74 research outputs found
Metaphors, Analogies, Symbols: In Search of Naturalness in Tangible User Interfaces
International audienceIn this paper we discuss how metaphors, and in general the translation of meaning between different knowledge domains, relate to the understanding of the interface between a human and a computing system, hence to its naturalness. Focusing on tangible user interfaces we analyze metaphors, analogies and symbolic representations developed in the computing interaction area to represent concepts in human computer interfaces along three main dimensions: the coherence of their use in linking concepts of some domain to the implementation of the interface, the coverage of the concepts implemented with respect to the amplitude of the knowledge domain, and their compliance with respect to the expectations of the human experience. We justify the choice of these properties by analyzing five simple tangible systems proposed in the literature according to these three dimensions, trying to understand how they support the development of interaction styles that users can exploit naturally
A Design Space for Exploring Rich and Complex Information Environments
International audienceIn this paper we discuss the visualization and interaction paradigms based on overview+detail and focus+context models, proposing a design methodology suitable for rich information environments, made of multivariate data and multi-device deployment. We propose to identify a set of meaningful categories of information visualization and interaction corresponding to different user goals and exploration spaces, starting from a global universe of discourse and going down into the ultimate data items, through discrete intermediate steps corresponding to structured context and overview levels. Each category de nes an association with a speci c knowledge goal, the deployment on a suitable class of devices and the access through adequate interaction techniques. Such design methodology is applied to two case studies, one in the domain of energy consumption management, the other in cultural heritage fruition
A View on the Implementation of the European Open Science Cloud
This paper outlines the discussion and presents the main outcomes of two workshops held in Padova and Venice in August–September 2017 on Open Science and the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) initiative. The paper describes the three layers on which EOSC is grounded: governance, service and data layer, and discusses the new emerging roles for researchers and research support services. Suggestions about the EOSC implementation at local level are given
Characterization of a new type of neuronal 5-HT G-protein coupled receptor in the cestode nervous system
Cestodes are platyhelminth parasites with a wide range of hosts that cause neglected diseases. Neurotransmitter signaling is of critical importance for these parasites which lack circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems. For example, serotonin (5-HT) and serotonergic G-protein coupled receptors (5-HT GPCRs) play major roles in cestode motility, development and reproduction. In previous work, we deorphanized a group of 5-HT7 type GPCRs from cestodes. However, little is known about another type of 5-HT GPCR, the 5-HT1 clade, which has been studied in several invertebrate phyla but not in platyhelminthes. Three putative 5-HT GPCRs from Echinococcus canadensis, Mesocestoides vogae (syn. M. corti) and Hymenolepis microstoma were cloned, sequenced and bioinformatically analyzed. Evidence grouped these new sequences within the 5-HT1 clade of GPCRs but differences in highly conserved GPCR motifs were observed. Transcriptomic analysis, heterologous expression and immunolocalization studies were performed to characterize the E. canadensis receptor, called Eca-5-HT1a. Functional heterologous expression studies showed that Eca-5-HT1a is highly specific for serotonin. 5-Methoxytryptamine and αmethylserotonin, both known 5-HT GPCR agonists, give stimulatory responses whereas methysergide, a known 5-HT GPCR ligand, give an antagonist response in Eca-5-HT1a. Mutants obtained by the substitution of key predicted residues resulted in severe impairment of receptor activity, confirming that indeed, these residues have important roles in receptor function. Immunolocalization studies on the protoscolex stage from E. canadensis, showed that Eca-5-HT1a is localized in branched fibers which correspond to the nervous system of the parasite. The patterns of immunoreactive fibers for Eca-5-HT1a and for serotonin were intimately intertwined but not identical, suggesting that they are two separate groups of fibers. These data provide the first functional, pharmacological and localization report of a serotonergic receptor that putatively belongs to the 5-HT1 type of GPCRs in cestodes. The serotonergic GPCR characterized here may represent a new target for antiparasitic intervention.Fil: Camicia, Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de PatologĂa. Centro de PatologĂa Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Vaca, Hugo Rolando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Oficina de CoordinaciĂłn Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en MicrobiologĂa y ParasitologĂa MĂ©dica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en MicrobiologĂa y ParasitologĂa MĂ©dica; ArgentinaFil: Park, Sang-Kyu. Medical College Of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Bivona, Augusto Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Oficina de CoordinaciĂłn Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en MicrobiologĂa y ParasitologĂa MĂ©dica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en MicrobiologĂa y ParasitologĂa MĂ©dica; ArgentinaFil: Naidich, Ariel. DirecciĂłn Nacional de Institutos de InvestigaciĂłn. AdministraciĂłn Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas; ArgentinaFil: Preza, Matias. Universidad de la RepĂşblica; UruguayFil: Koziol, Uriel. Universidad de la Republica; UruguayFil: Celentano Stanic, Ana Maria Luisa Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Oficina de CoordinaciĂłn Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en MicrobiologĂa y ParasitologĂa MĂ©dica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en MicrobiologĂa y ParasitologĂa MĂ©dica; ArgentinaFil: Marchant, Jonathan S.. Medical College Of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Rosenzvit, Mara Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Oficina de CoordinaciĂłn Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en MicrobiologĂa y ParasitologĂa MĂ©dica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en MicrobiologĂa y ParasitologĂa MĂ©dica; Argentin
Evaluating Metaphor Reification in Tangible Interfaces
International audienceMetaphors are a powerful conceptual device to reason about human actions. As such, they have been heavily used in designing and describing human computer interaction. Since they can address scripted text, verbal expression, imaging, sound, and gestures, they can also be considered in the design and analysis of multimodal interfaces. In this paper we discuss the description and evaluation of the relations between metaphors and their implementation in human computer interaction with a focus on tangible user interfaces (TUIs), a form of multimodal interface. The objective of this paper is to define how metaphors appear in a tangible context in order to support their evaluation. Relying on matching entities and operations between the domain of interaction and the domain of the digital application, we propose a conceptual framework based on three components: a structured representation of the mappings holding between the metaphor source, the metaphor target, the interface and the digital system; a conceptual model for describing metaphorical TUIs; three relevant properties, coherence, coverage and compliance, which define at what extent the implementation of a metaphorical tangible interface matches the metaphor. The conceptual framework is then validated and applied on a tangible prototype in an educational application
Diversity and ethics in trauma and acute care surgery teams: results from an international survey
Background Investigating the context of trauma and acute care surgery, the article aims at understanding the factors that can enhance some ethical aspects, namely the importance of patient consent, the perceptiveness of the ethical role of the trauma leader, and the perceived importance of ethics as an educational subject. Methods The article employs an international questionnaire promoted by the World Society of Emergency Surgery. Results Through the analysis of 402 fully filled questionnaires by surgeons from 72 different countries, the three main ethical topics are investigated through the lens of gender, membership of an academic or non-academic institution, an official trauma team, and a diverse group. In general terms, results highlight greater attention paid by surgeons belonging to academic institutions, official trauma teams, and diverse groups. Conclusions Our results underline that some organizational factors (e.g., the fact that the team belongs to a university context or is more diverse) might lead to the development of a higher sensibility on ethical matters. Embracing cultural diversity forces trauma teams to deal with different mindsets. Organizations should, therefore, consider those elements in defining their organizational procedures. Level of evidence Trauma and acute care teams work under tremendous pressure and complex circumstances, with their members needing to make ethical decisions quickly. The international survey allowed to shed light on how team assembly decisions might represent an opportunity to coordinate team member actions and increase performance
Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy
IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical
attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced
colorectal cancers at diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced
oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all
17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December
31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period),
in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was
30 days from surgery.
EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery,
palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer
at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as
cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding,
lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery,
and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes
was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster
variable.
RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years)
underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142
(56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was
significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR],
1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic
lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients
undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for
these patients
Study of an intrinsically safe infrastructure for training and research on nuclear technologies
Within European Partitioning & Transmutation research programs, infrastructures specifically dedicated to the study of fundamental reactor physics and engineering parameters of future fast-neutron-based reactors are very important, being some of these features not available in present zero-power prototypes. This presentation will illustrate the conceptual design of an Accelerator-Driven System with high safety standards, but ample flexibility for measurements. The design assumes as base option a 70MeV, 0.75mA proton cyclotron, as the one which will be installed at the INFN National Laboratory in Legnaro, Italy and a Beryllium target, with Helium gas as core coolant.
Safety is guaranteed by limiting the thermal power to 200 kW, with a neutron multiplication coefficient around 0.94, loading the core with fuel containing Uranium enriched at 20% inserted in a solid-lead diffuser. The small decay heat can be passively removed by thermal radiation from the vessel. Such a system could be used to study, among others, some specific aspects of neutron diffusion in lead, beam-core coupling, target cooling and could serve as a training facility
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