Metaphorical emotional experential learning (meel): navigating relational dynamic and transforming learning environments

The MEEL model explains the learning environment as a complex network of metaphors in which actions and relationships have both an emotional and cognitive basis. The authors describe the value of metaphors as a pedagogical device and outline the potential of the model for training design, depicting its ability to create inclusive educational contexts and to encourage the holistic development of the person through emotionally situated and effective learnin

LCA of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Considering Different Power System Architectures

Fuel cell electric vehicles are a promising solution for reducing the environmental impacts of the automotive sector; however, there are still some key points to address in finding the most efficient and less impactful implementation of this technology. In this work, three electrical architectures of fuel cell electric vehicles were modeled and compared in terms of the environmental impacts of their manufacturing and use phases. The three architectures differ in terms of the number and position of the DC/DC converters connecting the battery and the fuel cell to the electric motor. The life cycle assessment methodology was employed to compute and compare the impacts of the three vehicles. A model of the production of the main components of vehicles and fuel cell stacks, as well as of the production of hydrogen fuel, was constructed, and the impacts were calculated using the program SimaPro. Eleven impact categories were considered when adopting the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint method, and the EF (adapted) method was exploited for a final comparison. The results highlighted the importance of the converters and their influence on fuel consumption, which was identified as the main factor in the comparison of the environmental impacts of the vehicle

Effect of the number of daily distributions of solid feed on veal calves' health status, behaviour, and alterations of rumen and abomasa

The research aimed at evaluating the effect of three versus two daily distributions of solid feed on veal calves' health, behaviour, and rumen and abomasal mucosa alterations with the rationale that three distributions might improve calves' health and welfare. The study was carried out in two veal calf farms that provided different amounts of solid feed (farm A 200 kg DM/calf; farm B 150 kg DM/calf) during the fattening in addition to liquid milk-replacer. It involved 342 calves in farm A and 108 calves in farm B. The change from two to three solid feed distributions/day started for half calves/farm after the third month of fattening when farm A was feeding 800 g and farm B 600 g DM/calf/day. Health status, blood haemoglobin, and behaviour were assessed on farm at different times. Calves' carcass weight was recorded and rumens and abomasa were inspected post mortem. Increasing solid feed distributions did not improve calves' health but it reduced non-nutritive oral behaviours (4.8 versus 3.2 ± 0.4% for two and three distributions/day, respectively) by prolonging the time spent eating solid feed. Carcass weight was similar between treatments. Three daily solid feed distributions did not reduce the prevalence of rumen mucosa hyperkeratinisation and abomasal alterations, worsening the frequency of rumen plaques. As the partition of daily dose of solid feed in three distributions is more time and labour consuming, its benefits addressing only the reduction of non-nutritive oral behaviours seem not sufficient to justify the routinely adoption of this practice by veal producers

Valutare la formazione esperienziale. Il caso “Sentirsi in alto mare”

The evaluation of the educational gain of an experience is a current and binding issue in the field of non-formal and informal learning. In this regard, the paper presents a diagnostic and formative evaluation model used in an experiential learning activity called “Feeling on the high seas” of the EFESP (Ecosistemi Formativi Esperienziali) association. This learning activity is planned for professionals such as teachers, educators, facilitators, psychologists and human resources experts both for their initial training and for their in-service training. The evaluation model is based on a ad hoc questionnaire for mapping the mindset below the acting with competence of the participants involved in the experiential learning activity. We will discuss main theoretical issues and the methodological implications with reference to the diagnostic and formative functions of the evaluation processes aimed at tailoring the experiential learning activity to the involved participants

Inter-laboratory comparison on the determination of the hydrophobicity index of nanomaterials through an affinity measurement

Hydrophobicity is a physico-chemical property that may influence the fate of nanomaterials in the environment and biological matrices. A method to characterise the hydrophobicity of nanomaterials was developed at the JRC and proposed as an OECD Test Guideline. In this context, the JRC led an Inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) aiming to assess the transferability of the standard operating procedure. The method is based on the measurement of the affinity of nanomaterials to engineered collectors. Nine laboratories participated to this ILC. The variability of the measurements and the reproducibility of the calculation of the Hydrophobicity Index were assessed according to the International Standard ISO 5725-2. Accordingly, with |Z-scores| < 2 for all the participants, the determination of the Hydrophobicity Index was considered satisfactory. The method was adopted by the OECD Working Party of the National Coordinators of the Test Guidelines Programme in April 2023 as Test Guideline 126.JRC.F.2 - Technologies for Healt

Chlorine-free Extractions of Mixed-Culture Polyhydroxyalkanoates Produced from Fermented Sewage Sludge at Pilot Scale

In this study, various conventional and innovative methods were investigated for the recovery of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from a single batch of biomass produced at a pilot scale from mixed microbial cultures (MMCs) and fermented sewage sludge as a feedstock. Sustainable chlorine-free methods using NaOH and/or H2O2, as well as extraction in nontoxic ethyl acetate, were analyzed. Interestingly, the combined treatment of biomass with NaOH and H2O2 solutions demonstrated good recovery (70 wt %) and high purity (92 wt %) of the polymer in small-scale trials. Moreover, when the coupled treatment was performed on a larger biomass quantity (approximately 200 g), it achieved high purity and recovery yield (93 and 88 wt %, respectively), indicating the feasibility of this extraction method on a larger scale

Biliary Injuries Repair Using Copolymeric Scaffold: A Systematic Review and In Vivo Experimental Study

Background: Common bile duct (CBD) treatments are often associated with complications, limiting long-term efficacy. To overcome these issues, polymeric grafts have been suggested as promising alternatives, since they are highly customizable, biocompatible, and may reduce side effects frequency. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, interrogating MEDLINE and Cochrane Library. Next, an in vivo study involved 20 pigs, which underwent a former controlled biliary injury. To repair the defect, a α,β-Poly(N-2hydroxyethyl)-DL-Aspartamide (PHEA)–Polylactic-acid (PLA)–Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold Academic Editors: Xibo Yan and Shuai Wang Received: 11 July 2025 Revised: 5 August 2025 Accepted: 13 August 2025 Published: 18 August 2025 Citation: Buscemi, S.; Bonventre, G.; Gottardo, A.; Licciardi, M.; Palumbo, F.S.; Cassata, G.; Cicero, L.; Lo Monte, G.; Puleio, R.; Lo Monte, A.I. Biliary Injuries Repair Using Copolymeric Scaffold: A Systematic Review and In Vivo Experimental Study. J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16, 297. https:// doi.org/10.3390/jfb16080297 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/). was implanted. The animals were sacrificed at one and three months for gross and histological examinations, to assess tissue integration and healing outcomes. Results: The systematic review highlighted that such scaffolds have shown promising results in CBD regeneration, both in single and joined applications. These findings were confirmed by the in vivo study, where the use of such scaffolds—particularly, the planar ones—led to safe and complete bile duct regeneration. Histological analysis revealed lymphomonocytic infiltrates and neovascularization, while microscopic examination showed progressive scaffold degradation accompanied by biliary tissue regeneration. Conclusions: Experimental results are consistent with the literature, confirming the potential of such polymeric scaffolds in aiding complete CBD regeneration and being reabsorbed shortly after. Still, further studies are needed to fully validate their translational application. PROSPERO ID: CRD420251115056