Different Regions Of Italy Research Articles

The Role of Peace Attitudes on Sustainable Behaviors: An Exploratory Study.

This study delves into the intricate relationship among peace attitudes, personality traits, and sustainable behaviors in a diverse sample of 279 adults from different regions of Italy. Building upon the existing literature, this research affirms the influence of agreeableness, openness, and conscientiousness as primary personality traits associated with sustainable behaviors. Additionally, this study scrutinizes the unique predictive power of peace attitudes. The Peace Attitude Scale (PAS), the Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ), and the Sustainable Behaviors Scale (SBS) were utilized to evaluate peace attitudes, personality traits, and sustainable behaviors. The analysis reveals that peace attitudes significantly predict sustainable behaviors, accounting for 31% of the variance. This predictability is attributed to intrinsic motivation and value alignment. Importantly, peace attitudes extend beyond environmental concerns to embrace social justice and equity, integral components of sustainability. The findings underscore the unique and substantial contribution of peace attitudes to understanding sustainable behavior. This study not only confirms the role of personality traits but also emphasizes the importance of intrinsic values in propelling pro-environmental actions.

Characterization of Coniella granati Isolates Causing Pomegranate Decline in Italy.

Coniella granati, the causal agent of pomegranate crown rot, twig blight, and fruit decay, is an emerging worldwide pathogen with a heavy impact on pomegranate cultivation. In this study, we report the rapid spread of the fungus in Italian pomegranate orchards associated with crown rot symptoms and provide new results on fungal development, baseline sensitivity to different fungicides, and intraspecific variability by analyzing 11 isolates, representative of populations of the pathogen from comparable pomegranate orchards in different regions of Italy. In vitro assays showed that 25 to 30°C was the optimal range for both colony growth and conidial germination, corroborating the results previously obtained for Californian and Greek isolates. According to the baseline sensitivity assay on the response of colony growth and conidial germination to 10 fungicides, fludioxonil, thiophanate-methyl, tebuconazole, and cyprodinil were the most effective. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, carried out using fourteen 10-mer primers, showed very low intraspecific variability (similarity coefficient >0.95), probably as a result of the recent spread of the pathogen in Italy and the uncommon occurrence of the sexual process as a source of genetic variability. In summary, this study provides new knowledge on C. granati that will be helpful for improving pomegranate crown rot management.

Association between quality of governance, antibiotic consumption, and antimicrobial resistance: an analysis of Italian regions

BackgroundEmerging research has provided evidence suggesting the potential influence of governance on the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), accounting for significant disparities observed both between and within countries. In our study, we conducted an ecological analysis to investigate the relationship between governance quality, antibiotic consumption, and AMR across Italian regions.MethodsBy leveraging data from three distinct sources at the regional level, we compiled a comprehensive dataset comprising: AMR proportions for three specific pathogen-antibiotic combinations in the year 2021, antibiotic consumption data for systemic use in the year 2020, and the 2021 European Quality of Government Index (EQI) and its corresponding pillars. Employing mediation analysis, we investigated the potential mediating role of antibiotic consumption in the association between the EQI and an average measure of AMR.ResultsOur analysis revealed substantial variation in the percentages of AMR across different regions in Italy, demonstrating a discernible North-to-South gradient concerning both antibiotic usage and governance quality. The EQI exhibited a statistically significant negative correlation with both antibiotic consumption and AMR percentages, encompassing both specific combinations and their average value. Regions characterized by higher levels of governance quality consistently displayed lower values of antibiotic consumption and AMR, while regions with lower governance quality tended to exhibit higher levels of antibiotic use and AMR. Furthermore, we observed a significant total effect of the EQI on average AMR (β = − 0.97; CI − 1.51; − 0.43). Notably, this effect was found to be mediated by antibiotic consumption, as evidenced by a significant indirect effect (β = − 0.89; CI − 1.45; − 0.32).ConclusionsThese findings draw attention to the regional disparities observed in AMR levels, antibiotic consumption patterns, and governance quality in Italy. Our study also highlights the mediating role of antibiotic consumption in the relationship between governance quality and AMR. This underscores the significance of implementing focused interventions and policies aimed at improving governance quality and promoting responsible antibiotic use.

Sharing Experience with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Lung Cancer: An Italian Expert Panel Discussion.

ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment and largely improved the survival outcomes of patients with NSCLC harboring ALK rearrangements. Different ALK TKI compounds have demonstrated antitumor activity in these patients and are available in clinical practice. However, clinical expertise across countries varies according to local regulatory approval of different drugs, identifying multiple treatment scenarios to comply with international guidelines and clinical practice. A virtual webinar was held on July 2023 to discuss the state of the art and future perspectives in the treatment of ALK rearrangement in advanced NSCLC in Italy. The faculty hosting the webinar was composed of eight medical oncologists from different regions of Italy with clinical expertise in treating patients with lung cancer. Live-shared notes were used to produce a report to serve as the basis of a review manuscript on the topic. Alectinib and brigatinib are the preferred front-line treatment options in Italy, pending approval of the front-line medicine lorlatinib, which would be considered among the choices. Due to a local regulatory limitation of second-line lorlatinib, which is not allowed after front-line brigatinib, alectinib is commonly the preferred front-line choice to follow a sequence of alectinib, followed by lorlatinib, followed by platinum plus pemetrexed chemotherapy. Age and performance status were not considered per se as clinical features influencing treatment choice. However, treatment compliance is deemed a relevant factor in decision making with regard to the number of pills to be administered. In general, given the availability of alternative choices, the spectrum of patients' comorbidities and polypharmacotherapy interactions should be taken into account in treatment selection according to the toxicity profile of each compound. In addition, several issues were debated with regard to improving treatment outcomes, including testing, brain metastases, and management of an oligoprogressive disease. The treatment scenario of ALK-positive disease is dynamically evolving. Furthermore, not all FDA- and EMA-approved compounds are approved in Italy with the same indications. This influences therapeutic opportunities and increases the need for greater clinical expertise to help and guide treatment selection.

Italian «erudite comedy» in the sociocultural and linguistic context of the 16th century

The Italian «erudite comedy» was an important stage in the development of the Western European theater, a kind of mediator between ancient dramaturgy and the dramaturgy of the New Age, and although its artistic merits are ambiguously assessed, its appearance and flourishing in the era of the formation of the literary Italian language give to the modern researcher a happy opportunity to get acquainted with different registers of the Italian language during this period. Thus, the subject of this article is the development and the peculiarities of the genre of «erudite comedy» in the Central regions, in the North and in the South of Italy in the XVI century. The purpose is to identify the main trends of its formation. The main research methods are the comparative method, the method of linguistic and cultural interpretation and sociolinguistic methods. Earlier comedies often became subject of literary analysis, but were not used as a source useful for sociolinguistic research. The results of the work consist in generalizing existing and obtaining new information about the development of «erudite comedy» in different regions of Italy and can be applied in further sociolinguistic research because to present the linguistic situation of the XVI century in its entirety it is necessary to take into account both its participants and data about them – territorial features, regional characteristics, level of education.

Characterization of Freisa Wines from Piedmont (Italy) by Aroma and Element Profile

The main purpose of this study was to characterize Freisa red wines from Piedmont (northern Italy) according to their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and elemental composition. Moreover, the authors investigated whether it was possible to distinguish among the five different DOCs produced in Piedmont on the basis of these chemical parameters. The VOCs profile of Freisa wines was very similar, and the most abundant species detected were isoamyl alcohol, phenylethyl alcohol, ethyl octanoate, and diethyl succinate. Conversely, elemental composition allowed us to partially distinguish one Freisa DOC with respect to the others. Multivariate statistical analysis applied to elemental composition revealed differences among Freisa wines and other red wines from different regions of Italy. In particular, Freisa wines featured higher concentrations of Cr and Ni metals, which are strongly correlated with the composition of the soil of Piedmont. These two elements are hence good candidates as chemical markers for Freisa wines from Piedmont.

Detection by Sensitive Real-Time Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification of Olive Leaf Yellowing Associated Virus and Its Incidence in Italy and Spain

Olive trees (Olea europea L.) are constantly threatened by many viruses, such as the olive leaf yellowing-associated virus (OLYaV), that belong to the Olivavirus genus, family Closteroviridae. In this work, the OLYaV incidence in different regions of Italy and Spain, which represent the two most important European areas for olive production, was evaluated through the development of a real-time reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) for reliable and sensitive OLYaV detection. The specificity and accuracy of the developed real-time RT-LAMP assay were determined; the assay showed that potential cross-reactivity with other viruses belonging to the Closteroviridae family was excluded. The LAMP assay detected OLYaV with a higher sensitivity than conventional end-point RT-PCR, detecting a total of 1.34 × 10−2 genome copies. A total of 80 and 120 plants of different olive cultivars from Spain (Comunitat Valenciana, Andalusia) and Italy (Sicily, Calabria, Apulia, Lazio, and Umbria) regions were tested, respectively. The percentage of infected plants was 46.25% and 30% for Spain and Italy, respectively, while the most susceptible cultivars were “Serrana Espadán” and “Villalonga” from Comunitat Valenciana and Andalusia regions (Spain) and “Ogliarola barese” from Apulia region (Italy). In addition, the survey demonstrated that the real-time RT-LAMP showed good sensitivity for OLYaV-positive sample detection, especially on asymptomatic olive trees. For this reason, the developed assay could be very suitable for phytopathological laboratories as a reliable and efficient method for a rapid and sensitive routine test on olive samples.

Use of In-Clinic Diagnostic Kits for the Detection of Seropositivity to Leishmania infantum and Other Major Vector-Borne Pathogens in Healthy Dogs.

Canine Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBDs) are widespread in Europe and enzootic in many other countries. Though severe illnesses may occur, dogs living in enzootic areas often show vague or no clinical signs of CVBDs. Undiagnosed infections/co-infections in subclinically infected animals favor the spread of CVBDs and increase the risk of transmission to other animals and, in some cases, humans. This study has evaluated the exposure of dogs living in key enzootic countries, i.e., Italy and Greece, to major CVBDs via the use of in-clinic diagnostic kits. Overall, 300 privately owned dogs without/with single mild clinical signs living in different regions of Italy (n. 150) and Greece (n. 150) were included in the study. As part of a clinical examination, a blood sample was collected from each dog and subjected to two serological rapid tests, i.e., the SNAP® 4Dx®Plus (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) for the detection of antibodies against Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Dirofilaria immitis antigen and the SNAP®Leishmania (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) for the detection of antibodies against Leishmania infantum. In all, 51 dogs (17%; 95% CI 12.9-21.7) were seropositive to at least 1 pathogen, i.e., 4 in Italy (2.7%; 95% CI 1.4-13.1) and 47 in Greece (31.3%; 95% CI 24-39.4). Dirofilaria immitis antigens were found in 39 dogs (13%; 95% CI 9.4-17.3), while antibodies against Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Leishmania were detected in 25 (8.3%; 95% CI 5.5-12.1), 8 (2.7%; 95% CI 1.2-5.2) and 5 (1.7%; 95% CI 0.5-3.8) dogs, respectively. None of the dogs tested seropositive for B. burgdorferi s.l. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate associations between exposure to CVBDs and possible risk factors. The present results indicate that dogs living in enzootic areas may be seropositive for one or more CVBDs in absence of clinical signs. Rapid kits are among first line tools for the detection of CVBDs in clinical settings, as they are cost-effective, straightforward and quick to use. Also, in-clinic tests used herein allowed detection of co-exposure to CVBDs investigated.

Healthy orthorexia vs. orthorexia nervosa: Italian validation of the Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS)

PurposeOrthorexia nervosa (OrNe) is a potentially pathological condition characterized by a fixation on healthy diet. An increasing number of studies have been conducted on this mental preoccupation, but the validity and reliability of some of the psychometric instruments employed in its assessment are still under debate. Among these measures, the Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS) seems to be promising, given that it allows to differentiate between OrNe and other non-problematic forms of interest with healthy eating, named as healthy orthorexia (HeOr). The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the TOS, by testing its factorial structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and validity.MethodThrough an online survey, we recruited 782 participants from different regions of Italy, asking them to complete the following self-report instruments: TOS, EHQ, EDI-3, OCI-R, and BSI-18. From the initial sample, 144 participants agreed to complete a second TOS administration 2 weeks later.ResultsData confirmed the validity of the 2-correlated factors structure of the TOS. The questionnaire also showed good reliability, both in terms of internal consistency and temporal stability. With regard to the TOS validity, results showed that OrNe was significantly and positively associated with measures of psychopathology and psychological distress, while HeOr showed no correlations or negative associations with the above-mentioned measures.ConclusionBased on these results, the TOS can be considered a promising measure for the assessment of both pathological and non-problematic forms of orthorexic eating behavior also in Italian population.Level of evidenceLevel V, descriptive cross-sectional study.

Exploring the scores: Procrustes analysis for comprehensive exploration of multivariate data

Exploratory data analysis (EDA) through the projection of multivariate data into spaces of low dimensionality using methods such as principal components analysis (PCA) are at the core of chemometric applications in many fields, including metabolomics, biomarker discovery, food authentication, and many others. In addition to revealing underlying class structures in the data, unsupervised EDA methods have become a de facto method of confirmatory analysis for object classification (e.g., by health status, provenance), especially for small sample sizes, because they are not plagued with problems of overfitting that often accompany supervised methods. However, the characteristics of the scores plots for EDA projection methods are often highly dependent on data analysis options chosen, such as the type of preprocessing used, the projection method employed, the variables selected and (in the case of multiblock data) how the data are combined. The combinations of these parameters can lead to hundreds of different scores plots that need to be manually assessed for results that are interesting to the researcher. The present work is intended to expedite this process through a relational analysis of multiple results using Procrustes analysis to compare projections and applying hierarchical clustering to summarize the results in the form of a dendrogram. The software developed, ScorXplor, allows projections to be quickly assessed for their similarity and quality, with interactive plotting of scores plots for visual evaluation. Moreover, the approach provides a better understanding of the role and relationships among the various analysis options (preprocessing, analysis tools, etc.). The method is demonstrated using multiblock spectral data (UV–visible, near-infrared, mid-infrared) for flavored olive oils from different regions of Italy, implementing different preprocessing and fusion options, and applying PCA and maximum likelihood PCA as projection methods.

Estimating heterogeneous causal effects in observational studies using small area predictors

The official statistics produced by National Statistical Institutes are mainly used by policy makers to take decisions. In particular, when policy makers and decision takers would like to know the impact of a given policy, it is important to acknowledge the heterogeneity of the treatment effects for different domains. If the domain of interest is small with regard to its sample size, then the evaluator has entered the small area estimation (SAE) dilemma. Based on the modification of the Inverse Propensity Weighting estimator and the traditional small area predictors, new estimators of area specific average treatment effects are proposed for unplanned domains. A robustified version of the predictor against presence of the outliers is also developed. Analytical Mean Squared Error (MSE) estimators of the proposed predictors are derived. These methods provide a tool to map the policy impacts that can help to better target the treatment group(s). The properties of these small area estimators are illustrated by means of a design-based simulation using a real data set where the aim is to study the effects of permanent versus temporary contracts on the economic insecurity of households in different regions of Italy.

Reconstruction of the Temporal Correlation Network of All-Cause Mortality Fluctuation across Italian Regions: The Importance of Temperature and Among-Nodes Flux

All-cause mortality is a very coarse grain, albeit very reliable, index to check the health implications of lifestyle determinants, systemic threats and socio-demographic factors. In this work, we adopt a statistical-mechanics approach to the analysis of temporal fluctuations of all-cause mortality, focusing on the correlation structure of this index across different regions of Italy. The correlation network among the 20 Italian regions was reconstructed using temperature oscillations and traveller flux (as a function of distance and region's attractiveness, based on GDP), allowing for a separation between infective and non-infective death causes. The proposed approach allows monitoring of emerging systemic threats in terms of anomalies of correlation network structure.

Comparison of Different Copromicroscopic Techniques in the Diagnosis of Intestinal and Respiratory Parasites of Naturally Infected Dogs and Cats.

Simple SummaryAppropriate fecal examinations are very important for diagnosing parasitic diseases in dogs and cats. In this study, four different conventional copromicroscopic techniques (flotation, McMaster, Mini-FLOTAC, and Baermann) were evaluated for their performance in detecting intestinal and extra-intestinal parasitic elements in canine and feline feces. Stool samples from 100 dogs and 105 cats, respectively, were tested with the above techniques. Flotation and Mini-FLOTAC gave the best results in detecting intestinal and respiratory parasitoses by Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostomatidae, Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria spp., whereas the Baermann test was the best method for the detection of infections caused by metastrongyloids. These data provide useful information for veterinary clinicians on the most appropriate techniques to use during diagnostic paths in clinical settings.Several copromicroscopic techniques, including tools belonging to the FLOTAC group, are available for the qualitative and/or quantitative diagnosis of canine and feline parasitoses. The present study was carried out to compare the diagnostic performance of different copromicroscopic methods for detecting common intestinal and extra-intestinal parasites of dogs and cats. Fecal samples of 100 dogs and 105 cats were randomly selected from different regions of Italy. All samples were subjected to conventional flotation, McMaster, Mini-FLOTAC, and Baermann. Fifty-six dogs and twenty-five cats were found positive to at least one technique, and, among them, flotation (55% and 20.9% of the dogs and cats, respectively) and Mini-FLOTAC (52% and 20.9% of the dogs and cats, respectively) detected the highest number of positive samples. Larvae of the feline metastrongyloids Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior were identified only using the Baermann test in two (1.9%) and one (0.9%) cat respectively. No larvae were found with the Baermann examination of dog feces or any of the other methods. The present results show that the Mini-FLOTAC represents a possible alternative to conventional flotation in clinical settings for the detection of intestinal and respiratory parasites e.g., Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostomatidae, Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria spp., although Baermann’s test remains the most recommended technique for the diagnosis of infections caused by metastrongyloid lungworms.

Measuring Disability among Migrants with Washington Group Tools: Reflections for Field Use.

Measuring disability among migrants is a significant challenge; however, there is no consensus on how to measure disability and functional limitations. The present study reports a methodological approach to measure disability in refugees and asylum seekers using Washington Group (WG) tools, namely the WG Short Set (WG-SS), the Short Set Enhanced (WG-SS-E), and the Extended Set on Functioning (WG-ES). We interviewed 161 migrants in different regions of Italy. The recommended threshold for each WG tool was used. We identified 13.7% of migrants with disabilities using the WG-SS, 21.7% using the WG-SS-E, and 31.6% using the WG-ES. Anxiety and depression were the main weights to identify migrants with disabilities (11.8%). The WG-SS does not measure mental health, and therefore we do not suggest its use in the field. However, the WG-SS-E, together with some questions on pain and fatigue, should be considered to identify migrants with a greater risk of disability.

Application of chemometric tools combined with instrument-agnostic GC-fingerprinting for hazelnut quality assessment

The European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is a tree nut that is mainly produced in Turkey, Italy and USA and used by the confectionery industry to obtain sweets and chocolate spreads. Among all the known cultivars/origins, the "Tonda Gentile Trilobata" from Piedmont (Italy) is highly appreciated due to its organoleptic properties and considered, for many applications, as a "Gold standard". Although the use of marker compounds is widely used in food quality evaluation, the fingerprinting methodology could provide additional information related to hazelnut quality by making use of non-explicit information embedded in the instrumental fingerprint. In this work, the instrument-agnostic fingerprints obtained from the analysis of volatile organic compounds present in hazelnuts using GC-MS were used to evaluate the differences among samples from the Italian Piedmont region and other hazelnut samples of industrial interest from different regions of Italy and Turkey. The PCA revealed that the differences contained in the instrument-agnostic fingerprint were due to country of origin, growing region, storage time and conditions of each sample. Three classification models (SIMCA, PLS-DA, and SVM) were developed to distinguish Piedmont samples from the remaining ones. After testing several data pre-processing methods, PLS-DA and SVM were the best performing classification algorithms.

Deoxynivalenol and T-2 Toxin as Major Concerns in Durum Wheat from Italy.

Fusarium Head Blight is a devastating disease of wheat caused by a complex of Fusarium species producing a wide range of mycotoxins. Fusarium species occurrence is variable in different geographical areas and subjected to a continuous evolution in their distribution. A total of 141 durum wheat field samples were collected in different regions of Italy in three years, and analyzed for Fusarium species and related mycotoxin occurrence. Mycotoxin contamination varied according to year and geographical origin. The highest mycotoxin contamination was detected in 2014. Deoxynivalenol was detected with an average of 240 µg/kg only in Central and Northern Italy; and T-2 and HT-2 toxins with an average of 150 µg/kg in Southern Italy. Approximately 80% of samples from Southern Italy in 2013/2014 showed T-2 and HT-2 levels over the EU recommended limits. Fusarium graminearum occurred mostly in Northern Italy, while F. langsethiae occurred in Southern Italy. These data showed that a real mycotoxin risk related to Fusarium exists on the whole in Italy, but varies according with geographical areas and environmental conditions. Consistent monitoring of Fusarium species and related mycotoxin distribution on a long period is worthwhile to generate more accurate knowledge on Fusarium species profile and mycotoxins associated and better establish the climatic change impact on wheat Fusarium epidemiology.

Isotopic Characterization of Italian Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Intended for Food Use: A First Exploratory Study

In this study, Italian industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) intended for food use was isotopically characterized for the first time. The stable isotope ratios of five bioelements were analyzed in different parts of the plant (i.e., roots, stems, inflorescences, and seeds) sampled in eight different regions of Italy, and in five hemp seed oils. The values of δ2H, δ13C, δ18O, and δ34S differed according to the latitude and, therefore, to the geographical origin of the samples and the climate conditions of plant growth, while the δ15N values allowed us to distinguish between crops grown under conventional and organic fertilization. The findings from this preliminary study corroborate the reliability of using light stable isotope ratios to characterize hemp and its derived food products and contribute to the creation of a first isotopic database for this plant, paving the way for future studies on authentication, traceability, and verification of organic labeling.

Baby Food and Oral Health: Knowledge of the Existing Interaction

Background: The purpose of this study is to verify parents’ knowledge of child nutrition and their awareness of the interaction between unhealthy sugars in their child’s diet and caries formation. Methods: a questionnaire was proposed using Instagram to analyze type of breastfeeding; type of weaning and diet; home oral hygiene maneuvers; bad habits (use of pacifiers, bottles, and sugary substances); knowledge on the usefulness of fluoride; and first dental visit. A total of 200 parents from different regions of Italy with children aged 2 months to 6 years were contacted. Results showed that 66% parents preferred breastfeeding, while the remaining 34% chose artificial breastfeeding. Fifty percent (100 babies) started weaning at six months, 20% (40 babies) at the fifth month, 13.5% (27 babies) at the fourth month, and only 11.5% (23 babies) in a range from the seventh to ninth month of life. Oral hygiene practices were performed only by 25% of parents before eruption of the first tooth. After eruption of the first tooth, there is greater attention to home oral hygiene practices: 59% of parents carry out and teach their children daily home oral hygiene maneuvers. Conclusions: it is possible to raise awareness among parents and caregivers on the importance of food education.

Study of the Fatty Acid Profile of Milk in Different Sheep Breeds: Evaluation by Multivariate Factorial Analysis.

Simple SummaryThe quality of milk is strongly influenced by its lipid profile. The increase in fats with nutraceutical properties at the expense of those negative for human health, has always been a goal to improve the functional properties of milk. To achieve this goal, it is essential to know the metabolism of the mammary gland and the relationship between the various lipid components. Much is known about bovine milk, while the aspect relating to the sheep species has not been developed. The present work aims to investigate the relationships between the various fatty acids in sheep’s milk through a multivariate approach, which can highlight the mammary role of lipid synthesis.A multivariate analysis was used to investigate the fatty acid (FA) profile in three different Italian sheep breeds: Comisana, Massese, and Sarda. A sample of 852 animals was considered: 118 Massese, 303 Comisana, 431 Sarda. Sarda sheep were divided into two groups, based on their breeding origin (298 and 133 reared in Sardinia and Tuscany, respectively). Sarda sheep, bred both in Sardinia and in Tuscany, were considered in different groups, both because in these two regions most of the sheep of this breed are reared, and because they differ in geographical characteristics and in the farming system. The individual milk FA composition of dairy ewes was analyzed with multivariate factor analysis. The extracted factors were representative of the following eight groups of fatty acids or functions: factor 1 (odd branched fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids), factor 2 (sn3_position), factor 3 (alternative biohydrogenation), factor 4 (SCD_1), factor 5 (SCD_2), factor 6 (SCD_3), factor 7 (fat secretion) and factor 8 (omega-3). A factor analysis suggested the presence of different metabolic pathways for de novo short- and medium-chain fatty acids and Δ9-desaturase products. The ANOVA of factor scores highlighted the significant effects of the breed. The results of the present study showed that breed is an important factor in defining the fatty acid profile of milk, combined with the effect of the diet. Breeds reared in the same farming system (Comisana, Massese and Sarda reared in Tuscany) showed significant differences for all the factors extracted. At the same time, we found differences between the Sarda sheep reared in Sardinia and Tuscany, two different regions of Italy.

How Hybrid Organizations Adopt Circular Economy Models to Foster Sustainable Development

Relying on the hybrid organization literature and the circular economy literature, our study aims at theorizing how hybrid organizations adopt circular economy business models to contribute to sustainable development. Through six in-depth interviews with social entrepreneurs located in different regions of Italy and operating in different industries, we theorize that four aspects are unique to hybrid organizing that adopt a circular economy business model. We find that hybrid organizations foster sustainable development thanks to their ability to develop and maintain relationships with the surrounding organizational realities. Additionally, we find that hybrid organizations contribute to sustainable development thanks to their motivation to guard and watch over the natural environment and human beings. In addition, we find that hybrid organizations foster sustainability by educating, spreading knowledge, and ennobling the human spirit. We therefore present a conceptual model that shows how hybrid organizations that adopt circular economy models contribute to sustainable development. In sum, our findings expand on previous literature, add new knowledge, and integrate fields of research that usually develop in silos.