La Realtà Virtuale al servizio della Didattica

Alla fine degli anni ’50, il regista Morton Heilig, universalmente noto come padre della Realtà Virtuale, presentò al Mondo un prototipo denominato Sensorama. Oggi, a quasi 70 anni di distanza, il sogno di consentire pressoché a chiunque un’esperienza sensoriale che sia, al tempo stesso credibile e alternativa, sembra sul punto di avverarsi; grazie ad una tecnologia finalmente all’altezza delle intuizioni di Heilig, ma grazie anche agli enormi investimenti prodotti, in modo specifico, dall’industria videoludica. Tuttavia, ben oltre il contesto dell’Entertainment, le applicazioni potenziali della Realtà Virtuale sembrano poter attraversare gli ambiti più disparati, incidendo in modo particolarmente significativo nel campo dell’Educazione. Mentre, tra Stati Uniti e Oriente tecnologico, gran parte delle Università più prestigiose propongono non solo progetti sperimentali in VR, ma anche risultati significativi in termini di apprendimento, la questione da porre è la seguente: può un sistema, per lo più ideato e realizzato col fine ultimo di intrattenere, costituire la chiave di volta per una Rivoluzione Didattica di proporzioni globali

Experimental bilocality violation without shared reference frames

Non-classical correlations arising in complex quantum networks are attracting growing interest, both from a fundamental perspective and for potential applications in information processing. In particular, in an entanglement swapping scenario a new kind of correlations arise, the so-called nonbilocal correlations that are incompatible with local realism augmented with the assumption that the sources of states used in the experiment are independent. In practice, however, bilocality tests impose strict constraints on the experimental setup and in particular to presence of shared reference frames between the parties. Here, we experimentally address this point showing that false positive nonbilocal quantum correlations can be observed even though the sources of states are independent. To overcome this problem, we propose and demonstrate a new scheme for the violation of bilocality that does not require shared reference frames and thus constitute an important building block for future investigations of quantum correlations in complex networks.Comment: 10 page

An alternative C–P cross-coupling route for the synthesis of novel V-shaped aryldiphosphonic acids

The synthesis of phosphonate esters is a topic of interest for various fields, including the preparation of phosphonic acids to be employed as organic linkers for the construction of metal phosphonate materials. We report an alternative method that requires no solvent and involves a different order of addition of reactants to perform the transition-metal-catalyzed C–P cross-coupling reaction, often referred to as the Tavs reaction, employing NiCl(2) as a pre-catalyst in the phosphonylation of aryl bromide substrates using triisopropyl phosphite. This new method was employed in the synthesis of three novel aryl diphosphonate esters which were subsequently transformed to phosphonic acids through silylation and hydrolysis

Action research on transition program addressed to young adults with Intellectual Disabilities carried out in Ireland

Individuals with intellectual disabilities are faced with significant barriers relating to the transition to adult life and jobs. The research’ purposes were: to determine what evidence-based transition programs have been realized since the introduction of UNCRPD; to design and evaluate the effectiveness of the transition program E-IDEAS (carried out in Ireland), aimed to support workplace inclusion. A systematic literature review was carried out, and the elements emerged were used to develop the program, attended by 5 participants, and provided with five work-placements. Pre-and post-intervention standardized assessments were taken for measuring the improvement in quality of life and adaptive behaviour

La Realtà Virtuale al servizio della Didattica

Towards the end of the Fifties film director Morton Heilig, universally known as the Father of Virtual Reality, presented the world with a prototype named Sensorama.Today, after nearly 70 years, that dream may be about to come true: thanks to technological progress, which has finally met the standards of Heilig's brainchild, and to the huge financial investments made by the gaming industry, virtually anyone will have the opportunity to live a life-like, and at the same time unconventional, full-sensory experience.However, far beyond the Entertainment industry, the potential applications of Virtual Reality could branch off in several areas of interest; in particular, it could have a significant impact on the field of Education.While a large number of major universities throughout the US and the technologically advanced Asia are not only implementing experimental VR projects, but also producing significative results in terms of knowledge acquisition, the theme of our debate is this: is it possible for a system, conceived and created with entertainment as its ultimate purpose, to become the cornerstone of a worldwide Didactic Revolution

Pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

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The impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on renal function in children with overweight/obesity

The association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic kidney disease has attracted interest and attention over recent years. However, no data are available in children. We determined whether children with NAFLD show signs of renal functional alterations, as determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin excretion. We studied 596 children with overweight/obesity, 268 with NAFLD (hepatic fat fraction >= 5% on magnetic resonance imaging) and 328 without NAFLD, and 130 healthy normal-weight controls. Decreased GFR was defined as eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Abnormal albuminuria was defined as urinary excretion of >= 30 mg/24 h of albumin. A greater prevalence of eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 was observed in patients with NAFLD compared to those without liver involvement and healthy subjects (17.5% vs. 6.7% vs. 0.77%; p < 0.0001). The proportion of children with abnormal albuminuria was also higher in the NAFLD group compared to those without NAFLD, and controls (9.3% vs. 4.0% vs. 0; p < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that NAFLD was associated with decreased eGFR and/or microalbuminuria (odds ratio, 2.54 (confidence interval, 1.16-5.57); p < 0.05) independently of anthropometric and clinical variables. Children with NAFLD are at risk for early renal dysfunction. Recognition of this abnormality in the young may help to prevent the ongoing development of the disease