Attachment and problematic Facebook use in adolescents: the mediating role of metacognitions

Background and aims: Recent research used attachment theory and the metacognitive tenet as frameworks to explain problematic Facebook use (PFU). This study aims to test, in a single model, the role of different attachment styles and metacognitions in PFU among adolescents. Methods: Two separate studies were conducted in order to establish the link between security (Study 1) and insecurity (Study 2), metacognitions, and PFU. A total of 369 and 442 Italian adolescents (age: 14–20 years old) participated in Study 1 and Study 2, respectively. Results: Path analyses revealed the relative importance of different attachment dimensions with mother and father in predicting PFU and the mediating role of metacognitions between attachment styles and PFU. Discussion and conclusion: In conclusion, since attachment styles and PFU may significantly affect adolescents’ development and well-being, the results of this study may provide some practical indications for researchers and practitioners

Local structural investigation of hafnia-zirconia polymorphs in powders and thin films by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Björn Matthey (Fraunhofer IKTS, Dresden) is acknowledged for providing HfO2 and ZrO2 powders on short notice after DESY’s renowned customs office punished us. Parts of this research were carried out at Petra III at DESY, a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF). The experiments on single Si:HfO2 thin film samples were performed at the CLAESS beamline at ALBA Synchrotron with the collaboration of ALBA staff. We would like to thank Edmund Welter for assistance (in using beamline P65) and DESY for enabling this research for proposal no. 20160591 and for travel support. T.S. acknowledges the German Research Foundation (DFG) for funding this work in the frame of the project “Inferox” (project no. MI 1247/11-2). B.J., J.L.J., and U.S. acknowledge funding from the Army Research Office through contract number W911NF-15-1-0593. This work was performed in part at the Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF) at North Carolina State University, which is supported by the State of North Carolina and the U.S. National Science Foundation (award number ECCS-1542015). The AIF is a member of the North Carolina Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN), a site in the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI).Despite increasing attention for the recently found ferro- and antiferroelectric properties, the polymorphism in hafnia- and zirconia-based thin films is still not sufficiently understood. In the present work, we show that it is important to have a good quality X-ray absorption spectrum to go beyond an analysis of the only the first coordination shell. Equally important is to analyze both EXAFS and XANES spectra in combination with theoretical modelling to distinguish the relevant phases even in bulk materials and to separate structural from chemical effects. As a first step toward the analysis of thin films, we start with the analysis of bulk references. After that, we successfully demonstrate an approach that allows us to extract high-quality spectra also for 20 nm thin films. Our analysis extends to the second coordination shell and includes effects created by chemical substitution of Hf with Zr to unambiguously discriminate the different polymorphs. The trends derived from X-ray absorption spectroscopy agree well with X-ray diffraction measurements. In this work we clearly identify a gradual transformation from monoclinic to tetragonal phase as the Zr content of the films increases. We separated structural effects from effects created by chemical disorder when ration of Hf:Zr is varied and found differences for the incorporation of the substitute atoms between powders and thin films, which we attribute to the different fabrication routes. This work opens the door for further in-depth structural studies to shine light into the chemistry and physics of these novel ferroelectric thin films that show high application relevance.DESY proposal no. 20160591; German Research Foundation MI 1247/11-2; Army Research Office W911NF-15-1-0593; State of North Carolina and the U.S. National Science Foundation (award number ECCS-1542015); Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

Local structural investigation of hafnia-zirconia polymorphs in powders and thin films by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Despite increasing attention for the recently found ferro- and antiferroelectric properties, the polymorphism in hafnia- and zirconia-based thin films is still not sufficiently understood. In the present work, we show that it is important to have a good quality X-ray absorption spectrum to go beyond an analysis of the only the first coordination shell. Equally important is to analyze both EXAFS and XANES spectra in combination with theoretical modelling to distinguish the relevant phases even in bulk materials and to separate structural from chemical effects. As a first step toward the analysis of thin films, we start with the analysis of bulk references. After that, we successfully demonstrate an approach that allows us to extract high-quality spectra also for 20 nm thin films. Our analysis extends to the second coordination shell and includes effects created by chemical substitution of Hf with Zr to unambiguously discriminate the different polymorphs. The trends derived from X-ray absorption spectroscopy agree well with X-ray diffraction measurements. In this work we clearly identify a gradual transformation from monoclinic to tetragonal phase as the Zr content of the films increases. We separated structural effects from effects created by chemical disorder when ration of Hf:Zr is varied and found differences for the incorporation of the substitute atoms between powders and thin films, which we attribute to the different fabrication routes. This work opens the door for further in-depth structural studies to shine light into the chemistry and physics of these novel ferroelectric thin films that show high application relevance

Intercalation of Lithium Ions from Gaseous Precursors into beta-MnO2 Thin Films Deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition

LiMn2O4 is a promising candidate for a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries because of its ability to intercalate lithium ions reversibly through its three-dimensional manganese oxide network. One of the promising techniques for depositing LiMn2O4 thin-film cathodes is atomic layer deposition (ALD). Because of its unparalleled film thickness control and film conformality, ALD helps to fulfill the industry demands for smaller devices, nanostructured electrodes, and all-solid-state batteries. In this work, the intercalation mechanism of Li+ ions into an ALD-grown beta-MnO2 thin film was studied. Samples were prepared by pulsing (LiOBu)-Bu-t and H2O for different cycle numbers onto about 100 nm thick MnO2 films at 225 degrees C and characterized with X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, time-of-flight elastic recoil detection analysis, and residual stress measurements. It is proposed that forPeer reviewe

Systemic Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Affects BDNF and Autophagy into the Retina of Diabetic Mice

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a neurovascular disease, characterized by a deficiency of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a regulator of autophagy. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), previously reported as a protective agent in DR, has been associated with BDNF promotion. Here, we investigated whether systemic BHB affects the retinal levels of BDNF and local autophagy in diabetic mice with retinopathy; Methods: C57BL/6J mice were administered with intraperitoneal (i.p.) streptozotocin (STZ) (75 mg/kg) injection to develop diabetes. After 2 weeks, they received i.p. injections of BHB (25-50-100 mg/kg) twice a week for 10 weeks. Retinal samples were collected in order to perform immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and ELISA analysis; Results: BHB 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg significantly improved retinal BDNF levels (p < 0.01) in diabetic mice. This improvement was negatively associated with autophagosome-lysosome formations (marked by LC3B and ATG14) and to higher levels of connexin 43 (p < 0.01), a marker of cell integrity. Moreover, BHB administration significantly reduced M1 microglial activation and autophagy (p < 0.01); Conclusions: The systemic administration of BHB in mice with DR improves the retinal levels of BDNF, with the consequent reduction of the abnormal microglial autophagy. This leads to retinal cell safety through connexin 43 restoration

Good practices for the development of budget impact models at regional level

Introduction: The present work aims to discuss the current scenario of procedures and regulations regarding budget impact analysis/models (BIA/BIM) at regional level in Italy and to provide a standardized approach and detailed recommendations for developing these analyses. Method: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in order to collect existing guidelines or specific regional procedures for budget impact analysis in Italy. All the records were analysed in qualitative terms according to a pre-specified analytical framework, based on the ISPOR BIA guidelines. At the end of the analysis, a consensus questionnaire was developed to establish agreed approaches and to provide possible solutions to any critical issues. A list of 39 statements was developed. The survey was distributed to 69 experts who rated their level of agreement with each statement on a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus was predefined as more than 66% of the panel agreeing/disagreeing with any given statement. Results: Sisty-nine experts answered the questionnaire; a total of 30/39 statements achieved consensus. There was agreement on most of the statements. Time horizon to consider and costs were the issues on which no agreement was found. The results allowed the working group to define a list of good practices. Conclusion: While the structure and development of BIM are now well-known and well-applied at national level, there remains a great diversity of management of BIM tools at regional level. Consensus was reached among participating experts, as to the main characteristics, determinants and features of regional BIA/BIM in the perspective of the Italian payer

Development of Electromagnetic and Smart-materials-based devices for industrial applications

The development of Industry 4.0 will lead to many changes in tasks and demands that companies will face. The Industry 4.0 paradigm will integrate people working in the factories into a cyber-physical structure that will see a close human-machine collaboration, taking advantage of human and machine features. Furthermore, the need to reduce energy consumption in industries requires significant effort to design new technologies/actuators to realize higher industrial energy reduction potential. In this framework, the development of brand-new devices able to respond to the need for integrating human-machine interfaces, multi-DoF mechanical movements, and high - efficiency performance will be necessary. In this thesis, some electromagnetic and smart materials-based devices and sensors that could be used in Industry 4.0 applications are developed, analyzed, and experimentally tested. In particular, two devices based on magnetorheological fluids, a haptic device and some variable compliance actuators, respectively, and a non-contact torque sensor based on magnetostrictive materials are analyzed. In every analysis, two primary phases are faced: electromagnetic modeling, which involves commercial codes based on FEM, and, where available, analytical models. The performance of the devices is investigated using numerical models in relation to the primary geometrical and physical parameters. Then, due to the innovative nature of smart-materials-based devices, some preliminary practical tests are performed to verify the models and assess the performance of prototypes. Part of this thesis was developed within the framework of the University of Pisa (DESTEC) - GE Avio 2018-2020 project "Validazione tecnologica di un sensore di coppia magnetostrittivo per applicazioni aeronautiche" (Technology validation of a magnetostrictive torque sensor for aviation applications)

Development of an innovative MagnetoRheological Fluids-based Haptic Device excited by Permanent Magnets

Studies on haptic devices are acquiring much importance due to the widespread inclusion of the sense of touch in human-machine interaction. Haptic interfaces excite both tactile and kinesthetic senses, enabling a user to be in contact with an object in a real or virtual environment. Unfortunately, many existing haptic devices use classical actuator technologies, and so there are challenges associated with minimizing friction and creating high stiffness while achieving a high-force bandwidth and dynamic range. Recently, interest is growing around a new class of devices based on Smart materials, such as Magnetorheological Fluids (MRFs), that exhibit the ability to significantly change one or more of their properties when excited by an external stimulus, as a magnetic field. They could be used in many applications (e.g., industry, health-care, and entertainment) to reduce the gap between the currently available technologies and the requirements for high integration of human-machine cooperation. Taking into account the results achieved with other MRF-based haptic devices developed at the University of Pisa, this interdisciplinary thesis aim is to develop a new haptic display (HBB-PM) that excites the MRF with an external magnetic field produced by permanent magnets (PMs). The magnetic field in the MRF can be controlled by varying the distance between the base of the box that contains the fluid and the PMs. Some magnetic simulations, using a finite element (FE) model, are provided to predict the magnetic field distribution and the trend of the force that has to be developed by the actuators that will move the PMs. Then, some preliminary validation tests that will assess the efficiency of the FE model are presented, and that will be executed on an existing reduced scale prototype of the device. Finally, some psychophysical tests are discussed to test the haptic performance of the display. This work has been realized within the framework of the MIT-UNIPI project, and it has been partially developed in the MIT BioInstrumentation Laboratory (BI Lab)

Type D Personality and Illness Behaviors

Type D personality (the combination of negative affect and social inhibition) is associated with poor prognosis in cardiac patients. Findings showed that Type D individuals engaged in more unhealthy behaviours including smoking, poor diet and lack of physical activity than non-Type D individuals. The association between Type D personality and maladaptive health behaviours may represent one mechanism to explain the link between Type D and ill-health. An article regarding Type D and cardiac risk is presented. The Chapter aims to decribe the relationship between Type D and health- related behaviours