Search results for " tools."

Diagnostics of autoimmune bullous diseases in German dermatology departments

2012

Summary Background: No consistent data are available on the currently employed diagnostic tools for autoimmune bullous diseases in Germany. The aim of this survey was to describe currently performed diagnostic methods for bullous autoimmune diseases in German dermatology departments. Methods: A standardized questionnaire evaluated the available diagnostic methods i. e. direct immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM), indirect IFM, commercial ELISA systems, and non-commercial serological tests as well as the number of samples per year in all 34 university and 39 non-university dermatology departments. Results: The overall return rate was 89 %, 100 % and 79 % for the university and non-university …

European culture, history, and heritage as political tools in the rhetoric of the Finns Party

2019

Various studies have indicated how notions and (mis)interpretations of national history, heritage, and culture are utilized by diverse populist and extremist political parties in Europe. However, scholars have less explored how the idea of a common European history, heritage, and culture are used by these parties to justify their xenophobic, anti-immigration, anti-globalization, and monoculturalist political attitudes and the defense of ‘us’. This chapter focuses on this question by examining the political rhetoric of the Finns Party, the core populist party in Finland. The data consists of selected texts discussing broadly the topics of the EU, Europe, nation, identity, and/or culture, pub…

Ten Actions to Counteract Vaccine Hesitancy Suggested by the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health.

2022

Vaccine hesitancy (VH) is one of the main causes of the widespread decline in vaccination coverage and has become the subject of ongoing debate among public health professionals. The present commentary is a “decalogue” of strategic actions to counteract vaccine hesitancy for public health professionals that comes from the cognitive and formative path put in place by the “Communication in Public Health” working group (WG) of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health. From the establishment of a national, multidisciplinary WG on VH to the activation of a national monitoring/surveillance system on vaccine hesitancy, several proposals are discussed. The identificati…

Oleanane-type saponins from the roots of Wisteria floribunda macrobotrys

2016

Molecular diagnostic tools for the detection and characterization of Phoma tracheiphila

2011

In the recent years PCR-based techniques for the identification and detection of Phoma tracheiphila, the causal agent of citrus mal secco disease, have been evaluated aiming to provide tools for biological and epidemiological studies. A wide collection of P. tracheiphila strains was used to evaluate and validate diagnostic protocols and a fAFLP method for fungal characterization. Conventional and real-time PCR protocols were successfully tested for the specific identification of P. tracheiphila and its detection in planta. A further improvement of the real-time PCR protocol and the DNA extraction methods allowed the quantification of the fungus both from naturally infected and artificially …

Developing Phonological Awareness in Blended-learning Language Courses

2013

This study is based on Second Language Acquisition through blended learning and explores the application of new educational technologies in the development of distance education. In particular, the paper focuses on ways to enhance oral, aural, and intercultural skills through learners' engagement, develop authentic social interaction and intercultural awareness in virtual environments and at the same time actively engage the students' powers of perception, communication DQGUHDVRQLQJ��$ �VSHHFKYLVXDOL) DWLRQWHFKQRORJ\ �LVLQWURGXFHG�� VSHFL?FDOO\�WDLO RUHGWR� pronunciation training. It provides relevant and comprehensible visual feedback of all three components of speech: prosody-intonation, …

A Quantum-Like View to a Generalized Two Players Game

2015

This paper consider the possibility of using some quantum tools in decision making strategies. In particular, we consider here a dynamical open quantum system helping two players, $\G_1$ and $\G_2$, to take their decisions in a specific context. We see that, within our approach, the final choices of the players do not depend in general on their initial {\em mental states}, but they are driven essentially by the environment which interacts with them. The model proposed here also considers interactions of different nature between the two players, and it is simple enough to allow for an analytical solution of the equations of motion.

Few Simple Rules to Fix the Dynamics of Classical Systems Using Operators

2012

We show how to use operators in the description of exchanging processes often taking place in (complex) classical systems. In particular, we propose a set of rules giving rise to an Hamiltonian operator for such a system \({\mathcal{S}}\), which can be used to deduce the dynamics of \({\mathcal{S}}\).

Efficient CAD of Generalized Coaxial Probes in Rectangular Waveguide using the 3D BI-RME Method

2006

An efficient full-wave method based on the 3D BI-RME (boundary integral-resonant mode expansion) technique for the accurate design of generalized probe-excited rectangular waveguides is presented. The flexibility of the developed CAD tool allows to analyze two common configurations frequently used in modern coaxial-fed microwave devices: conventional and disc-ended coaxial probe excitation. This last configuration is used to drastically improve the electrical response of the classical coaxial probe excitation. Moreover, the influence of the distance from the probe to the waveguide shortcircuit is also discussed, and it is shown that it plays a very important role in the design of probe-exci…

3D-Printable Model of a Particle Trap: Development and Use in the Physics Classroom

2019

Quadrupole ion traps are modern and versatile research tools used in mass spectrometers, in atomic frequency and time standards, in trapped ion quantum computing research, and for trapping anti-hydrogen ions at CERN. Despite their educational potential, quadrupole ion traps are seldom introduced into the physics classroom not least because commercial quadrupole ion traps appropriate for classroom use are expensive and difficult to set up. We present an open hardware 3D-printable quadrupole ion trap suitable for the classroom, which is capable of trapping lycopodium spores. We also provide student worksheets developed in an iterative design process, which can guide students while discovering…