Defending behavior in school bullying: The role of empathic self-efficacy, social preference, and student-teacher relationship

Being able to defend victims of school bullying is central in any intervention; thus, it seems paramount to investigate which factors may contribute to defending behavior. The present report aims to investigate whether empathic self-efficacy is associated with helping behavior and whether interpersonal factors (i.e., social preference and student-teacher relationship) may interact with it. The sample comprised 249 middle-school students (47.80% boys) aged 11–14 years, who received peer nominations on defending behavior and social preference. Self-reports were used to assess empathic self-efficacy and the relationship with the teachers. Results highlight a positive association between empathic self-efficacy and defending behavior when social preference and a positive relationship with teachers were average or high but not when they were low. Results are discussed in light of the importance of considering individual and interpersonal factors to understand defending in bullying situations and to develop intervention programs

Proposed strategic management of fallow deer to conserve endemic red deer in the Mesola forest, Ferrara, Italy

Ferri, M., Ferraresi, M., Gelati, A., Vitturi, M

The intergenic spacer region of the rDNA in Haplopappus gracilis (Nutt.) Gray

In this paper we provide further information on the genome organization of Haplopappus gracilis, one of the six angiosperms showing the lowest chromosome number, i.e. 2n=4, by determining the nucleotide sequence of the Intergenic Spacer region of the rRNA genes and its cytological localization on metaphase chromosomes. DNA sequence analysis reveals the occurring of a product of 4,382 bp in length, characterized by the presence of four blocks of different repeated sequences. Our analysis also evidenced putative promoter regions with three Transcription Initiation Sites for Polymerase I, as previously reported in Artemisia absinthium, belonging to the same Asteraceae family. A fluorescent in situ hybridization with the Intergenic Spacer probe indicates the presence of rDNA genes only in the satellited chromosomes of H. gracilis; besides differences in the signal intensity between homologous chromosomes were frequently observed, so suggesting, for these chromosome sites, the presence of a variable number of rDNA gene copies, even if a divergent chromatin organization in corresponding regions can not be ruled out

Social Anxiety and Bullying Victimization in Children and Early Adolescents: The Role of Developmental Period and Immigrant Status

Research reveals that social anxiety may be predictive of bullying victimization, but it is not clear whether this relation stands for different groups of youth. The present study examines this association by employing a longitudinal design over 1 year and including the moderating role of developmental period (childhood vs. early adolescence) and students’ immigrant status (native vs. non-native). T1 sample included 506 children (46.44% girls, mean age M = 8.55 years, SD = 0.55) and 310 early adolescents (50% girls, mean age = 12.54 years, SD = 0.59) recruited in schools in Northern Italy. Due to missing cases and drop-outs from T1 to T2, the final sample comprised 443 and 203 students from primary and middle school, respectively. Social anxiety and peer victimization were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. Results indicated that victimization at T2 was predicted by a 3-way interaction between T1 social anxiety, immigrant status, and developmental period. In particular, socially anxious early adolescents with an immigrant background were the most victimized. The results are discussed in terms of group dynamics and intergroup processes. The findings highlight the importance of personal variables in the cumulation of risks: social anxiety is more predictive of bullying victimization for immigrant early adolescents than for children or native early adolescents

Characterization of normal and "albino" phenotypes in Erythrina crista-galli

We present here a characterization of Erythrina crista-galli L. (syn: Erythrina lamifolia Jacq.) seedlings, obtained from a plant from the Botanical Garden of Pisa University. This plant produces seeds that, during germination, have shown two different seedling phenotypes: normal (NT, 75%) and "albino" types (AT, 25%). Albino seedlings survive only 8–9 weeks and their growth is dramatically reduced when compared with wild type seedlings. Biochemical investigations have shown that albino seedlings completely lack chlorophyll and carotenoids and also soluble sugar levels are lower than in the normal type. We have also conducted sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) experiments and silver staining analysis on different protein extracts from shoots and leaves of both phenotypes, and demonstrated strong differences in protein patterns. The almost total absence of putative small and large RuBisCo bands in albino seedlings should be emphasized. We have also microspectrophotometrica..

Karyological and molecular characterisation of subgenus Vicia (Fabaceae)

In the present report, we have analysed the subgenus Vicia by karyological and molecular approaches with the aim to clarify the relationships among Vicia species included in this subgenus by previously evidenced morphological investigations. Multivariate analysis using several karyomorphological parameters in addition to symmetry indices has allowed the construction of a dendrogram of linkage distances very useful to compare and to include in a phylogenetic tree obtained by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences. Moreover, a separate analysis was performed combining our molecular data on ITS sequences with those reported in the literature for the section Vicilla. Our analyses partly confirm the monophyletic status of the various sections in which the subgenus Vicia has been divided, however questioning, in some cases, the real need to maintain all the nine sections so far accepted and the placement of some individual species in the two subgenera Vicia and Vicilla

Control of the urban pigeon Columba livia population and the preservation of common swift Apus apus and bats Chiroptera during the restoration of the Ghirlandina tower in the city of Modena (Italy)

Ferri, M., Ferraresi, M., Gelati, A., Zannetti, G., Domenichini, A., Ravizza, L., Cadignani, R

Synsedimentary tectonics and sedimentation in the Tertiary Piedmont Basin, Northwestern Italy

The Late Oligocene/Early Miocene tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the eastern sector of the Langhe Sub-Basin (Tertiary Piedmont Basin) is proposed and discussed. The area is located between the villages of Roccaverano and Mombaldone, along the western side of the Bormida di Spigno River Valley (see attached geologic map). Synsedimentary tectonics strongly influenced the geologic evolution of the region during the time span examined, being particularly evident at three specific "times" that were chosen as models. During "Time 1" (Late Oligocene) gentle anticlines, aligned WNW-ESE and NW-SE, started to form, affecting only hemipelagic mudstones and creating structural highs that controlled the areal distribution of both turbidites (i.e. T. Ovrano High) and a thick pelitic slump sheet (i.e. M. Pisone High). During "Time 2" (Aquitanian) the C. Mazzurini Half-Graben developed, separated by W-E and WNW-ESE growth faults from the M. Ovrano High to the north and gradually connecting, through a gently sloping ramp, with the Rocchetta High to the south. Turbidity currents and debris flows were channeled into the half-graben, while hemipelagic limestones were deposited onto the adjacent higher areas. During "Time 3" (Early Burdigalian) the depocenter of the depression shifted southward, while the half-graben evolved into a wide trough (Piantivello Trough) characterized by turbidites. Subsequently, the strongly irregular topography was progressively leveled to the quite homogeneous landscape on which the Cortemilia Formation (Late Burdigalian) was deposited

Out-of-hospital helmet CPAP in acute respiratory failure reduces mortality: a study led by nurses

Background and Aim. Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a condition that must be treated as quickly as possible. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a common method used to treat ARF in hospital. The main objective of our study was to investigate the effect of CPAP prior to admission to the emergency room, on the reduction of endotracheal intubation, in-hospital mortality and on the length of stay in hospital (HLOS). Methods. A prospective, observational (non-randomised) study with a historical control group. Data from 3 groups of patients with ARF, irrespective of cause, was collected: pre-hospital CPAP (PHCPAP) group, i.e. 35 patients treated with a helmet CPAP in the ambulance, by trained nurses (mean age, years 80.1±7.9 SD; 14 males); hospital CPAP (HCPAP) group, i.e. 46 patients treated with helmet CPAP in the hospital emergency room (mean age 78.6±6.9 SD; 27 males), and a historical control group of 125 patients treated with medical therapy only (mean age 76.7±5.5 SD; 52 males). CPAP was delivered via a helmet interface. Results. Compared with standard medical therapy, helmet CPAP (pre and in-hospital) reduced mortality by 77 % (p=0.005), while pre-hospital helmet CPAP reduced it by 94% (p=0.011), after adjustment for age, sex, severity of clinical conditions at entry and diagnosis upon admission. HLOS was reduced, compared with standard medical therapy, by 63.5% and by 66% (adjusting for age, sex, severity of clinical conditions at entry and diagnosis at admission) with helmet CPAP (pre and in-hospital) and with helmet CPAP in the ambulance, respectively (p<0.0001). Conclusions. Treating patients with ARF of any cause, with CPAP by trained nurses, before hospital admission, is safe, reduces mortality and the length of stay needed in hospital

The Lords of the Rent

The present paper aims at evaluating which factors affect farmland rents, measuring their relative importance through an empirical analysis based on a hedonic pricing model