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Most students acknowledge shared responsibility, with the university, for their employability development. Many academics use assessments as the main driver for motivating students to learn. At the intersection between employability, assessment and learning, the emergent research question is -- what are the mechanisms by which course-based employability is fostered? Prior research reveals that although academics identified course-based assessment as the key employability mechanism, neither students nor employers registered this conceptualisation, and thus purpose of assessment. The aim of this research was to stimulate and communicate the direct connection between assessment and employability to students and interpret their response. Over 100 first-year students, across a metropolitan and regional Australian university, participated. Students were directed to use a simple reflective tool, dubbed iASK by the researchers, that probed employability elements of identity, Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge. The research revealed the resulting student view that regular course-based assessment can develop their employability skills in communication and independence, but not in critical thinking and global citizenship.

Purpose: The evolving dynamics of the labour market make graduates' future employability an important issue for higher education (HE) institutions, prompting universities to complement the conventional graduate skills approach with a wider focus on graduate forms of capital that may enhance their sense of employability. This study, adopting a capital perspective, explores whether and how teachers in HE, when acknowledged as knowledgeable trustworthy actors, may affect graduates' employability. It investigates how they can mobilise undergraduate cultural capital through socialisation, and shape their pre-professional identity, paving the way for university-to-work transition. Design/methodology/approach: To test the hypothesised model, a self-report online questionnaire was administered to a sample of 616 undergraduates attending different Italian universities. Multiple mediating models were tested using the SEM framework. Findings: Results supported the tested model and showed that trust in knowledgeable HE teachers was associated with undergraduates' perceived employability both directly and through both mediators (i.e. academic socialisation and identification with future professionality). Research limitations/implications: This research explores a capital conceptualisation of graduate employability, identifying possible processes for implementing graduates' capital across their academic experience and providing initial evidence of their interplay and contribution to transition into the labour market. Originality/value: These findings provide empirical support to possible forms of capital that HE institutions may fulfil to enhance their undergraduate employability throughout their academic career, which serves as a liminal space allowing undergraduates to begin building a tentative professional identity.

The Peak Stress Method (PSM) is an engineering, FE-oriented application of the notch stress intensity factor (NSIF) approach to fatigue design of welded joints, which takes advantage of the singular linear elastic peak stresses from FE analyses with coarse meshes. Originally, the PSM was calibrated by using 3D, eight-node brick elements, taking advantage of the submodeling technique. Recently, the PSM has been calibrated by using ten-node tetra elements, which are able to directly discretize complex 3D geometries without the need for submodels. The PSM was validated for pure axial or bending loadings as well as pure torsion loadings; recently it has been extended to multiaxial loadings by adopting a design stress, the so-called equivalent peak stress, in conjunction with a reference design fatigue curve. After having briefly recalled the calibration of the PSM with tetra elements, the paper presents some applications of the PSM relevant to steel plate-to-tube welded details of industrial interest under in-phase bending-torsion fatigue loadings. Experimental data have been re-analysed using the PSM based on tetra elements. Eventually a good agreement between experimental and theoretical results has been obtained in terms of fatigue crack initiation location as well as total fatigue life.

In this paper, a two-dimensional model to describe the non-planar features of crack morphologies is presented. The model accounts for frictional tractions along the crack surfaces by considering an elastic-plastic-like constitutive interface law. Dilatancy effect due to crack roughness is described by the model, leading to a Mode I/II coupling between displacements and tractions along the crack surfaces. The non-linear solution of the rough and frictional crack under general remote scenarios is obtained using the Distributed Dislocation Technique (DDT). By considering a linear piecewise periodic profile of the interface crack, the influence of roughness and friction of interface cracks is examined in relation to both the resulting near-tip stress field and the fracture resistance under monotonic mixed-mode loading. The present model is able to quantify the increase of the fracture resistance due to roughnessand friction-induced crack tip shielding and to correlate it with a dimensionless crack size parameter.

Nickel-Titanium alloys (Nitinol) are widely used for biomedical applications. Peripheral stents are almost exclusively composed of Nitinol, as its superelasticity is suited for minimally-invasive insertion and durable effect. After crimping and deployment stents undergo cyclic multi-axial loads imposed by vascular and lower-limb motion (e.g. axial compression, bending, and torsion). This complex mechanical environment could lead to metal fatigue and device fracture, with possible severe consequences (e.g. in-stent restenosis). Standard regulations require experimental verification of stent fatigue behaviour for preclinical assessment, but no exact indications are provided to direct the load combination. Moreover, different fatigue criteria were developed for common metals to predict fatigue endurance, but no criteria were specifically defined for the unique thermo-mechanical properties of Nitinol. This study investigated the role of cyclic multi-axial loading conditions on different stent geometries, looking at how they affect the stress/strain distribution along the device and how different criteria may affect the fatigue prediction (e.g. the standard Von Mises alternate approach and other critical plane approaches). Then, a preliminary experimental fatigue campaign was performed in agreement with the numerical simulations in order to compare the numerical predictions with the experimental results. The result suggest that the critical plane approaches are more reliable than the standard Von Mises criterion.

In the last decades the mush model has been generalized to the complete trans-crustal magmatic system in which differentiation would be driven by segregation and extraction of trapped melts from crystal-rich mushes. Melt extraction processes involved are porous flow and strain localization, the latter being regarded as the main process acting during transfer through dykes and necks along which high differential stresses are acting on. We combine structural measurements together with petrological analyses and textural observations to constrain the model of emplacement and finally emphasize how shear deformation and strain localization structures promoted the residual melt segregation that occurred in a shallow silica-undersaturated peralkaline intrusion (Suc de Sara, Velay volcanic province, French Massif Central). In this study, we demonstrate that segregation and subsequent extraction of the CO2-rich residual melt occurred during magma ascent and final emplacement of the Suc de Sara tinguaite. Contrasting features of shear deformation between the margins that exhibited different permeabilities highlight that melt segregation started by compaction as a loose packing of emerging microlites and continued with melt filling of an anastomosed C/C′ band network developing in the crystal-rich mush subjected to high shear strain. Subsequent melt extraction throughout the country rock was controlled by the permeability of the hanging wall. Along the western hanging wall of the intrusion, extraction of the residual melt was prevented by the 15 cm thick chilled margin. In contrast, segregated melt circulated through the highly porous and permeable eastern margin, causing the fenitization of the country rock.

Pancreatic islet cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells hold great promise for modeling and treating diabetes. Differences between stem-cell-derived and primary islets remain, but molecular insights to inform improvements are limited. Here, we acquire single-cell transcriptomes and accessible chromatin profiles during in vitro islet differentiation and pancreas from childhood and adult donors for comparison. We delineate major cell types, define their regulomes, and describe spatiotemporal gene regulatory relationships between transcription factors. CDX2 emerged as a regulator of enterochromaffin-like cells, which we show resemble a transient, previously unrecognized, serotonin-producing pre-β cell population in fetal pancreas, arguing against a proposed non-pancreatic origin. Furthermore, we observe insufficient activation of signal-dependent transcriptional programs during in vitro β cell maturation and identify sex hormones as drivers of β cell proliferation in childhood. Altogether, our analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of cell fate acquisition in stem-cell-derived islets and a framework for manipulating cell identities and maturity.

IntroductionMetal carpentry includes a wide range of work activities such as welding and cutting metallic components, use of solvents and paints. Therefore, the employees in these types of activities are mainly exposed to welding fumes and volatile organic solvents. Here, we present an NMR-based metabolomic approach for assessing urinary profiles of workers in the same company that are exposed to two different risk factors.MethodsThe study enrolled 40 male subjects exposed to welding fumes, 13 male subjects exposed to volatile organic compounds of a metal carpentry company, and 24 healthy volunteers. All samples were collected, in the middle of the working week at fast. Thirty-five urinary metabolites belonging to different chemical classes such as amino acids, organic acids and amines were identified and quantified. Results were processed by multivariate statistical analysis for identifying significant metabolites for each working group examined, compared to controls.ResultsWorkers exposed to welding fumes displayed urinary increase in glutamine, tyrosine, taurine, creatine, methylguanidine and pseudouridine associated to oxidative impairment, while workers exposed to volatile organic compounds showed higher urinary levels of branched chain aminoacids.ConclusionOur work identified specific urinary profile related to each occupational exposure, even if it is below the threshold limit values.

Abstract Objective The Education and Career Task Force of the Young Epilepsy Section‐Italy focuses on educational and career development needs of young Italian epileptologists. Two surveys were developed (pre‐ and post COVID‐19 pandemic) in order to identify the needs of members of the Lega Italiana Contro l'Epilessia under 40 years of age. Methods The first was distributed during the 42nd National Congress (Rome, June 5–7, 2019); the second during the 45th National Congress (Padova, June 8–10, 2022) and subsequently by e‐mail until July 9, 2022. Data from the 2019 survey were analyzed descriptively. Data from the 2022 survey were further analyzed with Pearson's chi‐square test to establish if gender, field of clinical practice, and professional role were associated with different needs. Results Sixty surveys were completed in 2019 and 69 in 2022. Attendance to courses and congresses as the preferred way to keep medical knowledge updated reduced between 2019 and 2022. The reason was different between trainees (mostly elevated costs) and early‐career consultants (mostly organizational issues) (p = 0.005). The main needs for improvement also diverged: trainees indicated differential diagnosis and diagnostic approach to the first seizure while consultants indicated diagnostic approach to genetic epilepsies (p = 0.004); in the genetic field, priority needs were selection of genetic investigations for trainees versus genotype–phenotype correlations for consultants (p = 0.022). The field of practice (pediatric vs. adult) also impacted on the main needs for improvement that is, acquisition of expertise in neuroradiology and drug therapy for pediatric versus genetics for adult neurology trainees or consultants (p = 0.018); in the clinical area, differential diagnosis and approach to the first seizure versus status epilepticus (p = 0.027); in the genetic field, precision medicine versus genotype–phenotype correlations (p = 0.034). No differences were found based on gender. Significance The surveys identified different needs based on professional role and discipline. Plain Language Summary The Education and Career Task Force of the Young Epilepsy Section‐Italy (YES‐I) launched two surveys among young Italian epileptologists. Our research shows that the educational and professional needs of young Italian epileptologists vary based on their job role and field of practice, but not on gender. Their preference for on‐site congresses and courses reduced after the pandemic, and the main reason is linked to financial constraints for trainees and to organizational issues for consultants. The main expectation toward YES‐I is to receive support for education and career development. Thus, we collected useful suggestions on how to organize our future YES‐I activities.

Abstract Cement hydration is crucial for the strength development of cement-based materials; however, the mechanism that underlies this complex reaction remains poorly understood at the molecular level. An in-depth understanding of cement hydration is required for the development of environmentally friendly cement and consequently the reduction of carbon emissions in the cement industry. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations with a reactive force field to investigate the initial hydration processes of tricalcium silicate (C3S) and dicalcium silicate (C2S) up to 40 ns. Our simulations provide theoretical support for the rapid initial hydration of C3S compared to C2S at the molecular level. The dissolution pathways of calcium ions in C3S and C2S are revealed, showing that, two dissolution processes are required for the complete dissolution of calcium ions in C3S. Our findings promote the understanding of the calcium dissolution stage and serve as a valuable reference for the investigation of the initial cement hydration.

Abstract Missense variants are the most common type of coding genetic variants. Their functional assessment is fundamental for defining any implication in human diseases and may also uncover genes that are essential for human organ development. Here, we apply CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing on human iPSCs to study a heterozygous missense variant in GLI2 identified in two siblings with early-onset and insulin-dependent diabetes of unknown cause. GLI2 is a primary mediator of the Hedgehog pathway, which regulates pancreatic β-cell development in mice. However, neither mutations in GLI2 nor Hedgehog dysregulation have been reported as cause or predisposition to diabetes. We establish and study a set of isogenic iPSC lines harbouring the missense variant for their ability to differentiate into pancreatic β-like cells. Interestingly, iPSCs carrying the missense variant show altered GLI2 transcriptional activity and impaired differentiation of pancreatic progenitors into endocrine cells. RNASeq and network analyses unveil a crosstalk between Hedgehog and WNT pathways, with the dysregulation of non-canonical WNT signaling in pancreatic progenitors carrying the GLI2 missense variant. Collectively, our findings underscore an essential role for GLI2 in human endocrine development and identify a gene variant that may lead to diabetes.

Abstract Background Thousand and one amino-acid kinase 1 (TAOK1) encodes the MAP3K protein kinase TAO1, which has recently been displayed to be essential for neuronal maturation and cortical differentiation during early brain development. Heterozygous variants in TAOK1 have been reported in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, with or without macrocephaly, hypotonia and mild dysmorphic traits. Literature reports lack evidence of neuronal migration disorders in TAOK1 patients, although studies in animal models suggest this possibility. Case presentation We provide a clinical description of a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder due to a novel TAOK1 truncating variant, whose brain magnetic resonance imaging displays periventricular nodular heterotopia. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of a neuronal migration disorder in a patient with a TAOK1-related neurodevelopmental disorder, thus supporting the hypothesized pathogenic mechanisms of TAOK1 defects.

Abstract The human papillomavirus minor capsid protein L2 is being extensively explored in pre-clinical studies as an attractive vaccine antigen capable of inducing broad-spectrum prophylactic antibody responses. Recently, we have developed two HPV vaccine antigens – PANHPVAX and CUT-PANHPVAX- both based on heptameric nanoparticle antigens displaying polytopes of the L2 major cross-neutralizing epitopes of eight mucosal and twelve cutaneous HPV types, respectively. Prompted by the variable neutralizing antibody responses against some of the HPV types targeted by the antigens observed in previous studies, here we investigated the influence on immunogenicity of six distinct glycine-proline spacers inserted upstream to a specific L2 epitope. We show that spacer variants differentially influence antigen immunogenicity in a mouse model, with the antigen constructs M8merV6 and C12merV6 displaying a superior ability in the induction of neutralizing antibodies as determined by pseudovirus-based neutralization assays (PBNAs). L2-peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assessments determined the total anti-L2 antibody level for each antigen variant, showing for the majority of sera a correlation with their repective neutralizing antibody level. Surface Plasmon Resonance revealed that L2 epitope-specific, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) display distinct avidities to different antigen spacer variants. Furthermore, mAb affinity toward individual spacer variants was well correlated with their neutralizing antibody induction capacity, indicating that the mAb affinity assay predicts L2-based antigen immunogenicity. These observations provide insights on the development and optimization of L2-based HPV vaccines.

Aim: People with severe mental illnesses (SMI) face different occupational challenges than those diagnosed with personality disorders (PD). Supported employment (SE) has been validated for SMI patients but its effectiveness for individuals with PD remains unclear, and the reasons for this potential difference have not been explored. This study aimed to identify differences in SE practice for clients with SMI and those with PD. Methods: Six SE job coaches were interviewed about their experiences. A thematic analysis was run. Results: More difficulties and facilitators were mentioned regarding clients with PD than regarding clients with other SMI. For both, patients’ symptoms were reported to negatively affect their (re)integration into the job market. However, in contrast to that of clients with SMI, the relation between symptoms and SE success for clients with PD involved difficult behaviors and their negative impact on the therapeutic relationship. Conclusion: In summary, SE practice seems to be undermined by PD and could benefit from adaptations, such as specific training for SE teams to help them in managing clients with this disorder.

Food safety has emerged as a paramount concern for both Vietnamese consumers and the government. However, limited data are available on food safety management systems in Viet Nam. This study identified significant gaps in good agricultural and hygienic practices along the fresh produce chain (farmers and traditional wholesalers/market sellers) in the region of Da Nang, Viet Nam. This was achieved through a survey on good agricultural and hygienic practices for farmers (n = 100) and sellers (n = 100), which researchers further supplemented by microbiological analysis for E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes on leafy greens, water in contact with produce and contact surfaces (hands). The results indicated that 86.0 % of farmers and 54.0 % of sellers received food safety training in the last 3 years; and women dominated both vegetable cultivation but also trading. Farm-level deficiencies included inadequate handwashing practices, lack of documentation for manure application schedules, improper washing and drying of harvest tools, failure to keep containers elevated off the ground, improper storage of vegetables, and inadequate covering of containers, with respectively 34.0 %, 30.3 %, 12.1 %, 41.7 % and 7.9 % of farmers executing the practice as prescribed by the WHO/FAO ‘5 keys of growing safer fruits and vegetables’. As for sellers, the most dominant gaps (

Building on cognitive appraisal theory of stress, we examined the direct relationship between the emotional labor strategies of employees (i.e., surface and deep acting) and outcomes (i.e., psychological strain and creativity). In addition, we investigated the indirect relationship between emotional labor strategies and outcomes via job stressors (i.e., challenge and hindrance stressors). We collected time-lagged data from service sector employees in Italy and tested the data using path analysis. We found that surface acting predicted psychological strain and creativity, and the indirect relationship between surface acting and outcomes via hindrance stressor was significant. Whereas, deep acting predicted psychological strain but not creativity and the indirect relationship between deep acting and psychological strain via challenge stressor was significant. Our data failed to support the indirect association between deep acting and creativity. Our study highlighted that emotion regulation strategies of employees were related to challenge and hindrance stressors and thus underlines that employees should carefully manage their emotional displays at work. Implications and future research directions are discussed., Author(s): Muhammad Farrukh Moin [sup.1] , Paola Spagnoli [sup.2] , Ali Nawaz Khan [sup.3] , Zahid Hameed [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/01t9czq80, grid.463678.8, 0000 0004 5896 7337, Rabat Business School, [...]

Abstract Several materials and tissues are characterized by a microstructure composed of fibrous units embedded in a ground matrix. In this paper, a novel three-dimensional (3D) Fourier transform-based method for quantifying the distribution of fiber orientations is presented. The method allows for an accurate identification of individual fiber families, their in-plane and out-of-plane dispersion, and showed fast computation times. We validated the method using artificially generated 3D images, in terms of fiber dispersion by considering the error between the standard deviation of the reconstructed and the prescribed distributions of the artificial fibers. In addition, we considered the measured mean orientation angles of the fibers and validated the robustness using a measure of fiber density. Finally, the method is employed to reconstruct a full 3D view of the distribution of collagen fiber orientations based on in vitro second harmonic generation microscopy of collagen fibers in human and mouse skin. The dispersion parameters of the reconstructed fiber network can be used to inform mechanical models of soft fiber-reinforced materials and biological tissues that account for non-symmetrical fiber dispersion.

The SIRIUS beamline of Synchrotron SOLEIL is dedicated to X-ray scattering and spectroscopy of surfaces and interfaces, covering the tender to mid-hard X-ray range (1.1–13 keV). The beamline has hosted a wide range of experiments in the field of soft interfaces and beyond, providing various grazing-incidence techniques such as diffraction and wide-angle scattering (GIXD/GIWAXS), small-angle scattering (GISAXS) and X-ray fluorescence in total reflection (TXRF). SIRIUS also offers specific sample environments tailored for in situ complementary experiments on solid and liquid surfaces. Recently, the beamline has added compound refractive lenses associated with a transfocator, allowing for the X-ray beam to be focused down to 10 µm × 10 µm while maintaining a reasonable flux on the sample. This new feature opens up new possibilities for faster GIXD measurements at the liquid–air interface and for measurements on samples with narrow geometries.

Abstract Addressing recent calls by European regulatory and supervisory authorities, we develop a new bottom-up climate risk assessment method to examine the resilience of the European banking industry regarding transitory climate risks. We illustrate our approach by estimating the impact of a 50–100 EUR carbon tax per $$\textit{tCO}_{2}$$ tCO 2 equivalent on the valuation and default risk of STOXX Europe 600 firms. For about 5% of the sample firms, we find asset devaluation shocks larger than 30% and for about 16% of the firms probabilities of default (PDs) dropping below investment-grade level of 3%. At the sector level, our results yield asset devaluations shocks of 15–36% and new PDs of 5–34% for the six most affected sectors. Running a stress test on credit risk based on these results, we find a decrease in capital ratios between $$-1.2$$ - 1.2 and $$-1.6$$ - 1.6 percentage points for key regulatory capital ratios in the most adverse scenario while only addressing 36% of the bank’s total risk-weighted assets. Our analysis sheds light on the substantial transitory climate risk for asset portfolios of banks and contributes to the pressing question how to integrate climate risk into risk management and regulation of financial institutions.

Abstract Background Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON) are rare diseases reported within the “Painful lesions of the cranial nerves” section of the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3rd edition (ICHD-3). In case of a first painful attack, differential diagnosis could be challenging and many pitfalls are due to the rarity of the disorders and the lack of information about correct medical management in youngsters. Case presentation Our main purpose was to report a new case of THS and a new case of RPON describing management and diagnostic investigation at the time of the first episode. In both cases of THS (13 years old) and RPON (14 years old) a unilateral periorbital headache associated with acute onset of ipsilateral third cranial nerve paresis, scarcely responding to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), was present at the beginning of the first attack. Brain MRI with "time-of-flight" (TOF) angiography and the need to administer steroids (after 72 h from onset) in order to stop pain were the most important handles allowing us to adopt the correct management both in THS or RPON since onset and to face recurrences in RPON by avoiding useless therapy during follow-up. Conclusion Unilateral periorbital headache associated with third-fourth or sixth cranial nerve paresis should ideally be investigated with a full work-up, comprehensive of brain MRI with TOF angiography since the first attack. In cases with negative brain MRI spontaneous resolution should be considered and watchful waiting might be advisable before starting steroid therapy.

Background and Objectives: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paresis in children. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and electrophysiological findings and outcomes of children with GBS diagnosed in our unit. Moreover, the literature on pediatric GBS cases from the past 5 years was reviewed. In this retrospective study, we reported data on 12 patients (9 male and 3 female patients; mean age: 5 y, 4 mo; range: 9 mo–11 y) clinically diagnosed at the Child Neurology Unit of the AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Italy, between 2000 and 2017 and a brief analysis/comparison with data from the literature. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from medical charts. Results: In our cohort, male patients were more frequent than female ones (9 vs. 3), and upper respiratory tract infection (n = 8, 66.7%) was the most frequent triggering factor. The main clinical symptoms on admission were distal lower limbs’ weakness with gait difficulties (83.3%), pain (50%), upper limbs’ weakness (50%), and dysphagia for liquids (25%). Peripheral neurophysiological studies revealed acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) in 66.6% of the children, acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) in 25%, and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) in 8.3%. Ten individuals (83.3%) received timely treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), and, out of these ten patients, 58% received concomitant treatment with IV methylprednisolone because of a progressive disease course. Complete remission was observed in the majority of individuals (91.6%) within 6 months of symptom onset. Conclusions: Different subtypes of GBS can affect children; however, the outcome is usually positive. Early treatment appears to be important for a favorable outcome.

Melasma is a challenging skin condition which involves both structural and functional skin alterations. Despite the availability of various treatment options, the management remains complex. This is the first study to investigate topical application of Rosa damascena stem cell exosomes when used concomitantly with microneedling in women and men with facial melasma. We recruited 20 subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III, exhibiting melasma of varying severity. The modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) were utilized to evaluate treatment response. The treatment protocol involved microneedling followed by exosome application over four or five sessions, at 4-week intervals. Ninety percent of subjects demonstrated a significant improvement in mMASI scores, while only 10% showed no change. GAIS assessment further supports overall improvement, with just 10% categorized as “not changed”. Tolerability was favorable, with mild, transient side effects. Our findings suggest promising outcomes with this combined therapy, underscoring its potential as a safe and effective approach for treating melasma, particularly in severe and moderate cases. However, further research with larger sample sizes and control arms is warranted to validate these findings and explore long-term efficacy.

Background: Socialization practices support undergraduates' transitional processes when beginning their academic careers and afterwards. Anyhow, the absence of specific socialization measures for academic contexts does not allow Universities to assess it. Aims: The present study aimed to contribute to the socialization literature by proposing a reliable measure (USQ, Undergraduate Socialization Questionnaire) specific for the academic context, that is, reflecting the same construct at different developmental stages. Method and samples: Based on an organizational socialization scale (NSQ; Haueter al., 2003, "Journal of Vocational Behavior," 63, 20), we examined in Study One the USQ's three-factor structure (task, group, organization) (n. 451 undergraduates) and, in Study Two, we tested the construct invariance across time, comparing undergraduates' developmental changes through a two-wave longitudinal design (n.185 undergraduates attending their first and their second year). Results: Findings supported both the USQ's dimensionality and measurement invariance, thus ensuring that the same underlying construct is being assessed, and its concurrent and predictive validity. Conclusions: Overall, results showed that USQ is a reliable instrument useful to monitor the effectiveness of undergraduates' adjustment process, also allowing comparison between specific groups of students or longitudinal comparison to evaluate their career development or the effectiveness of policies targeted to reduce the risk of marginalization and dropout.