L’"informazione come scandalo”. Dall’iperrealtà dell’industria dell’informazione alle fake news del sistema mediale ibrido

L’articolo si propone di utilizzare il concetto di iperrealtà – “questo scatenarsi delle cose come se avessero un senso” – coniato da Jean Baudrillard sia per analizzare gli innumerevoli casi di falsi e bufale diffuse nel corso della storia del giornalismo moderno che l’odierna indignazione per l’irruzione delle fake news. Se, nel passato, le scelte, il linguaggio e le procedure dell’industria delle notizie potevano far comprendere le difficoltà di una professione sempre più sommersa dalle informazioni, nel nuovo sistema mediale ibrido queste stesse dimensioni sono riviste attraverso le chiavi di lettura formulate dallo studioso francese. Un “sondaggio permanente” in cui sistemi e pubblici condividono segni-notizia codificati da software o algoritmi e che sembrano riprodurre le stesse ironie, gli stessi incidenti e, soprattutto quella stessa disillusione. Dopo lo scandalo dell’informazione, c’è l’informazione come catastrofe.The article aims to use Jean Baudrillard’s concept of hyperreality–“this unleashing of things as if they had a sense”– to analyze the countless cases of fakes and hoaxes spread throughout the history of modern journalism as well as today indignation for the breaking of fake news. If, in the past, the news industry’s choices, language, and procedures could make it difficult to understand a profession that is increasingly overwhelmed by information, in the new hybrid media system, these same dimensions are revised through Baudrillard’s conception. A “Permanent Survey” in which systems and audiences share news-signs coded by software or algorithms and seem to reproduce the same irony, the same incidents and, above all, that same disillusion. After the scandal of information, there is information as a catastroph

Reti immaginate. Media, ideologia e metafore organizzative delle azioni connettive

Rete Nazionale Ricercatori Precari, Rete GAS, Rete Genitori Rainbow, Rete degli studenti medi, Rete del Caffè Sospeso, Rete della Conoscenza, Rete di Lilliput, Rete Lenford, Rete di Economia Solidale; Reti: molte organizzazioni della società civile e dei movimenti sociali adottano questo termine per definirsi. Così spesso che questa metafora appare non solo il frame per definire l’azione collettiva ma anche una sua nuova, e oramai consolidata, ideologia. Dove nasce questa pratica identitaria, questa modo di concepire e incorniciare movimenti e organizzazioni? L’articolo intende analizzare le recenti mobilitazioni collettive per proporre alcune risposte a queste ipotesi. Quale legame c’è tra la forza dell’immagine della rete come illustrazione e prefigurazione di movimenti decentrati, orizzontali, frammentati e le forme ideologiche proprie di una società costruita proprio intorno a questa metafora? Quale connessione esiste tra le tecnologie di comunicazione utilizzate per costruire le forme organizzative dei movimenti contemporanei e la forma assunta da questa azione collettiva

Spazi mediali delle migrazioni. Framing e rappresentazioni del confine nell’informazione italiana

I media giocano un ruolo centrale nel processo di costruzione simbolica e sociale della realtà; l’informazione definisce i contorni degli spazi definendo le identità, chi è dentro, le appartenenze, chi è l’altro, nonché le dimensioni esplicative e le attribuzioni di responsabilità che preludono alla formazione delle politiche pubbliche, cosa succede e cosa bisognerebbe fare. Nella ormai pluridecennale esperienza dell’Italia e degli altri paesi avanzati questo ruolo è particolarmente evidente nella rappresentazione dei fenomeni migratori. Le ricerche che negli anni hanno indagato la capacità o (più spesso) l’incapacità del giornalismo di leggere la complessità del fenomeno, restituiscono un panorama disegnato da alcuni frame consolidati, un repertorio di immagini ricorrenti, rappresentazioni iconiche dello straniero, del “male”, del “nemico” e del “diverso”. A fronte della variabilità di situazioni, eventi, cornici politico-istituzionali, questo paesaggio mantiene coerenza nella costruzione di uno spazio del discorso che da un lato rigenera appartenenze nazionali e comunitarie e, dall’altro, legittima politiche di esclusione. A partire da una prospettiva sociologica sulla comunicazione e dai media studies e di analisi del discorso il contributo esplora i contorni di questo orizzonte culturale attraverso dati e case histories provenienti dai percorsi empirici e dalla letteratura internazionale sul tema. Ne risultano tre frame prevalenti − “della sicurezza”, “di crisi”, “pietistico” − nei quali apparati iconici, linguistici e metaforici definiscono le chiavi interpretative più comuni nella rappresentazione giornalistica del fenomeno migratorio

Il DDL Moratti, i ricercatori precari e l’idea di Università

Questo intervento intende, terminato il percorso di approvazione della riforma dell’Università della Ministro Moratti, concentrarsi sulle sue cause, ovvero identificare il modello di sistema universitario che si immagina e le conseguenze che può produrre. Riprendendo posizioni e discussioni del movimento dei Ricercatori Precari, le novità del ddl Moratti e i dibattiti parlamentari, l’articolo evidenzia la presenza di un preciso punto di vista ideologico. Un senso comune fondato naturalmente sia su precise condizioni strutturali che su ricorrenti formulazioni e argomentazioni. L’intervento illustra le conseguenze sulla qualità della vita e del lavoro dei ricercatori precari, ma si concentra anche sulla differenza tra il metodo di lavoro e ricerca scientifica proposto da questo modello e i tempi e le esigenze di cooperazione, riflessività e relazionalità necessari al lavoro intellettuale e al nascere di ogni “intelligenza collettiva”. __________ Reached the end of the process of approval of the reform of the Italian University by Minister Moratti, this article intends to identify the model of university system that the Berlusconi government imagines, as well as the consequences that it may produce. By referring to the precarious researcher movement’s positions and debates, the new legislation and the Parliament discussion, it highlights the presence of a common ideological point of view, a common sense naturally originated both by structural conditions and by classical formulae and arguments. The contribution illustrates the consequences on the precarious scholars’ quality of life and work; it also focuses on the difference between the way of work and scientific research proposed by this model comparing it to the time, budget and the needs of cooperation, reflexivity and networking of intellectual production indispensable to the creation of any “collective intelligence”.This paper intends to finish the path of approval of the Minister Moratti reform of the university, focusing on its causes, which is to identify the model of the university system that is imagined and the consequences it can produce. Taking up positions and discussions of the movement of Precarious Researchers, news of the bill Moratti and parliamentary debates, the article highlights the presence of a particular ideological point of view. A common sense of course is founded on precise conditions of recurring structural formulations and arguments. The project illustrates the impact on quality of life and work of the precarious researchers, but also focuses on the difference between the working method and scientific research proposed by this model and the times and the need for cooperation, reflexivity and relationality necessary intellectual work and the birth of any "collective intelligence". __________Reached the end of the process of approval of the reform of the Italian University by Minister Moratti, this article intends to identify the model of university system That the Berlusconi government imagines, as well as the important consequences That it may produce. By Referring to the precarious researcher movement's positions and debates, the new legislation and the Parliament discussion, it highlights the presence of a common ideological point of view, a common sense naturally Both originated by structural conditions and by classical formulas and arguments.The contribution Illustrates the important consequences on the precarious scholars' quality of life and wor

A straightforward multiparametric quality control protocol for proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy: Validation and comparison of various 1.5 T and 3 T clinical scanner systems

Purpose: The aim of this study was to propose and validate across various clinical scanner systems a straightforward multiparametric quality assurance procedure for proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Methods: Eighteen clinical 1.5 T and 3 T scanner systems for MRS, from 16 centres and 3 different manufacturers, were enrolled in the study. A standard spherical water phantom was employed by all centres. The acquisition protocol included 3 sets of single (isotropic) voxel (size 20 mm) PRESS acquisitions with unsuppressed water signal and acquisition voxel position at isocenter as well as off-center, repeated 4/5 times within approximately 2 months. Water peak linewidth (LW) and area under the water peak (AP) were estimated. Results: LW values [mean (standard deviation)] were 1.4 (1.0) Hz and 0.8 (0.3) Hz for 3 T and 1.5 T scanners, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) (across all scanners) coefficient of variation of LW and AP for different spatial positions of acquisition voxel were 43% (20%) and 11% (11%), respectively. The mean (standard deviation) phantom T2 values were 1145 (50) ms and 1010 (95) ms for 1.5 T and 3 T scanners, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) (across all scanners) coefficients of variation for repeated measurements of LW, AP and T2 were 25% (20%), 10% (14%) and 5% (2%), respectively. Conclusions: We proposed a straightforward multiparametric and not time consuming quality control protocol for MRS, which can be included in routine and periodic quality assurance procedures. The protocol has been validated and proven to be feasible in a multicentre comparison study of a fairly large number of clinical 1.5 T and 3 T scanner systems

Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia receiving first-line therapy with nilotinib

BACKGROUND: Although a wealth of efficacy and safety data is available for many tyrosine kinase inhibitors used in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), there is a dearth of information on their impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate HRQOL and fatigue outcomes in patients with CML receiving first-line therapy with nilotinib. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective study enrolling 130 patients with chronic-phase CML. HRQOL and fatigue were evaluated with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its validated Fatigue module at the baseline and then at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The primary prespecified HRQOL endpoints defined in the study protocol for longitudinal analysis were the Physical Functioning, Social Functioning, Role Functioning, and Fatigue scales. The remaining scales were investigated on an exploratory basis. RESULTS: The rate of baseline compliance with the HRQOL assessment was 95.4% (124 of 130), and the rate of overall compliance with HRQOL forms was 91%. Among the 4 prespecified primary HRQOL endpoints, statistically significant improvements over time were found for Physical Functioning (P =.013), Role Functioning (P =.004), and Fatigue (P <.001). Clinically meaningful improvements were found already 3 months after the treatment start. The baseline patient self-reported fatigue severity was an independent predictive factor for the achievement of a major molecular response with an odds ratio of 0.960 (95% confidence interval, 0.934-0.988; P =.005). CONCLUSIONS: For most patients, HRQOL improvements with nilotinib occur during the early phase of therapy and are maintained over time. Also, a more systematic HRQOL evaluation during the diagnostic workup of CML may help to predict clinical outcomes. Cancer 2018;124:2228-37. © 2018 American Cancer Society

The serological prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia is similar to that in the general population

Patients with hematological malignancies are at an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) and adverse outcome. However, a low mortality rate has been reported in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Preclinical evidence suggests that tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) may have a protective role against severe COVID-19

Adherence and future discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia. A patient-based survey on 1133 patients

Therapeutic approach for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients has undergone a revolutionary change with the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which improved overall survival and quality of life. Optimal therapy adherence has become of paramount importance to maximize the benefits in the long-term outcome. Several evidences have been reported that personal factors, such as social support, psychological and subjective perceptions about the drug used and the future, could influence adherence. We here report the results of a questionnaire specifically designed to evaluate factors influencing adherence and perceptions about the future, distributed to patients during regional Italian meetings. Overall, 1133 patients compiled the questionnaire: median age was 57 years. High rate of adherence was reported, but 42% of interviewed patients admitted that they had occasionally postponed a dose and 58% had discontinued therapy mainly for forgetfulness. The majority of patients discussed with personal physician about the importance of adherence and received sufficient information about illness and treatment, but would like to have discussed more about discomfort, anxiety and fear of the future. Summarizing personal drug compliance and estimating how many days a month, on average, the patients did not take the drug, the majority answered that it was less than 3 days (55%) and only a minority (4%) admitted that it was more than 7 days. Interviewed about discontinuation, 49% of patients answered that wouldn't interrupt because of fear of losing all the results achieved so far. This study suggests a higher level of satisfaction with more information received but the need of improving communication about possible future treatment free remission

Managing chronic myeloid leukemia for treatment-free remission: a proposal from the GIMEMA CML WP

Several papers authored by international experts have proposed recommendations on the management of BCR-ABL1+ chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Following these recommendations, survival of CML patients has become very close to normal. The next, ambitious, step is to bring as many patients as possible into a condition of treatment-free remission (TFR). The Gruppo Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell'Adulto (GIMEMA; Italian Group for Hematologic Diseases of the Adult) CML Working Party (WP) has developed a project aimed at selecting the treatment policies that may increase the probability of TFR, taking into account 4 variables: the need for TFR, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the characteristics of leukemia, and the patient. A Delphi-like method was used to reach a consensus among the representatives of 50 centers of the CML WP. A consensus was reached on the assessment of disease risk (EUTOS Long Term Survival [ELTS] score), on the definition of the most appropriate age boundaries for the choice of first-line treatment, on the choice of the TKI for first-line treatment, and on the definition of the responses that do not require a change of the TKI (BCR-ABL1 6410% at 3 months, 641% at 6 months, 640.1% at 12 months, 640.01% at 24 months), and of the responses that require a change of the TKI, when the goal is TFR (BCR-ABL1 &gt;10% at 3 and 6 months, &gt;1% at 12 months, and &gt;0.1% at 24 months). These suggestions may help optimize the treatment strategy for TFR