Revision of the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) for Use with Italian Students

Background: This multistudy report was aimed at examining the psychometric properties in the Italian context of the Student Adaptation College Questionnaire (SACQ) that represents the most important self-report measure for assessing how students adjust to university. Methods: Three studies were conducted in order to revise and improve the instrument for being more efficient in measuring adjustment to university. Results: The final result was the SACQ-SF consisting in 12 item assessing three dimensions: a) student’s perception of one’s study skills (Studying); b) student’s sense of satisfaction with courses and programs (Satisfaction with curriculum); c) student’s evaluation of the degree to which he has social skills and is making new friends (Social adjustment). Conclusions: Convergent and construct validity may be considered also adequate. In sum, the SACQSF can be considered a promising valuable and efficient instrument in measuring adjustment to university in the Italian context, and probably in the European one too. Further, as a brief instrument, it can be easily administered and used as a quick screening tool

Exchange energy dominated by large orbital spin-currents in δ\delta-Pu

The electronic structure of the anomalous $\delta$-phase of Pu is analyzed by a general and exact reformulation of the exchange energy of the $f$-shell. It is found that the dominating contribution to the exchange energy is a polarization of orbital spin-currents that preserves the time reversal symmetry, hence a non-magnetic solution in accordance with experiments. The analysis brings a unifying picture of the role of exchange in the $5f$-shell with its relatively strong spin-orbit coupling. The results are in good accordance with recent measurements of the branching ratio for the $d$ to $f$ transition in the actinides.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, 2 table

Radicalization in Correctional Systems: A Scoping Review of the Literature Evaluating the Effectiveness of Preventing and Countering Interventions

Although several prevention and countering radicalization programs in correctional institutions have been carried out in Europe and worldwide, little is known about their effectiveness. Thus, the current scoping review aimed at reporting on the state of the art of the literature assessing and evaluating such actions, identifying knowledge gaps, and examining methods used to assess their successfulness and impact. A total of eight studies that met eligibility criteria were reviewed after performing a search on Scopus, Web of Science, and PsychInfo (Ebsco) databases: Two studies evaluated a reintegration initiative based in the Netherlands; four focused on an Australian disengagement program; and two offered insights on a rehabilitation program carried out in Sri Lanka. Findings were discussed according to their evaluation methods (qualitative, mixed-methods, and quantitative) and instruments. Results highlighted that the evaluation process is still confronted with several methodological difficulties, such as a lack of agreement on how to univocally define and measure success and the identification of uniform indicators of deradicalization and disengagement. Additionally, results revealed that the effectiveness of these interventions is predominantly based on anecdotal evidence rather than on rigorous, empirical proofs. As such, it was not possible to compare these programs and determine which worked best. Suggestions for future research and practical implications for policymakers, prison governors, and practitioners are offered in the concluding section of this work

Targeting epigenetic alterations in cancer stem cells

Oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes are rarely mutated in several pediatric tumors and some early stage adult cancers. This suggests that an aberrant epigenetic reprogramming may crucially affect the tumorigenesis of these tumors. Compelling evidence support the hypothesis that cancer stem cells (CSCs), a cell subpopulation within the tumor bulk characterized by selfrenewal capacity, metastatic potential and chemo-resistance, may derive from normal stem cells (NSCs) upon an epigenetic deregulation. Thus, a better understanding of the specific epigenetic alterations driving the transformation from NSCs into CSCs may help to identify efficacious treatments to target this aggressive subpopulation. Moreover, deepening the knowledge about these alterations may represent the framework to design novel therapeutic approaches also in the field of regenerative medicine in which bioengineering of NSCs has been evaluated. Here, we provide a broad overview about: 1) the role of aberrant epigenetic modifications contributing to CSC initiation, formation and maintenance, 2) the epigenetic inhibitors in clinical trial able to specifically target the CSC subpopulation, and 3) epigenetic drugs and stem cells used in regenerative medicine for cancer and diseases

High-order harmonic generation in fullerenes using few-and multi-cycle pulses of different wavelengths

We present the results of experimental and theoretical studies of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in plasmas containing fullerenes using pulses of different duration and wavelength. We find that the harmonic cutoff is extended in the case of few-cycle pulses (3.5 fs, 29th harmonic) compared to longer laser pulses (40 fs, 25th harmonic) at the same intensity. Our studies also include HHG in fullerenes using 1300 and 780 nm multicycle (35 and 40 fs) pulses. For 1300 nm pulses, an extension of the harmonic cutoff to the 41st order was obtained, with a decrease in conversion efficiency that is consistent with theoretical predictions based on wave packet spreading for single atoms. Theoretical calculations of fullerene harmonic spectra using the single active electron approximation were carried out for both few-cycle and multicycle pulses

On the Hidden Order in URu2_{2}Si2_{2} --- Antiferro Hexadecapole Order and its Consequences

An antiferro ordering of an electric hexadecapole moment is discussed as a promising candidate for the long standing mystery of the hidden order phase in URu$_{2}$Si$_{2}$. Based on localized $f$-electron picture, we discuss the rationale of the selected multipole and the consequences of the antiferro hexadecapole order of $xy(x^{2}-y^{2})$ symmetry. The mean-field solutions and the collective excitations from them explain reasonably significant experimental observations: the strong anisotropy in the magnetic susceptibility, characteristic behavior of pressure versus magnetic field or temperature phase diagrams, disappearance of inelastic neutron-scattering intensity out of the hidden order phase, and insensitiveness of the NQR frequency at Ru-sites upon ordering. A consistency with the strong anisotropy in the magnetic responses excludes all the multipoles in two-dimensional representations, such as $(O_{yz},O_{zx})$. The expected azimuthal angle dependences of the resonant X-ray scattering amplitude are given. The $(x^{2}-y^{2})$-type antiferro quadrupole should be induced by an in-plane magnetic field along $[110]$, which is reflected in the thermal expansion and the elastic constant of the transverse $(c_{11}-c_{12})/2$ mode. The $(x^{2}-y^{2})$-type [$(xy)$-type] antiferro quadrupole is also induced by applying the uniaxial stress along $[110]$ direction [$[100]$ direction]. A detection of these induced antiferro quadrupoles under the in-plane magnetic field or the uniaxial stress using the resonant X-ray scattering provides a direct redundant test for the proposed order parameter.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, 5 table

Italian adaptation of the "autonomy and relatedness coding system"

The study examined the applicability of the observational technique developed by Allen and colleagues (Allen, Hauser, Bell, & O'Connor, 1994; Allen, Hauser, et al., 2003) to investigate the issues of autonomy and relatedness in parent-adolescent relationship in the Italian context. Thirty-five mother-adolescent dyads participated to a task in which they discussed a family issue about which they disagree. Adolescents were also administered a self-report measure assessing their relationship with mothers. Mothers reported significantly higher levels of promoting and inhibiting autonomy, and promoting relatedness behaviors than their children. Results also suggested a partial behavioral reciprocity within the dyads, regarding promoting and inhibiting relatedness, and inhibiting autonomy. Finally, mothers' inhibiting autonomy behaviors positively correlated to teens' perception of their relationship as conflicting; adolescents' inhibiting and promoting autonomy and inhibiting relatedness behaviors positively correlated to open confrontation, rejection and coolness, while promoting relatedness behaviors negatively correlated to open confrontation, rejection and coolness. The results suggest that, for Italian mothers, behaviors linked to autonomy seem to be associated with being involved in a more negative relationship with their children, even if not characterized by open hostility, while for Italian adolescents, behaviors linked to autonomy seem to be associated with threatening the closeness of the relationship. Globally, the findings suggest that the application of this observational procedure may help our understanding of youth autonomy and relatedness development in Italy, but they leave unanswered questions regarding its appropriate adaptation and the role played by cultural differences