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In this article, ground-motion models (GMMs) for subduction earthquakes recently developed as part of the Next Generation Attenuation-Subduction (NGA-Sub) project are compared. The four models presented in this comparison study are documented in their respective articles submitted along with this article. Each of these four models is based on the analysis of the large NGA-Sub database. Three of the four current models are developed for a global version as well as separate regionalized models. The fourth model was developed based on earthquakes only from Japan, and as such is applicable only for Japan. As part of this comparison study, a general discussion on the parameterization of the four models and the regionalization of the three models is provided. The specific strengths and or weaknesses or the technical decisions and justifications of any one model are not part of this comparison. A selected suite of deterministic attenuation curves and spectra are presented for the models along with a selected suite of currently used subduction models. A limited number of comparisons are presented in this article with a larger number of comparisons and the digital values provided in the electronic attachment. In addition to these scenario calculation comparisons, the results from a standard probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) for two sites located in the Pacific Northwest Region in the state of Washington are presented. These calculations highlight the potential impact of using the new GMMs. Based on the comparisons presented here, a general understanding of these new GMMs can be obtained with the expectation that the implementation of a specific seismic hazard study should incorporate similar and additional comparisons and sensitivity studies pertinent to the site of interest.

NGA-Sub data resources are organized into a relational database. We describe the Site table within that database structure, which contains metadata for 6502 stations that have recorded earthquakes incorporated into the database. Critical site parameters for ground motion modelling are time-averaged shear-wave velocity ( VS) in the upper 30 m of the site ( VS30) and depths to various VShorizons (1.0 and 2.5 km/s). We compile VSprofiles for the global study regions and use these data to compute VS30where profile data is available from reliable sources. When this is not the case, which is commonly encountered in many regions, we adopt a proxy-based VS30-estimation framework whereby estimates are provided, in order of preference, from locally derived models, models derived for a source region and applied to a different target region with some degree of validation, and global or source-region models applied to a target region without validation. Epistemic uncertainties in category median VS30are provided when proxy-based models are required but their validation is not possible. Sediment depth terms are also evaluated using measured VSprofiles that exceed measured velocity thresholds where available or are estimated for regions having 3D seismic velocity models (e.g. Cascadia, Japan, New Zealand, and Taiwan).

We describe source and path attributes of the Next Generation of Ground-Motion Attenuation for Subduction zones (NGA-Sub) project relational database. The database contains 991 earthquakes between 1937 and 2016 that meet quality assurance standards and have assigned event types (mostly interface or intraslab). Data curation emphasized large magnitudes: 73% of events have M > 5 and 13 events have M > 8. Event attributes in the database can be broadly divided into those related to the moment tensor, those related to rupture surface geometry (referred to as finite-fault parameters), and categorizations by type (e.g. interface, intraslab) and sequence classification (mainshock, aftershock). Earthquake information and moment tensor parameters compiled from earthquake catalogs include event date and origin time, hypocenter location, seismic moment, and the strike, dip, and rake angles of nodal planes. Finite-fault parameters include along-strike length, down-dip width, and depth to top-of-rupture for one or more rectangles used to parameterize rupture surface geometry. These are modified from models in literature where available, and otherwise are simulated using procedures customized for subduction earthquakes. Rupture distance and other metrics are computed using finite-fault representations of sources, and (as applicable) are partitioned into forearc and backarc components. Forearc and backarc regions are defined based on volcano locations, and are assigned to events and sites.

This article summarizes the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) Subduction (NGA-Sub) project, a major research program to develop a database and ground motion models (GMMs) for subduction regions. A comprehensive database of subduction earthquakes recorded worldwide was developed. The database includes a total of 214,020 individual records from 1,880 subduction events, which is by far the largest database of all the NGA programs. As part of the NGA-Sub program, four GMMs were developed. Three of them are global subduction GMMs with adjustment factors for up to seven worldwide regions: Alaska, Cascadia, Central America and Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, South America, and Taiwan. The fourth GMM is a new Japan-specific model. The GMMs provide median predictions, and the associated aleatory variability, of RotD50 horizontal components of peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and 5%-damped pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) at oscillator periods ranging from 0.01 to 10 s. Three GMMs also quantified “within-model” epistemic uncertainty of the median prediction, which is important in regions with sparse ground motion data, such as Cascadia. In addition, a damping scaling model was developed to scale the predicted 5%-damped PSA of horizontal components to other damping ratios ranging from 0.5% to 30%. The NGA-Sub flatfile, which was used for the development of the NGA-Sub GMMs, and the NGA-Sub GMMs coded on various software platforms, have been posted for public use.

The Next-Generation Attenuation for subduction zone regions project (NGA-Sub) has developed data resources and ground motion models for global subduction zone regions. Here we describe the NGA-Sub database. To optimize the efficiency of data storage, access, and updating, data resources for the NGA-Sub project are organized into a relational database consisting of 20 tables containing data, metadata, and computed quantities (e.g. intensity measures, distances). A database schema relates fields in tables to each other through a series of primary and foreign keys. Model developers and other users mostly interact with the data through a flatfile generated as a time-stamped output of the database. We describe the structure of the relational database, the ground motions compiled for the project, and the means by which the data can be accessed. The database contains 71,340 three-component records from 1880 earthquakes from seven global subduction zone regions: Alaska, Central America and Mexico, Cascadia, Japan, New Zealand, South America, and Taiwan. These data were processed on a component-specific basis to minimize noise effects in the data and remove baseline drifts. Provided ground motion intensity measures include peak acceleration, peak velocity, and 5%-damped pseudo-spectral accelerations for a range of oscillator periods.

This article develops global models of damping scaling factors (DSFs) for subduction zone earthquakes that are functions of the damping ratio, spectral period, earthquake magnitude, and distance. The Next Generation Attenuation for subduction earthquakes (NGA-Sub) project has developed the largest uniformly processed database of recorded ground motions to date from seven subduction regions: Alaska, Cascadia, Central America and Mexico, South America, Japan, Taiwan, and New Zealand. NGA-Sub used this database to develop new ground motion models (GMMs) at a reference 5% damping ratio. We worked with the NGA-Sub project team to develop an extended database that includes pseudo-spectral accelerations (PSA) for 11 damping ratios between 0.5% and 30%. We use this database to develop parametric models of DSF for both interface and intraslab subduction earthquakes that can be used to adjust any subduction GMM from a reference 5% damping ratio to other damping ratios. The DSF is strongly influenced by the response spectral shape and the duration of motion; therefore, in addition to the damping ratio, the median DSF model uses spectral period, magnitude, and distance as surrogate predictor variables to capture the effects of the spectral shape and the duration of motion. We also develop parametric models for the standard deviation of DSF. The models presented in this article are for the RotD50 horizontal component of PSA and are compared with the models for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions. Some noticeable differences arise from the considerably longer duration of interface records for very large magnitude events and the enriched high-frequency content of intraslab records, compared with shallow crustal earthquakes. Regional differences are discussed by comparing the proposed global models with the data from each subduction region along with recommendations on the applicability of the models.

L'articolo delinea l'architettura di un algoritmo decisionale pensato a supporto di un metodo di scoring informatizzato da applicare alla procedura osservativa semi-strutturata del Lausanne Trilogue Play (LTP). Tale metodo consente l'individuazione del tipo di alleanza familiare prevalente a partire dai punteggi espressi dal clinico nel set delle 15 scale previste dalla procedura Viene pertanto descritto, in maniera dettagliata, il lavoro di operazionalizzazione dei differenti tipi di alleanza familiare, sviluppato con preciso riferimento al manuale di utilizzo del LTP (Sistema FAAS 6.3). Sono presentate, infine, le possibili ricadute cliniche ed organizzative dell'utilizzo dell'algoritmo nella valutazione di sistemi familiari triadici, entro il contesto sanitario pubblico dell'UO di Psicologia Clinica Minori e Famiglie.

The purpose of the present work is to expose the defects of parietal bone ossification and to identify the criteria for differential diagnosis and brain changes related to the condition, with particular attention to the venous developmental anomalies and the pathological features associated. Foramina parietalia permagna (FPP) are caused by an insufficient intramembranous ossification around the parietal notch that is normally obliterated in the fifth month of normal foetal development. During the first few years of life as calvarial growth continues, cranium bifidum tends to resolve into two distinct, large parietal foramina. Most people with FPP have a positive family history as the condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with high, but incomplete penetrance. Mutations of either MSX2 or ALX4 genes are associated with enlarged parietal foramina. Meningeal cortical vascular malformation of the straight sinus and persistent falcine sinus have also been reported in the literature as possible associated anomalies.

L'articolo descrive l'esperienza dell'ascolto dei figli da parte del giudice - affiancato dallo psicologo - nei procedimenti giudiziali di separazione e divorzio. Si tratta di una procedura coerente con le convenzioni internazionali per i diritti dei bambini e degli adolescenti, ma essa può essere considerata come un'occasione importante affinché tutti gli adulti - genitori, avvocati e giudici - tengano conto della voce dei figli per convergere verso i loro obiettivi evolutivi. Dopo aver passato in rassegna alcuni principi teorici che consentono di comprendere la posizione dei figli rispetto al conflitto genitoriale, l'articolo descrive i risultati di un'indagine empirica che ha permesso di rilevare un'alta percentuale di ragazzi che - nonostante le controversie legali dei genitori - esprimono l'esigenza di mantenere un rapporto equidistante che garantisca la loro sicurezza emotiva e sociale. Ciò nonostante, gli esempi che vengono descritti propongono una riflessione sul rischio che i figli del divorzio si trovino a lungo a dover proporre un'inversione di ruolo rispetto agli adulti che non trovano una via d'uscita dal conflitto.

Objective: The study aims to provide a preliminary examination of the psychometric properties of the Italian version of Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse (MMEA) and aims to investigate consequences of emotional abuse for the relationship, help-seeking and disclosure behaviors, among a sample of lesbian women. Methods and participants: One hundred and sixty-five lesbian volunteers filled in a self-report questionnaire including a measure of emotional abuse (MMEA) investigating the consequences of the abuse for the relationship and their disclosure and help-seeking behaviors. Results: Structural equation modeling (SEM) confirmed the four-factor structure of the MMEA among the sample, and indicated MMEA as a valid tool to measure the phenomenon among Italian lesbian women. As for the consequences of the emotional abuse, most of the participants continued their relationship after the abuse and chose not to talk about the episodes to anyone. When opening up about the abuse, participants mainly reported it to close friends and psychologists and/or psychotherapists. These results have important clinical and policy implications as they provide some indications to be taken into account by mental health professionals and policymakers working with abused lesbian clients.

This report is one of a series of reports documenting the methods and findings of a multi-year, multi-disciplinary project coordinated by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) and funded by the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). The overall project is titled “Quantifying the Performance of Retrofit of Cripple Walls and Sill Anchorage in Single-Family Wood-Frame Buildings,” henceforth referred to as the “PEER-CEA Project.” The overall objective of the PEER–CEA project is to provide scientifically based information (e.g., testing, analysis, and resulting loss models) that measure and assess the effectiveness of seismic retrofit to reduce the risk of damage and associated losses (repair costs) of wood-frame houses with cripple wall and sill anchorage deficiencies as well as retrofitted conditions that address those deficiencies. Tasks that support and inform the loss-modeling effort are: (1) collecting and summarizing existing information and results of previous research on the performance of wood-frame houses; (2) identifying construction features to characterize alternative variants of wood-frame houses; (3) characterizing earthquake hazard and ground motions at representative sites in California; (4) developing cyclic loading protocols and conducting laboratory tests of cripple wall panels, wood-frame wall subassemblies, and sill anchorages to measure and document their response (strength and stiffness) under cyclic loading; and (5) the computer modeling, simulations, and the development of loss models as informed by a workshop with claims adjustors. This report is a product of Working Group 7: Reporting and is a summary of the PEER–CEA Project work performed by Working Groups 1–6. This report does not present new information apart from the rest of the project, and its purpose is to serve as a reference for researchers and catastrophe modelers wishing to understand the objectives and key findings of the project. The key overall findings of the PEER–CEA Project are summarized in Chapters 8 and 10, which describe the efforts of the WG5 and WG6 Working Groups. The reader is referred to the individual reports prepared by the Working Groups for comprehensive information on the tasks, methodologies, and results of each.

Ground-motion models (GMMs) for subduction earthquakes recently developed as part of the NGA-Subduction (NGA-Sub) project are compared in this report. The three models presented in this comparison report are documented in their respective PEER reports. Two of the models are developed for a global version and as well regionalized models. The third model is developed based on earthquakes contain in the NGA-Sub dataset only from Japan and as such is applicable for Japan. As part of the comparisons presented in this report, deterministic calculations are provided for the global and regional cases amongst the models. The digital values and additional plots from these deterministic comparisons are provided as part of the electronic supplement for this report. In addition, ground-motion estimates are provided for currently published subduction GMMs. Two example probabilistic seismic hazard analysis calculations are also presented for two sites located in the Pacific Northwest Region in the state of Washington. Based on the limited comparisons presented in this report, a general understanding of these new GMMs can be appreciated with the expectation that the implementation for a specific seismic hazard study should incorporate similar and additional comparisons and sensitivity studies similar to the ones presented in this report.

This report is one of a series of reports documenting the methods and findings of a multi-year, multi-disciplinary project coordinated by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) and funded by the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). The overall project is titled “Quantifying the Performance of Retrofit of Cripple Walls and Sill Anchorage in Single-Family Wood-Frame Buildings,” henceforth referred to as the “PEER–CEA Project.” The overall objective of the PEER–CEA Project is to provide scientifically based information (e.g., testing, analysis, and resulting loss models) that measure and assess the effectiveness of seismic retrofit to reduce the risk of damage and associated losses (repair costs) of wood-frame houses with cripple wall and sill anchorage deficiencies as well as retrofitted conditions that address those deficiencies. Tasks that support and inform the loss-modeling effort are: (1) collecting and summarizing existing information and results of previous research on the performance of wood-frame houses; (2) identifying construction features to characterize alternative variants of wood-frame houses; (3) characterizing earthquake hazard and ground motions at representative sites in California; (4) developing cyclic loading protocols and conducting laboratory tests of cripple wall panels, wood-frame wall subassemblies, and sill anchorages to measure and document their response (strength and stiffness) under cyclic loading; and (5) the computer modeling, simulations, and the development of loss models as informed by a workshop with claims adjustors. This report is a product of Working Group 3 (WG3), Task 3.1: Selecting and Scaling Ground-motion records. The objective of Task 3.1 is to provide suites of ground motions to be used by other working groups (WGs), especially Working Group 5: Analytical Modeling (WG5) for Simulation Studies. The ground motions used in the numerical simulations are intended to represent seismic hazard at the building site. The seismic hazard is dependent on the location of the site relative to seismic sources, the characteristics of the seismic sources in the region and the local soil conditions at the site. To achieve a proper representation of hazard across the State of California, ten sites were selected, and a site-specific probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) was performed at each of these sites for both a soft soil (Vs30 = 270 m/sec) and a stiff soil (Vs30=760 m/sec). The PSHA used the UCERF3 seismic source model, which represents the latest seismic source model adopted by the USGS [2013] and NGA-West2 ground-motion models. The PSHA was carried out for structural periods ranging from 0.01 to 10 sec. At each site and soil class, the results from the PSHA—hazard curves, hazard deaggregation, and uniform-hazard spectra (UHS)—were extracted for a series of ten return periods, prescribed by WG5 and WG6, ranging from 15.5–2500 years. For each case (site, soil class, and return period), the UHS was used as the target spectrum for selection and modification of a suite of ground motions. Additionally, another set of target spectra based on “Conditional Spectra” (CS), which are more realistic than UHS, was developed [Baker and Lee 2018]. The Conditional Spectra are defined by the median (Conditional Mean Spectrum) and a period-dependent variance. A suite of at least 40 record pairs (horizontal) were selected and modified for each return period and target-spectrum type. Thus, for each ground-motion suite, 40 or more record pairs were selected using the deaggregation of the hazard, resulting in more than 200 record pairs per target-spectrum type at each site. The suites contained more than 40 records in case some were rejected by the modelers due to secondary characteristics; however, none were rejected, and the complete set was used. For the case of UHS as the target spectrum, the selected motions were modified (scaled) such that the average of the median spectrum (RotD50) [Boore 2010] of the ground-motion pairs follow the target spectrum closely within the period range of interest to the analysts. In communications with WG5 researchers, for ground-motion (time histories, or time series) selection and modification, a period range between 0.01–2.0 sec was selected for this specific application for the project. The duration metrics and pulse characteristics of the records were also used in the final selection of ground motions. The damping ratio for the PSHA and ground-motion target spectra was set to 5%, which is standard practice in engineering applications. For the cases where the CS was used as the target spectrum, the ground-motion suites were selected and scaled using a modified version of the conditional spectrum ground-motion selection tool (CS-GMS tool) developed by Baker and Lee [2018]. This tool selects and scales a suite of ground motions to meet both the median and the user-defined variability. This variability is defined by the relationship developed by Baker and Jayaram [2008]. The computation of CS requires a structural period for the conditional model. In collaboration with WG5 researchers, a conditioning period of 0.25 sec was selected as a representative of the fundamental mode of vibration of the buildings of interest in this study. Working Group 5 carried out a sensitivity analysis of using other conditioning periods, and the results and discussion of selection of conditioning period are reported in Section 4 of the WG5 PEER report entitled Technical Background Report for Structural Analysis and Performance Assessment. The WG3.1 report presents a summary of the selected sites, the seismic-source characterization model, and the ground-motion characterization model used in the PSHA, followed by selection and modification of suites of ground motions. The Record Sequence Number (RSN) and the associated scale factors are tabulated in the Appendices of this report, and the actual time-series files can be downloaded from the PEER Ground-motion database Portal (https://ngawest2.berkeley.edu/)(link is external).

Ipoacusia e infezione congenita da citomegalovirus: i risultati di uno studio retrospettivo di 11 anni basato sui dati di laboratorio.Il citomegalovirus è la più comune causa di infezione congenita nei paesi industrializzati, con una prevalenza stimata intorno allo 0.3-2% dei nati vivi. Di questi, il 10-15% presenta sequele tardive tra cui deficit visivi, uditivi, ritardo mentale. La infezione congenita da citomegalovirus, ad oggi, è ancora ritenuta la principale causa di ipoacusia neurosensoriale infantile su base non genetica. Sebbene tale correlazione sia stata descritta più di 50 anni fa, la storia naturale del coinvolgimento dell’orecchio interno non è stata ancora completamente definita. La ipoacusia neurosensoriale è la sequela più frequente ed in una percentuale variabile, a seconda delle casistiche fino al 30%, la soglia è caratterizzata da fluttuazioni o deterioramento progressivo. Lo scopo di questo studio è stato quello di valutare la prevalenza della ipoacusia nei casi di infezione congenita da CMV della provincia di Modena, partendo dal data base del laboratorio di Microbiologia e Virologia, centro di riferimento per la intera provincia. Inoltre, ci si è proposti di valutare la entità della ipoacusia come sequela tardiva. Sono stati arruolati tutti i bambini sottoposti ad esame delle urine per sospetta infezione da CMV o mediante ricerca del DNA virale su Guthrie Card, nel periodo compreso tra gennaio 2004 e dicembre 2014. Mediante il contributo dei pediatri di famiglia e del servizio di Audiologia di Modena sono state accolte le informazioni cliniche sulla eventuale presenza alla nascita o insorgenza successiva di ipoacusia, escludendo dallo studio i casi in cui ciò non è stato possibile. I risultati hanno dimostrato una prevalenza annuale di infezione congenita da citomegalovirus stabile nel tempo nonostante l’aumento progressivo dei nati sottoposti al test. La prevalenza della ipoacusia nei casi di infezione congenita è in linea con la letteratura mentre non sono emersi, nel lungo periodo, casi con ipoacusia media/severa bilaterale ad insorgenza tardiva. La introduzione dello screening audiologico neonatale nella nostra regione (2012) ha permesso una diagnosi precoce della ipoacusia in quanto i nati con esito fail alle TEOAE venivano sottoposti anche al test per la ricerca del virus nelle urine. Pur con tutti i limiti di uno studio basato su revisione di casistica, possiamo concludere che permane la necessità di studi epidemiologici europei che consentano di definire meglio la relazione tra infezione congenita da CMV e patologia dell’orecchio interno in quanto l’impatto dei fattori ambientali e genetici non è ancora del tutto chiarito. La sinergia tra screening audiologico neonatale ed esecuzione del test per la ricerca del virus nelle urine si è dimostrata molto proficua.Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is considered the main cause of infantile non-genetic neurosensory hearing loss. Although this correlation was described more than 50 years ago, the natural history of internal ear involvement has not yet been fully defined. Hearing loss is the most frequent sequela and is seen in a variable percentage up to 30%; the hearing threshold is characterised by fluctuations or progressive deterioration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hearing loss in cases of congenital CMV infection from Modena county, starting from the database of the microbiology and virology reference laboratory. All children undergoing urine testing for suspected CMV infection or viral DNA testing on Guthrie Card in the period between January 2004 and December 2014 were enrolled in the study. Family paediatricians were contacted and asked about clinical information on the possible presence at birth or subsequent occurrence of hearing loss, excluding cases where this was not possible. The results showed an annual prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection among suspected cases that was stable over time despite the progressive increase in subjects tested. The prevalence of hearing loss was in line with the literature, whereas in long-term follow-up cases of moderate, medium-to-severe hearing loss with late onset were not detected. The introduction of newborn hearing screening in the county has allowed early diagnosis of hearing loss at birth as non-TEOAE-born births underwent a urine virus test. Moreover, despite all the limitations of the study, we can conclude that European epidemiological studies are needed to better define the relationship between congenital CMV infection and internal ear disease as the impact of environmental and genetic factors is still not entirely clarified.

The 2016–2017 Central Italy earthquake sequence consisted of several moderately high-magnitude earthquakes, between M5.5 and M6.5, each centered in a different location and with its own sequences of aftershocks spanning several months. To study the effects of this earthquake sequence on the built environment and the impact on the communities, a collaborative reconnaissance effort was organized by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), the Eucentre Foundation, the European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCentre), and the Rete dei Laboratori Universitari di Ingegneria Sismica (ReLuis). The effort consisted of two reconnaissance missions: one following the Amatrice Earthquake of 24 August 2016 and one after the end of the earthquake sequence, in May 2017. One objective of the reconnaissance effort was to evaluate existing strengthening methodologies and assess their effectiveness in mitigating the damaging effects of ground shaking. Parallel studies by the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance (GEER) Association, presented in a companion paper, demonstrate that variations in-ground motions due to topographic site effects had a significant impact on damage distribution in the affected area. This paper presents that, in addition to these ground motion variations, variations in the vulnerability of residential and critical facilities were observed to have a significant impact on the level of damage in the region. The damage to the historical centers of Amatrice and Norcia will be used in this evaluation: the historical center of Amatrice was devastated by the sequence of earthquakes; the significant damage in Norcia was localized to individual buildings. Amatrice has not experienced the same number of devastating earthquakes as Norcia in the last 150 years. As a result, its building stock is much older than that of Norcia and there appeared to be little visual evidence of strengthening of the buildings. The distribution of damage observed throughout the region was found to be indicative of the effectiveness of strengthening and of the need for a comprehensive implementation of retrofit policies.

Little is known about the interactions of families where there is a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study applies the Lausanne Trilogue Play (LTP) to explore both its applicability to this population as well as to assess resources and areas of deficit in these families. The sample consisted of 68 families with a child with ASD, and 43 families with a typically developing (TD) child. With respect to the global score for family coordination there were several negative correlations: the more severe the symptoms (based on the child’s ADOS score), the more family coordination was dysfunctional. This correlation was particularly high when parents had to play together with the child. In the parts in which only one of the parents played actively with the child, while the other was simply present, some families did achieve scores in the functional range, despite the child’s symptom severity. The outcomes are discussed in terms of their clinical implications both for assessment and for intervention.

Current guidelines for the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) in children and adolescents underline the central role of parents’ involvement for positive therapy outcomes. However, little is known about the influence of cooperation between the parental couple on family functioning and the maintenance of food symptoms in the anorexic child. This exploratory study reports preliminary data on coparenting and family functioning in families of adolescents with AN and their associations with food symptoms, in terms of body mass index (BMI). The sample consisted of 24 families of adolescents with AN, who had been admitted to a specialized tertiary level children’s hospital. Family coordination was evaluating using the Lausanne Trilogue Play (LTP) and coparenting style was measured using the Coparenting and Family Rating System (CFRS). Significant differences were found for different LTP functions (Friedman’s chi-square = 52.188; p

Il lavoro focalizza il fenomeno dell’alienazione genitoriale che in alcuni casi caratterizza le separazioni e i divorzi conflittuali e i contributi di madri, padri e figli al processo di estraniazione e alienazione dei figli dalla figura paterna. Il fenomeno dell’alienazione genitoriale verra affrontato a partire da una dettagliata critica alla Sindrome da Alienazione Parentale (PAS) formulata da Richard Gardner. Nonostante le critiche sollevate in ambito scientifico, essa viene gia citata nel 2008 nell’Art. 9 del disegno di legge numero 957: «Il comprovato condizionamento della volonta del minore, in particolare se mirato al rifiuto dell’altro genitore attivando la sindrome di alienazione genitoriale, costituisce inadempienza grave, che puo comportare l’esclusione dall’affidamento». L’ipotesi di Gardner ha favorito un processo di demonizzazione delle madri - che piu frequentemente sostengono il rifiuto dei figli verso il padre , verra confrontata con quella proposta nel "modello concentrico" di Kelly e Johnston. I risultati emersi dallo studio di sei casi di alienazione rivolta al padre, consentiranno di illustrare una griglia di valutazione in cui sono rappresentati i diversi fattori che contribuiscono alla costruzione dell’alienazione genitoriale e che orientano il clinico a definire piani d’intervento multifocali che coinvolgono madri, padri e figli.

The current guidelines for treatment of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) in children and adolescents recommend an integrated multidisciplinary approach as the elective intervention for this disorder. Nevertheless, there is insufficient evidence on the results of an integrated approach for the treatment of AN adolescent patients, especially in a Hospital setting. This study aims to analyze clinical and psychological changes occurring in adolescent patients after completion of a Day-Hospital Multifocal Integrated Treatment (MIT) for Anorexia Nervosa. The sample consisted of 60 adolescents with AN or Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) restrictive type, aged 11 to 18 years, and their parents. Clinical course was evaluated at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up periods. Our results showed clinical remission in a good percentage of patients. In general, we found a significant reduction of the eating psychopathology, whereas we did not detect any significant improvement in body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, and relational difficulties. This positive trend was confirmed at 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up, despite the increase of drop-outs. These results suggest that the proposed treatment is reasonably effective, because it aims to contain and reduce the acute phase of the disease in a limited time and in a hospital setting, but it is necessary to continue the treatment with targeted psychotherapeutic interventions to address the deeper psychological discomfort underlying the eating disorder.

Il Lausanne Trilogue Play clinico: dallo studio dell’intersoggettivita nella famiglia alla valutazione clinica nella psicoterapia con genitori e figli - Interest to adopt the intersubjectival optical, regarded by some researchers as having a motivational evolutionary function for the individual and the species (Stern, 2004; Liotti, 2008). Encourage the family to participate in intersubjective experience, based on the sharing of feelings, intentions and meanings - through a structured game like Lausanne Trialogue Play (LTP) - can observe and assess the family alliances analyzing the interaction and coordination of the family. Starting from these considerations, the authors propose in this work the LTP application in clinical context, building an appropriate way for the context in which it is applied. This procedure has allowed us to analyze the distribution of family alliances in a clinical family sample and the possible connection of family functioning in the presence of symptoms in their children. The work hypothesis is that the LTPc can offer advantages in the evaluation process of the family and also in the therapeutic process.

Couples in stepfamily after divorce: a resiliency example - This study investigates possible differences concerning romantic attachment and marital quality through a comparison between a sample of couples in stepfamilies after the divorce of one or both partners (N = 18) and another sample of intact couples (N = 68). The Experiences in Close Relationships scale is utilised to examine romantic attachment, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale is employed to assess dyadic adjustment and the Parental Bonding Instrument is used to measure the quality of parental bonding for each partner. The partners in stepfamily couples reported that they have negatively perceived maternal care during their childhood and described a greater levels of anxiety concerning romantic attachment; however step-family couples showed protective variables in couple relationship, that were perceived satisfying and represent a resiliency factor in regard to the break-up of their first marriage and the lack of maternal care.

Towards a multifactorial model for understanding Intimate Partner Violence - The article introduces the topic of violence between intimate partners (IPV) from a brief description of the different types of violence highlighted by the literature: psychological, physical, sexual and economic violence. While recognizing a wide cultural influence behind the increase in frequency of the Intimate Partners Violence (in which the perpetrator is mainly the man and the victim is a woman), the article presents an overview of the different psychological models in search of the risk factors on which different theories converge. In particular, the article outline the various risk factors reported by researchers and take into account the relational level where risk factors are focused and the role that violence plays in the individual and relational dynamic. Key words: intimate partner violence; risk factor; individual dynamic; relational dynamic.

Background Infertility represents a major challenge to the emotional balance and sexual life of couples, with long-lasting and gender-specific effects. The objective of this study is to explore personality features of infertile patients and detect possible sexual disorders in couples undergoing infertility treatment. Materials and methods In this prospective study 60 infertile couples and 52 fertile control couples were asked to complete standardized and validated questionnaires: the Adjective Check List (ACL) to enquire about personality features and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) or the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to assess sexual functioning of female and male partners. The study population was divided into 3 groups: Group A (N = 30, recently diagnosed infertile couples) Group B (N = 30, infertile couples already undergoing Intrauterine Insemination) and Group C (N = 52, fertile control group). Results Infertile patients did not display any distinguishing personality features. Regarding sexual function, men of all the three groups scored higher in both questionnaires (sexual satisfaction, desire and orgasm) than their female partners. Comparing results between groups, Group A male partners obtained lower scores in all the subscales. Women belonging to Group A and Group B showed an impairment of sexual arousal, satisfaction, lubrification and orgasm when compared to fertile controls. Conclusions Even if at the very first stages of infertility treatment no personality disturbances can be detected, the couples’ sexual life is already impaired with different sexual disorders according to gender.

This paper presents a methodology for scaling and modifying ground motions that best represents the seismic-hazard characteristics of the site, minimizes the amplification and modification to the records and uses the minimum number of ground motions required while still meeting all the code requirements. The objective of the ground-motion modification method is to scale and modify the ground motions such that the average of the spectrum resultants matches the scaled design spectrum over the entire period range of the design spectrum. This method reduces the groundmotion amplification needed to meet the code requirements when amplitude scaling is implemented. It also reduces the record modification needed for spectral matching. The proposed methodology was used in generating the ground motions used for the design of a hospital expansion project. The implementation of this methodology and its effects on the design are presented in the paper.

Violence in intimate relationships and alcoholism - The study examined communication features of couples with a alcoholic partner. Two groups were compared (N = 58): alcoholic subjects with experience of intimate partners violence (A.V.=29) and alcoholic subjects that don’t experience IPV (A.N.V.=29). The CPQ was administered to asses dyadic communication patterns and the Scheme of Analysis of histories of couple violence was used to evaluate risk factors of IPV. A.V. group showed significantly higher levels of negative communication, i.e. demand/withdraw pattern, than did other group. Furthermore, the groups significantly differ to violence against familiars and unfamiliars. Research and clinical implications are discussed. Key words: couple violence; alcoholism; couple communication; demand/ withdraw pattern.

A common practice for seismic design of reinforced concrete bridges is to locate the flexural plastic hinges in columns adjacent to the joint. This raises questions about the anchorage of the column longitudinal reinforcement within the joint, the strength of the joint, and the role of joint reinforcement. These issues are examined in a test program in which 2 one-third-scale models of a bridge connection are tested under multiaxial loading simulating effects of gravity and earthquakes. This paper deals with the test program, presents details on the design and construction of the test specimens, and presents and discusses the overall response of the test subassemblages and joint panel to the imposed loading.

The interactions between montmorillonite (sample SAz-1 from the Source Clay Repository of the Clay Minerals Society) and Zn 2+ and Pb 2+ solutions of different ionic strengths (from about 10 −5 to 1 M) are studied in order to observe changes in the clay-solution system and mineral crystal chemistry. In both types of solution the stationary state of exchange, attained within 20 min, depends on the solution's ionic strength. The uptake can be interpreted by means of a Langmuir-type equation with Zn 2+ somewhat more easily exchanged than Pb 2+ . The shifting of the d (001) spacing from 15.3 A (natural sample) to 12.8 A (Zn 2+ -exchanged montmorillonite) and 12.4 A (Pb 2+ -exchanged montmorillonite) suggests that the kind of interlayer cation affects the c dimension of the layer. Upon heating, the exchanged montmorillonite layer collapses ( d (001),Zn = 9.5 A; d (001),Pb = 10.0 A) and the closest packing is attained at T = 200°C for Pb 2+ - and at 380°C for Zn 2+ -exchanged samples. In addition to reactions observed for natural and Pb 2+ -exchanged samples in the temperature ranges 20–250°C and 500–700°C, the thermal analyses of Zn 2+ -exchanged montmorillonite show a reaction at about 380°C which can be related either to strongly bonded water molecules or to “brucitic-like” interlayers or to Zn 2+ -exchanged octahedra.

In this article the authors propose: 1) a typology of drug addiction cases consisting of four main classes: A. traumatic drug addiction, B. drug addiction from actual neuroses, C. transitional drug addiction, and D. sociopathic drug addiction; 2) a clinical study (with 18 months of follow-up data) involving 131 heroin addicts mostly treated with structural or counterparadoxical family therapy in the same psychotherapy center and in the same year; and 3) some preliminary conclusions emerging from an examination of the four-class typology with respect to the effectiveness of family therapy interventions. If, for example, structural family therapy techniques seem more suitable in type-B cases (similar to cases described by Haley in his Leaving Home), the counterparadoxical techniques are likely to be more effective in type-C cases (similar to the anorectics described by Selvini-Palazzoli).