extraction. These patients’ surgeries have been performed by means of one of the techniques, randomly chosen. Each patient has undergone the same analgesic therapy (paracetamol 1000 mg tablets). Each surgery has been performed by the same surgeon. The patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning the postoperative pain (“happy face pain” rating scale). The average duration of the surgeries performed by means of the high speed rotary handpiece was 32 minutes, while the duration of the ones performed by means of the piezoelectric handpiece was much longer (54 minutes). The postoperative pain values were almost equal. In conclusion, the osteotomy performed by means of the traditional technique still represents the gold standard in the impacted third molar surgery. The piezoelectric technique may be an effective choice, especially for the less skilled surgeons, in order to guarantee the protection of the delicate locoregional anatomical structures

On the factorial structure of self-esteem as measured by the Italian translation of the Self-Liking/Self-Competence Scale-Revised (SLCS-R)

In two studies, we investigate the factorial structure of the Italian translation of the Self-Liking/Self-Competence Scale - Revised (i.e., SLCS-R; Tafarodi & Swann, 2001), which was developed in order to measure two distinct dimensions of self-esteem: Self-competence and Self-liking. More specifically, in Study 1 we provide evidence that the two sub-scales actually address different aspects of self-esteem. In Study 2, with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) we show that a model including the dimensions of self-esteem (competence and liking) as different traits, and positive versus negative wording of items as different methods, provide a superior fit to the data as compared to both a unidimensional model of self-esteem and to a bidimensional model not including the wording factor

CIO inventory: A new tool for measuring personality traits common to psychopathy and narcissism and their interaction with gender

A lack of empathy, interpersonal dominance, aggression and the exploitation of others are the key features of both narcissism and psychopathic disorders. With the aim to better capture the shared facets of these traits, this study developed a new tool named the Capability to Influence Others (CIO) Inventory, which is based on the pleasantness evaluation of ten items\u2013verbs presented in the infinitive form. The inventory, characterized by very quick submission, was administered to 67 males and 100 females and was correlated with the concurrent Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP). An exploratory factor analysis supported the presence of only one factor in both the male and female groups. Internal consistency of the CIO was very good for both men (Cronbach's alpha\u202f=\u202f0.85; 95% CIs: 0.80\u20130.90) and women (Cronbach's alpha\u202f=\u202f0.83; 95% CIs: 0.77\u20130.87). Further statistics showed a high correlation between the CIO and the LSRP-F1 (primary psychopathy) in both genders (r\u202f>\u202f0.47). Clear gender differences were found in the correlation between the CIO and the NPI: the correlation was high (r\u202f=\u202f0.58) in males and absent in females. The CIO may represent a quick and low demanding tool for a preliminary screening of individuals with high psychopathic/narcissistic traits from community samples, forensic institutions, high schools and company personnel

The Rasch Analysis Shows Poor Construct Validity and Low Reliability of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0 (QUEST 2.0) Questionnaire

This study aims to test the construct validity and reliability of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology 2.0 (QUEST)–device, an eight-item questionnaire for measuring satisfaction with assistive devices. We collected 250 questionnaires from 79 patients and 32 caregivers. One QUEST was completed for each assistive device. Five assistive device types were included. QUEST was tested with the Rasch analysis (Many-Facet Rating Scale Model: persons, items, and device type). Most patients were affected by neurological disabilities, and most questionnaires were about mobility devices. All items fitted the Rasch model (InfitMS range: 0.88–1.1; OutfitMS: 0.84–1.28). However, the ceiling effect of the questionnaire was large (15/111 participants totalled the maximum score), its targeting poor (respondents mean measure: 1.90 logits), and its reliability was 0.71. The device classes had different calibrations (range: −1.18 to 1.26 logits), and item 3 functioned differently in patients and caregivers. QUEST satisfaction measures have low reliability and weak construct validity. Lacking invariance, the QUEST total score is unsuitable for comparing the satisfaction levels of users of different device types. The differential item functioning suggests that the QUEST could also be problematic for comparing satisfaction in patients and caregivers

Rehabilitative of COVID-19 patients with acute lower extremity Ischemia and amputation.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and rehabilitation management of patients who undergo amputation for COVID-19-associated coagulopathy. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data for 3 patients were analysed and their rehabilitative management discussed. Results: The medical records of 3 patients who had undergone amputation due to acute lower extremity ischaemia and who were provided with rehabilitation in the COVID-19 unit at San Raffaele Scientific Insitute, Milan Italy were reviewed. Conclusion: Coagulation changes related to SARSCoV- 2 may complicate recovery from this devastating disease. The rehabilitation management of amputated patients for COVID-19 acute lower extremity ischaemia is based on a multilevel approach for clinical, functional, nutritional and neuropsychological needs. Based on this limited experience, a dedicated programme for this specific group of patients seems advantageous to warrant the best functional outcome and quality of life