TEACHERS PERCEPTION OF COMPUTER SUPPORTED PROBLEM SOLVING: AN ITALIAN RESEARCH

Abstract. Requirements for educational software could be based on an analysis of existing learning situations. In order to obtain useful information about teaching practices, an explorative study has been conducted with a group of Italian teachers. Collected answers highlight that pedagogical support is needed in order to design effective educational software.

Tateo, L., Marsico, G., Annarumma, M., Ammaturo, G., Iannaccone, A. (2006) Teachers perception of computer supported problem solving: An Italian research

Requirements for educational software could be based on an analysis of existing learning situations. In order to obtain useful information about teaching practices, an explorative study has been conducted with a group of Italian teachers. Collected answers highlight that pedagogical support is needed in order to design effective educational software

Group decision making emerging from thecourse of action. A situated perspective on faceto face computer supported collaborative problemsolving in the classroom

Cultural psychology, linguistic anthropology and sociology of knowledge have demonstrated that cognitive processes do not take place only in individual minds, but depend on the specific task performed, the tools and artefacts mediating the activity and the knowledge distributed among individuals in social contexts (Andriessen, Baker, Suthers, 2003; Cole, 1996; Engeström, 1999; Goodwin, 2003). Thus, cognitive actions, tasks and tools are always part of a system, situated in a larger social context of activity. From this perspective, this article focuses on micro-genetic group decision making (GDM) processes taking place during computer-supported collaborative problem solving activities in the classroom

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy vs. Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy for grade III haemorrhoids: a randomized clinical trial

The aim of this double blind randomized clinical trial was to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH group) performed using a circular stapler with that of the Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy (MMH group). A total of 79 consecutive patients with grade III haemorrhoids were randomized into two groups treated with SH (n. 39) and MMH (n. 40). The outcomes of the procedures were evaluated postoperatively and over a follow-up period of minimum 2 years. Patients undergoing the SH procedure showed greater short term advantages than MMH group with reduced pain, shorter length of hospital stay, earlier return to work and high patient satisfaction. Long-term follow-up has indicated more favourable results in MMH group in terms of resumption of symptoms with absence of residual prolapse and risk of recurrence of prolapse. At two years follow-up recurrent prolapse was confirmed in six patients of SH group (13%) whereas in none of the MMH group. At six months follow-up there weren’t significant difference in the mean satisfaction score for the two groups. At two years the mean satisfaction score was higher in the MMH group vs SH group. Seven patients in the SH group needed a reoperation whereas none in MMH group. From January 2009, in our Surgery Unit the patients are always informed about a higher recurrence rate of SH and we perform this technique only when the patient choices to accept this risk to take advantage of the short-term benefits of this procedure

Selective Manganese-Catalyzed Semihydrogenation of Alkynes with in-situ Generated H2 from KBH4 and Methanol

The selective semihydrogenation of alkynes with the Mn(I) alkyl catalyst fac-[Mn(dippe)(CO)3(CH2CH2CH3)] (dippe = 1,2-bis(di-iso-propylphosphino)ethane) as pre-catalyst is described. Hydrogen gas required for the hydrogenation is generated in situ upon alcoholysis of KBH4 with methanol. A series of aryl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, alkyl-alkyl and terminal alkynes were readily hydrogenated to yield E-alkenes in good to excellent isolated yields. The reaction proceeds at 90°C with catalyst loadings of 0.5 -2 mol%. The implemented protocol tolerates a variety of electron donating and electron withdrawing functional groups including halides, phenols, nitriles, unprotected amines and heterocycles. The reaction can be upscaled to the gram scale. Mechanistic investigations including deuterium labelling studies and DFT calculations were undertaken to provide a reasonable reaction mechanism showing that initially formed Z-isomer undergoes fast isomerization to afford the thermodynamically more stable E-isomer

Preeclampsia: state of art and future perspectives. A special focus on possible preventions

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterised by the new onset of hypertension after the 20th week of pregnancy, with or without proteinuria or hypertension that leads to end-organ dysfunction. Since the only definitive treatment is delivery, PE still represents one of the leading causes of preterm birth and perinatal mobility and mortality. Therefore, any strategies that aim to reduce adverse outcomes are based on early primary prevention, prenatal surveillance and prophylactic interventions. In the last decade, intense research has been focussed on the study of predictive models in order to identify women at higher risk accurately. To date, the most effective screening model is based on the combination of anamnestic, demographic, biophysical and maternal biochemical factors. In this review, we provide a detailed discussion about the current and future perspectives in the field of PE. We will examine pathogenesis, risk factors and clinical features. Moreover, recent developments in screening and prevention strategies, novel therapies and healthcare management strategies will be discussed

Plasma and urinary levels of lead and cadmium in patients with endometriosis

Purpose: An etiopathogenetic link between heavy metals and endometriosis has been demonstrated both in in-vivo and in-vitro studies, because of their ability to interfere with oestrogen action. The aim of this study was to analyse serum and urinary levels of lead and cadmium among patients suffering from endometriosis. Material and methods: 126 patients undergoing laparoscopy for unexplained infertility were divided in three groups: 80 endometriosis-free women (group A), 22 patients with mild endometriosis (group B), 24 women with severe endometriosis (group C). Main findings: significantly lower Pb plasma levels in group C compared to group B and controls, a nonstatistically significant trend towards higher values of serum Cd levels in patients with endometriosis versus controls, no differences in urinary Cd levels among the studied groups, urinary Pb levels higher in group C versus group B and controls. Conclusions: lower serum lead levels in patients with severe endometriosis compared to controls may indicate a metabolically active role of the endometriotic nodule

Diagnostic accuracy of endocervicoscopy as preoperative tool to improve the excisional treatment of cervical pre-neoplastic lesions

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of endocervicoscopy as a pre-operative examination to improve the outcome of the excisional treatment (LEEP) of high-grade cervical preneoplastic lesions