showing 36 of ~574560 from 574555 documents
Fictitious Meals, Culinary Constraints: The Recipe Form in Four Oulipian Texts
2021
AbstractThis article looks into fictitious meals and the use of culinary recipe form in experimental and procedural literature, namely, works of constrained writing associated with OuLiPo (Ouvroir de Littérature Potentielle). The recipe form is first scrutinized from the procedural, structural, and historical viewpoints, also concerning its lesser-known imaginative and esoteric genealogy. In addition, its connections to the notions of narrativity and fiction are discussed. The recipe's relationship to action is depicted by a simple procedural model. There is a metaphorical and conceptual, but also formal and operational, similarity between the coded procedures of cooking and writing. A reci…
Variable scale effects on hillslope soil erosion during rainfall-runoff processes
2021
Abstract The variation of soil erosion across scales remains a controversial issue. A theoretical framework, coupling the normalized Green-Ampt equation for infiltration, 1D kinematic wave model for overland flow, and WEPP erosion modeling approaches for soil erosion, was used to explain and quantify the direct effect of scale on the soil erosion process. The results show that the relation between interrill erosion and slope length accords with a power-law decreasing trend, while the relation of rill erosion versus slope length shows a power-law increasing trend. Moreover, the power-law scaling of interrill erosion becomes more prominent with an increase of rainfall duration and intensity b…
Immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in older residents of a long-term care facility: relation with age, frailty and prior infection …
2021
Clinical and biological assessment of the COVID-19 vaccine efficacy in the frail population is of crucial importance. The study focuses on measuring the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies before and after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination among long-term care facility (LTCF) elderly residents. We conducted a prospective, single-center, observational study among LTCF residents. The study protocol was based on three blood sample acquisitions: first taken at baseline—5 days before the first dose of the vaccine, second—20 days after the first dose, and third—12 days after the second shot of the vaccine. The comparison was made for two cohorts: patients with and without prior COVID-19 inf…
ACINQUE. Un archivio di immagini e parole per la Sicilia: libri d'artista per (re)immaginare l'isola.
2021
Il contributo propone un approfondimento sul tema del libro d'artista attraverso l'esame di ACINQUE, un archivio di libri d'artista fondato nel 2018 da Giuseppe Mendolia Calella grazie a una open call rivolta a creativi attivi in diversi settori. ACINQUE costituisce un caso studio particolarmente interessante in seno al fenomeno del libro d'artista e vanta la partecipazione di autori di alto profilo; queste le ragioni del successo dell'iniziativa ancora in progress.
Relationship between lead absorption and iron status and its association with oxidative stress markers in lead-exposed workers
2021
Background: The emission of lead (Pb) occurring during the extraction, processing and industrial applications of this element remains a significant environmental risk factor. The absorbability of lead in humans is strongly associated with the general health status of exposed individuals. Existing mineral deficiencies are considered being a predisposition to an increased Pb uptake. Both, iron deficiency and lead poisoning are the major caus-ative factors responsible for the prevalence of anemia within the vulnerable population, especially in children. Although some of the intervention programs of counteracting lead poisoning by iron supplementation proved to be effective in the Pb-exposed po…
An integrated methodological approach for optimising complex systems subjected to predictive maintenance
2021
Abstract The present paper addresses the relevant topic of maintenance management, widely recognised as a fundamental issue involving complex engineering systems and leading companies towards the optimisation of their assets while pursuing cost efficiency. With this regard, our research aims to provide companies with a hybrid methodological approach based on Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) capable to deal with the main failures potentially involving complex systems subjected to predictive maintenance. Such an approach is going to be integrated within the framework of traditional Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), whose strengths and weaknesses are considered. In pa…
Effects of Aging on the Structure and Expression of NMDA Receptors of Somatostatin Expressing Neurons in the Mouse Hippocampus
2021
Changes in the physiology, neurochemistry and structure of neurons, particularly of their dendritic spines, are thought to be crucial players in age-related cognitive decline. One of the most studied brain structures affected by aging is the hippocampus, known to be involved in different essential cognitive processes. While the aging-associated quantitative changes in dendritic spines of hippocampal pyramidal cells have already been studied, the relationship between aging and the structural dynamics of hippocampal interneurons remains relatively unknown. Spines are not a frequent feature in cortical inhibitory neurons, but these postsynaptic structures are abundant in a subpopulation of som…
Fatal Tumour Lysis Syndrome Induced by Brigatinib in a Lung Adenocarcinoma Patient Treated With Sequential ALK Inhibitors: A Case Report
2021
Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) represents a group of fatal metabolic derangements resulting from the rapid breakdown of tumour cells. TLS typically occurs soon after the administration of chemotherapy in haematologic malignancies but is rarely observed in solid tumours. Here, we report a case of brigatinib-induced TLS after treatment with sequential anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors in a patient with advanced ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma. The patient was treated sequentially with crizotinib, alectinib, and ensartinib. High-throughput molecular profiling after disease progression indicated that brigatinib may overcome ALK resistance mutations, so the patient was administered bri…
Order boundedness and spectrum in locally convex quasi *-algebras
2021
After a quick sketch of the basic aspects of locally convex quasi *-algebras, we focus on order bounded elements and use them to analyze some spectral properties, trying to generalize the approach already studied in the Banach case.
Exploring land snails’ response to habitat characteristics and their potential as bioindicators of riparian forest quality
2021
Abstract Riparian ecosystems are crucial for landscape-level biodiversity, especially in highly anthropic and agricultural areas. Although the low mobility of snails reduces their dispersal capacity and makes them vulnerable to habitat degradation, they are less commonly used as indicators. We evaluated the potential of land snails as bioindicators of riparian forest quality in central European riparian forests by surveying snail communities in relation to habitat characteristics that characterize its quality. Habitat characteristics were found to affect both snail abundance and species richness. The abundance of snail species increased with the forest continuity, forest width and abundance…
Bout duration and number of players of soccer small-sided games affect perceived enjoyment, physiological responses, and technical-tactical performan…
2021
To compare perceived enjoyment (PE), % of heart rate peak (%HRpeak), blood lactate (La), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and technical-tactical performance of soccer players after four-a-side (4vs4) and three-a-side (3vs3) small-sided games (SSGs) with goalkeepers.Sixteen males (20.7 ± 0.7 years; experience: 6.9 ± 1.2 years) completed and were measured after six sessions of SSGs (one twelve-minute bout (1x12), two six-minute bouts (2x6), and three four-minute bouts (3x4), both 3vs3 and 4vs4). Repeated measurements ANOVA evaluated significant differences (There was higher PE for 1 × 12 compared to 2 × 6 (effect sizes [ES] = 1.53 [3vs3 and 4vs4]) and 3 × 4 (ES = 3.13 [4vs4] and 4.16 [3vs3…
Il lessico agro-pastorale nei vocabolari siciliani dell'Ottocento
2021
I più importanti vocabolari siciliani dell’800, redatti sulla base degli stessi principi e metodi che hanno ispirato e sorretto la lessicografia dialettale italiana della stessa epoca, rappresentano sostanzialmente l’esperienza “cittadina”, il dialetto delle grandi città. Conseguentemente, il lessico relativo al mondo rurale, al lavoro dei contadini e dei pastori, risulta – in queste opere – trascurato, quando non inesistente. Questa condizione, già messa in luce da G. Piccitto (Per un moderno vocabolario siciliano, Università di Catania, Biblioteca della Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia, 1950) e ribadita da A. Varvaro (A. Varvaro, Gli intellettuali e il lavoro. I vocabolari siciliani dell’Ot…
Drug-Coated Balloon vs. Stent for de novo Non-small Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2021
Introduction: Drug-coated balloon (DCB) has been an attractive option in de novo vessels. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DCB vs. stent for treating de novo lesions in non-small vessels.Methods: Studies in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science were searched (from their commencement to March 2021). This meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.3.Results: A total of 3 random controlled trials (RCTs) with 255 patients and 2 observational studies (OS) with 265 patients were included in this meta-analysis following our inclusion criteria. It could be observed that DCB presented no …
The ARYA crop yield forecasting algorithm: Application to the main wheat exporting countries
2021
Abstract Wheat is the most important commodity traded in the international food market. Thus, accurate and timely information on wheat production can help mitigate food price fluctuations. Within the existing operational regional and global scale agricultural monitoring systems that provide information on global crop yield and area forecasts, there are still fundamental gaps: #1. Lack of quantitative Earth Observation (EO) derived crop information, #2. Lack of global but detailed (national or subnational level) and timely crop production forecasts and #3. Lack of information on forecast uncertainties. In this study we present the Agriculture Remotely-sensed Yield Algorithm (ARYA) an EO-base…
For a real job? : Views on the teaching of competence in working life by students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
2021
In this study, twelve young students on the autism spectrum were interviewed on preparation for working life, employment guidance, the challenges and strengths of the autism spectrum, and suitable teaching methods. Interviews were supported by a structured and illustrated questionnaire. The data were analysed using key statistics. The results showed that, from the students’ perspective, the most important issues in preparation for work are familiarisation with different jobs, guidance in searching for a suitable job, evaluation of the suitability of the working environment, integration of occupational safety into work skills, and acquiring conversational skills in the workplace. The selecti…
Trophic ecology of a Late Pleistocene early modern human from tropical Southeast Asia inferred from zinc isotopes
2021
Tam Pà Ling, a cave site in northeastern Laos, has yielded the earliest skeletal evidence of Homo sapiens in mainland Southeast Asia. The reliance of Pleistocene humans in rainforest settings on plant or animal resources is still largely unstudied, mainly due to poor collagen preservation in fossils from tropical environments precluding stable nitrogen isotope analysis, the classical trophic level proxy. However, isotopic ratios of zinc (Zn) in bioapatite constitute a promising proxy to infer trophic and dietary information from fossil vertebrates, even under adverse tropical taphonomic conditions. Here, we analyzed the zinc isotope composition (66Zn/64Zn expressed as δ66Zn value) in the en…
Introduction: New Perspectives in Irish Theatre
2021
The text aims to introduce the topics dealt with by all the authors of the volume.
Lateral flow assays (LFA) as an alternative medical diagnosis method for detection of virus species: The intertwine of nanotechnology with sensing st…
2021
Viruses are responsible for multiple infections in humans that impose huge health burdens on individuals and populations worldwide. Therefore, numerous diagnostic methods and strategies have been developed for prevention, management, and decreasing the burden of viral diseases, each having its advantages and limitations. Viral infections are commonly detected using serological and nucleic acid-based methods. However, these conventional and clinical approaches have some limitations that can be resolved by implementing other detector devices. Therefore, the search for sensitive, selective, portable, and costless approaches as efficient alternative clinical methods for point of care testing (P…
Chemical characterization of organic residues on Late Roman amphorae from shipwrecks off the coast of Marsala (Trapani, Italy)
2021
Abstract Organic residues were extracted from thirty-three different types of Roman and Late Antique amphorae retrieved from underwater contexts in the custody of the Archaeological Museum “Baglio Anselmi” of Marsala in Sicily. The samples were analysed using GC-MS and 1H NMR, finding biomarkers of plant oils (including saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, alcohols and alkanes present in plant waxes) were identified in seven samples. The biomarkers for Pinaceae spp., used for making pitch, were identified in one sample. The results obtained shed light on the function of different types of North African amphorae, traditionally interpreted as containers for olive oil, wine and fish sauce, p…
Clinical features and comorbidity pattern of HCV infected migrants compared to native patients in care in Italy: A real-life evaluation of the PITER …
2021
Background: Direct-acting antivirals are highly effective for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, regardless race/ethnicity. We aimed to evaluate demographic, virological and clinical data of HCV-infected migrants vs. natives consecutively enrolled in the PITER cohort. Methods: Migrants were defined by country of birth and nationality that was different from Italy. Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression were used. Results: Of 10,669 enrolled patients, 301 (2.8%) were migrants: median age 47 vs. 62 years, (p < 0.001), females 56.5% vs. 45.3%, (p < 0.001), HBsAg positivity 3.8% vs. 1.4%, (p < 0.05). Genotype 1b was prevalent in both gro…
Geografia sociale e partecipazione. L’esperienza di #esserefiera
2021
Social geography cannot be confined to a theoretical dimension, however necessary: it is expected to play an active role, to encourage encounters with social actors and stakeholders, to take on a dimension of public engagement. Even in Italy this dimension is increasingly important, as universities are placing a growing value on their so-called third mission. Social geography must then address the fundamental issue of participation and its techniques. In doing so, those who graduate in geography will also be able to claim an essential role in the management of decision-making processes and participatory planning. This paper explores some methods and approaches that younger geographers can u…
On Defining the Participatory Museum: The Case of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk
2021
This article seeks to contribute to the current debate on the new definition of the “museum” – a debate which led to turmoil at the 2019 ICOM General Assembly in Kyoto. With reference to the case study of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk (MSWW), it analyses the new and very successful genre of the narrative museum, a genre which arguably fulfils the core elements of the definition currently being discussed by ICOM. In this regard, it brings into focus the paramount importance of community involvement in creating and managing narrative museums – an aspect that has been virtually absent in the academic and media debates over the nature of the MSWW and its programme. By pointing ou…
Branching fraction measurements of arsenic 4p25s-4p3 transitions
2021
Abstract Transition lines of neutral arsenic atom (As I) have been observed in the spectra of stellar and sub-stellar objects. Accurate and reliable data of oscillator strengths of those transitions allow differentiating between different evolution models of those objects. We have measured branching fractions for As I (4p25s-4p3) transition lines in 180–310 nm spectral range with higher increased accuracy using light source powered by inductively coupled radio frequency plasma (RF-ICP) source – not earlier applied in studies of atomic arsenic. The measurements were performed for 7 excited states of As I and compared with data from the literature. We combined them with the selected lifetime …
La pratica del cadavre exquis e l’architettura di Rem Koolhaas
2021
La presentazione del volume di Paola Scala è svolta sotto forma di tre eserghi e svela la tela nella quale la docente napoletana, con mano sicura, tratteggia la gura di Rem Koolhaas che rimane il protagonista assoluto del libro. Quindi è solo in parte vera l’affermazione iniziale che «questo libro non è una monografia» sull’architetto olandese come altrettanto parziale sembra essere la quarta di copertina in cui si dichiara che «questo libro si occupa del concetto di “riferimento” in architettura nel lavoro di Koolhaas, Ungers e Rossi. Soprattutto indaga quel processo per cui le affermazioni legate alla memoria vengono fissate nella rappresentazione possibile e alternativa. In altre parole,…
The banana project: a qualitative study of caregivers’ and teachers’ experiences of preschool children participating in a free banana school fruit sc…
2021
IntroductionGood nutrition is the foundation of sustainable growth and development among children. The United Nations aims to achieve food security and improve nutrition through its Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Zero Hunger. In close collaboration with local communities and authorities, the Tanga International Competence Centre, Tanzania, supports projects aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. One of their initiatives, The Banana Project, which is a free school fruit scheme, started in 2011 based on a recognised need for nutritional support among preschool children at a rural school in Tanga District. In the interest of improving nutrition, the free school …
Le due Algeri di Pontecorvo: spazi sociali nella lotta all’indipendenza
2021
Nel breve saggio si riflette sul ruolo del cinema come mezzo capace di mostrare lo spazio come luogo di lotta politica. Attraverso l’ascolto e la narrazione degli “attori” locali, nell’elaborazione dei loro pensieri, si è costruito il film ma anche una metodologia della ricerca. Pontecorvo affronta il tema della violenza mostrandone tutti i lati oscuri, ne ricostruisce l’escalation senza dimenticare che il centro della storia è la resistenza anticoloniale. Su queste basi, il saggio, mostra come lo spazio di Algeri sia frammentato in due (colonizzatori e colonizzati) e come la lotta sfrutti le caratteristiche topologiche della città
A regenerative 3D scaffold for inguinal hernia repair. MR imaging and histological cross evidence. Qualitative study
2021
Abstract Background Inguinal hernia is a degenerative disease occurring in a high motile surround. Stopping degeneration and promoting tissue regeneration should be the treatment goal. Groin hernias are conventionally managed with static flat meshes, mostly fixated to the delicate inguinal environment. Far from a regenerative effect, the biologic response of conventional hernia meshes is characterized by a foreign body reaction leading to a stiff/shrunken scar plate, which is often the source of unpleasant complications. Recently, a newly engineered 3D device for inguinal hernia repair – ProFlor-has been developed to produce a regenerative biological response. Unlike conventional hernia mes…
Acceptance towards digital health interventions – Model validation and further development of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology
2021
Internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMI) offer an effective way to complement health care. Acceptance of IMI, a key facilitator of their implementation in routine care, is often low. Based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study validates and adapts the UTAUT to digital health care. Following a systematic literature search, 10 UTAUT-grounded original studies (N = 1588) assessing patients' and health professionals' acceptance of IMI for different somatic and mental health conditions were included. All included studies assessed Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions and acceptance as well as age, gender,…
Nonlinear refraction and absorption of spectrally tuneable picosecond pulses in carbon disulfide
2021
Abstract We analyze the spectral dependence of the nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient of carbon disulfide (CS2) in the spectral range of 400–1100 nm using picosecond laser pulses. An increase of the nonlinear refractive index of CS2 at the shorter wavelength region compared with the near infrared region (9 × 10−14 cm2 W−1 (λ = 700 nm) and 4 × 10−14 cm2 W−1 (λ = 1000 nm), respectively) follows by a decrease of this parameter at the wavelengths below 600 nm. We compare the spectral dependences of the lower- and higher-order nonlinear absorption coefficients in carbon disulfide. The three-photon absorption coefficient was found to be maximal at λ = 1000 nm (β3PA = …
Innoeduca : international journal of technology and educational innovation
2021
La integración de las tecnologías en el ámbito educativo es una realidad innegable en la sociedad del siglo XXI, caracterizada por los rápidos cambios que posibilitan la revolución educativa y la innovación. Muestra de ello es el uso de videojuegos en los centros escolares de las etapas de Educación Infantil y Primaria. Estas prácticas gamificadas mediante tecnología no están exentas de críticas o susceptibilidades sobre sus posibilidades educativas. Con el fin de describir los beneficios y posibilidades de la introducción de los videojuegos en las aulas detectados en la literatura científica, se ha realizado un estudio de revisión bibliográfica. Para ello, se utilizaron cuatro bases de dat…
Is the Short and Fast Step Test a safe and feasible tool for exploring anaerobic capacities of individuals with coronary heart disease in clinical pr…
2021
Background While its importance in daily living, the anaerobic metabolism is not taken into account in clinical practice. The lack of validated functional performance tests for patients with chronic disabilities may explain this defect. In this context, the Short and Fast Step Test (SFST) was recently developed and validated in healthy volunteers. Aim The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety, feasibility and reliability of the SFST, a functional test exploring anaerobic metabolism in coronary patients during cardiac rehabilitation. Design This study was a monocentric prospective study. Settings This study took place in the rehabilitation center of the University Hospital Cent…
Temporal dynamic of biofilms enhances the settlement of the central-1 Mediterranean reef2 builder Dendropoma cristatum (Biondi, 1859)
2021
Research on marine invertebrate settlement provides baseline knowledge for restoration technique implementation, especially for biogenic engineers with limited dispersion ability. Previously, we determined that the maturity of a biofilm strongly enhances the settlement of the vermetid reef-builder Dendropoma cristatum . In order to elucidate which biofilm features support a higher settlement of this species, we analyse the structure and composition of a marine biofilm over time, through microscopic observations, eukaryotic and prokaryotic fingerprinting analyses and 16S rDNA Illumina sequencing. The vermetid settlement temporal increase matched with the higher biofilm extent on the substrat…
PALERMO: BIOGRAFIA DI UNA CITTÀ
2021
Il contributo sviluppa temi teorici disciplinari nel campo dell'Urbanistica a partire dalla presentazione del volume "PALERMO BIOGRAFIA PROGETTUALE DI UNA CITTÀ AUMENTATA" (a cura di MAURIZIO CARTA, LetteraVentidue, Siracusa 2021).
Osservazioni su gioco, scommessa e responsabilità della p.a.
2021
The essay analyzes the recent regulatory and jurisprudential developments in gaming and betting, focusing peculiarly on the public administration’s responsibility pro le for the act committed by its concessionaires towards the consumer. The script criticized, in particular, the orientation of the Court of Cassation according to which the supervisory and control powers weighting on the p.a. towards the gaming and betting concessionaire give rise to indirect liability pursuant to art. 2049 of the Italian Civil Code.
Una pioggia vitale
2021
Pioggia di Libri è una manifestazione promossa da Andrea Sciascia, nell’ambito delle attività didattiche e scientifiche del Dipartimento di Architettura che ha lo scopo di divulgare ed incentivare il rapporto tra gli studenti ed il mondo accademico. Con il presente contributo, l’autore (da delegato alla Didattica per il Dipartimento di Architettura) evidenzia alcune importanti ricadute dirette di questa iniziativa sul piano formativo per gli studenti. Rain of Books is an event promoted by Andrea Sciascia, as part of the educational and scientific activities of the Department of Architecture which aims to disseminate and encourage the relationship between students and the academic world. Wit…
Campus Asia “Cinema Paradise” 2021. “Above the clouds”: Un progetto temporaneo per la Valle di Bolognetta
2021
In the frame of the international winter school organized by Campus Asia, the Valley of Bolognetta has been chosen by the LabCity Architecture group as the official site for an architectural competition. On the 30th anniversary of the Academy Award to Maestro Giuseppe Tornatore, Campus Asia promoted “Cinema Paradise” as main theme to design an architectural project that is envisioned as strictly connected to the people and to the environment. The project “Above the cloud”, presented by LabCity Architecture Team from the University of Palermo, joins nature and architecture through the design of a performative event.