Rappresentare le Lingue dei Segni con SignWriting: evoluzione di SW sulla base delle esigenze di rappresentazione degli utenti.

ISBN 978-889-85-1408-3Of all the systems for representing Sign Languages (SL), SignWriting (SW) seems the only one suitable to write and transcribe them. This article presents the different evolutions of SW, which follow two parallel and complementary directions. The first direction is "systematic": strict combinatorial rules must be applied to each new element to be represented, which lead to the automatic generation of hundreds of new glyphs; these changes are done by the creators/managers of SW. The other line of evolution is determined by the users who, while using SW, feel the need to satisfy new representation requirements, and therefore “invent” new glyphs (graphically coherent with the system); once accepted by the users community, they will be “multiplied” by the creators/managers of SW. Between 1995 and 2010, these two paths led SW to pass from about 4000 to about 40000 glyphs. Luckily, the cognitive impact of this exorbitant amount of glyphs is offset by the rigorous regularity of the system.De tous les systèmes de représentation des langues des signes (SL), SignWriting (SW) semble le seul apte à les écrire et transcrire. Cet article présente les différentes évolutions de SW, qui suivent deux directions parallèles et complémentaires. Le premier sens est «systématique»: règles combinatoires strictes doivent être appliquées à chaque nouvel élément à être représenté, qui conduisent à la génération automatique de centaines de nouveaux glyphes; ces changements sont effectués par les créateurs/gestionnaires de SW. L'autre ligne d'évolution est déterminé par les utilisateurs eux même qui, tout en utilisant SW, ressentent le besoin de satisfaire aux nouvelles exigences de représentation, et donc de «inventer» de nouveaux glyphes (graphiquement cohérentes avec le système); une fois accepté par la communauté, ils seront «multipliés» par les créateurs/gestionnaires de SW. Entre 1995 et 2010, ces deux chemins ont mené SW à passer d'environ 4000 à environ 40000 glyphes. Heureusement, l'impact cognitif de ce montant exorbitant de glyphes est compensé par la rigoureuse régularité du système.Di tutti i sistemi di rappresentazione delle Lingue dei Segni (LS), SignWriting (SW) sembra essere l'unico in grado di scriverle e trascriverle. In questo articolo vengono presentate le diverse evoluzioni di SW, che seguono due direzioni parallele e complementari. Una direzione evolutiva di SW è "sistematica": ad ogni nuovo elemento che si vuole rappresentare, è necessario applicare regole combinatorie rigide, che portano alla generazione automatica di centinaia di nuovi glifi. Tali modifiche vengono fatte dagli stessi creatori/gestori di SW. L'altra linea dell'evoluzione, invece, è determinata dagli utenti che, usando SW, hanno necessità di soddisfare nuove esigenze di rappresentazione, “inventando” così nuovi glifi (graficamente coerenti col sistema) che poi, se accettati dalla comunità degli utenti, verranno "moltiplicati" dai creatori/gestori di SW. Queste due vie hanno portato, tra il 1995 ed il 2010, a far passare SW da circa 4000 a circa 40000 glifi. Fortunatamente, l'impatto cognitivo di questa esorbitante quantità di glifi è compensato dalla rigorosa regolarità del sistema

Risorse per la produzione di forme scritte di Lingua dei Segni tramite un software centrato sull'utilizzatore (SWift)

ISI CITATION INDEX - WOS 00032392773138 - IDS BGR95International audienceThe SignWriting improved fast transcriber (SWift), presented in this paper, is an advanced editor for computer-aided writing and transcribing of any Sign Language (SL) using SignWriting (SW). The application is an editor which allows composing and saving desired signs using the SW elementary components, called “glyphs”. These make up a sort of alphabet, which does not depend on the national Sign Language and which codes the basic components of any sign. The user is guided through a fully-automated procedure, making the composition process fast and intuitive. SWift pursues the goal of helping to break down the "electronic barriers" that keep deaf people away from the web, and at the same time to support linguistic research about Sign Languages features. For this reason it has been designed with a special attention to deaf user needs, and to general usability issues. The editor has been developed in a modular way, so it can be integrated everywhere the use of SW as an alternative to written “verbal” language may be advisable.Le SignWriting improved fast transcriber (SWift), présenté dans cet article, est un éditeur avancé pour l'écriture et la transcription assistées par ordinateur de toute Langue des Signes (SL) en utilisant SignWriting (SW). L'application est un éditeur qui permet de composer et de sauvegarder les signes souhaités en utilisant les unités constitutives de SW, appelés "glyphes". Ils constituent une sorte d'alphabet, qui ne dépend pas de la Langue des Signes nationale et qui codifie les éléments de base de tout Signe. L'utilisateur est guidé par un procédé entièrement automatisé, ce qui rend le processus de composition rapide et intuitif. SWift poursuit l'objectif d'aider à briser les "barrières électroniques" qui empêchent les personnes sourdes d’accéder à la Toile, et en même temps de soutenir la recherche linguistique sur les caractéristiques des Langues des Signes. Pour cette raison, il a été conçu avec une attention particulière aux besoins des utilisateurs sourds, et à des questions générales de convivialité. L'éditeur a été développé de façon modulaire, de sorte qu'il peut être intégré partout où l'utilisation de SW comme alternative à la langue écrite "verbale" peut être souhaitable.Il "SignWriting improved fast transcriber" (SWift), presentato in questo articolo, è un avanzato editor di scrittura e trascrizione "computer-aided" mediante SignWriting (SW) per qualsiasi Lingua dei Segni (SL). L'applicazione è un editor che permette di comporre e salvare i segni desiderati utilizzando le componenti elementari di SW, chiamate "glifi". Queste costituiscono una sorta di alfabeto, che non dipende dalla Lingua dei Segni nazionale, che codifica gli elementi di base di qualsiasi segno. L'utente è guidato attraverso una procedura completamente automatica, rendendo così il processo di composizione veloce ed intuitivo. SWift persegue l'obiettivo di aiutare ad abbattere le "barriere elettroniche" che tengono le persone sorde lontane dal web, e allo stesso tempo di sostenere la ricerca linguistica sulle caratteristiche delle Lingue dei Segni. Per questo motivo è stato progettato con una particolare attenzione alle esigenze degli utenti sordi, ma anche in una ottica di usabilità generale. L'editor è stato sviluppato in modo modulare, quindi può essere integrato ovunque sia consigliabile l'uso di SW in alternativa alla lingua scritta "verbale"

Unità Lessematiche e Strutture di Grande Iconicità nella Lingua dei Segni Italiana (LIS): nuovi dati e nuove metodologie di analisi.

NON REPRINTInternational audienceIn this paper we deal with a still unresolved question in the study of LIS: what are the constituent units of the lexicon, and how much are comparable to those typical of spoken languages. The question is linked to the existence, in the signed discourse, of two main types of referring expressions: Lexematic Units (ULs) and Structures of Great Iconicity (SGIs). Making use of 5 different texts transcribed with SignWriting (SW), we explored the nature, the stability and/or the variability of sign shapes and of correspondences of meaning. We sampled the texts for different ways to express 10 entities/actions, and subsequently we asked their authors whether or not there is a "citational form", with an own autonomy for those same entities. The results show recurrent patterns in the selected expressive forms, and these include both ULs (less frequent) and SGIs (more present). Contrary to the assumption of most previous research, there are strong regularities in the elements that make up the SGI and the actual compositional choice. This fact highlights the need to include the SGI among the constituent units of LIS, suggesting to review the modeling of the lexicon of LIS (and of LS in general), identifying the most appropriate constructs that take into account the specific iconic and multilinear features of LS.Dans cet article, nous affrontons une question non encore résolue dans l'étude de la LIS: quels sont les éléments constitutifs du lexique, et dans quelle mesure sont-ils comparables à ceux des langues parlées. La question est liée à l'existence, dans un discours signé, de deux principaux types d'expressions référentielles: les Unités lexématiques (UL) et les Structures de grande iconicité (SGI). En utilisant 5 textes codifiés avec SignWriting (SW), nous avons exploré la typologie, la stabilité et/ou la variabilité des formes de Signes et des correspondances forme/signification. Nous avons recherché dans les textes les différentes façons d'exprimer 10 entités/actions, puis ensuite demander aux auteurs s’il existe une forme "citationnelle", dotée d’une autonomie de sens pour ces mêmes entités. Les résultats font apparaître des schémas récurrents dans les formes expressives identifiées et celles-ci comprennent à la fois des UL (moins fréquentes) et des SGI (plus présentes). Contrairement aux hypothèses d’une grande partie des travaux de recherche, on constate de fortes régularités dans les éléments qui composent les SGI et dans les choix de composition. Cela souligne la nécessité d'inclure la SGI parmi les unités constituantes de la LIS, et suggère qu’il faut revoir en profondeur les modélisations du lexique de la LIS (et des LS en général), en repérant les constructions mieux adaptées afin de tenir compte des caractéristiques iconiques spécifiques des LS.In questo contributo affrontiamo una questione tuttora irrisolta nello studio della LIS: quali siano le unità costitutive del lessico, e quanto siano paragonabili a quelle proprie delle lingue vocali. La questione è legata all'esistenza, nel discorso segnato, di due tipi principali di espressioni referenziali: le Unità Lessematiche (UL) e le Strutture di Grande Iconicità (SGI). Avvalendoci di 5 diversi testi codificati con SignWriting (SW), abbiamo esplorato la tipologia, la stabilità e/o la variabilità di forme segniche e corrispondenze forma-significato. Abbiamo ricercato nei testi i diversi modi di esprimere 10 entità/azioni per poi chiedere agli autori se esista o no una forma "citazionale", dotata di autonomia di senso per quelle stesse entità. I risultati evidenziano pattern ricorrenti nelle forme espressive individuate e queste comprendono sia UL (meno frequenti) che SGI (più presenti). Contrariamente a quanto ritenuto in gran parte delle ricerche, si osservano forti regolarità negli elementi che compongono le SGI e nelle scelte di composizione. Ciò evidenzia la necessità di includere le SGI fra le unità costitutive della LIS, suggerendo di rivedere in profondità le modellizazioni del lessico della LIS (e delle LS in genere), individuando costrutti più appropriati che tengano conto dei tratti iconici e multilineari specifici delle LS

Dalla modalità faccia-a-faccia ad una lingua scritta emergente: nuove prospettive su trascrizione e scrittura della Lingua dei Segni italiana (LIS).

International audienceThis paper presents preliminary findings from research using SignWriting (SW) for representing Italian Sign Language (LIS) in written form. Our analyses are based on three LIS narrative texts elicited from three signers via the presentation of Chafe’s (1980) “Pear Story” film including: - a transcription from a video-recorded, face-to-face signed production; - two texts conceived and expressed directly in written LIS. We describe and discuss similarities and differences in the symbolization processes linked to the communication modalities. We show how SW-encoded representations highlight the differences existing between face-to-face interaction and written expression, as well as between “transcription” and “original” writings. These written representations also provide a powerful methodological tool for improving the analysis of LIS and enhancing metalinguistic reflections on LIS texts in ways until now impossible with other notation systems.Cet article présente les résultats préliminaires d'une recherche qui utilise SignWriting (SW) pour la représentation écrite de la Langue des Signes italienne (LIS). Les analyses sont fondées sur trois textes narratifs en LIS inspirés chez trois signeurs après avoir assisté à la vision du film "Pear Story" (Chafe, 1980), avec: la transcription d'une production singée en face-à-face et vidéo-enregistrée, deux textes directement conçus et exprimés en LIS écrite. Les auteurs décrivent et analysent les similitudes et les différences dans les processus de symbolisation liés à la modalité de communication. Il est ensuite montré que les représentations codifiées par SW mettent en évidence les différences qui existent entre l’interaction face-à-face et l’expression écrite, ainsi qu'entre "transcriptions" et écrits "originaux". Ces représentations écrites constituent un outil méthodologique puissant pour améliorer l'analyse de la LIS et valoriser les réflexions métalinguistiques sur des textes de LIS, selon des modalités jusqu’à présent impossibles avec d’'autres systèmes de notation.Questo documento presenta i risultati preliminari di una ricerca che usa SignWriting (SW) per la rappresentazione in forma scritta della Lingua dei Segni Italiana (LIS). Le analisi si basano su tre testi narrativi in LIS ispirati in tre segnanti via la visione del film "Pear Story" (Chafe, 1980), tra cui: una trascrizione di una produzione segnata faccia-a-faccia e videoregistrata; due testi direttamente concepiti ed espressi in LIS-scritta. Gli Autori descrivono e discutono le somiglianze e le differenze nei processi di simbolizzazione legati alla modalità di comunicazione. Viene poi mostrato come le rappresentazioni codificate tramite SW evidenzino le differenze esistenti tra interazione faccia-a-faccia e l'espressione scritta, nonché tra "trascrizione" e scritti "originali". Queste rappresentazioni scritte forniscono anche un potente strumento metodologico per migliorare l'analisi della LIS e per valorizzare le riflessioni metalinguistiche su testi LIS, in modi finora impossibili con altri sistemi di annotazione

Surgical site infection after caesarean section. Space for post-discharge surveillance improvements and reliable comparisons

Surgical site infections (SSI) after caesarean section (CS) represent a substantial health system concern. Surveying SSI has been associated with a reduction in SSI incidence. We report the findings of three (2008, 2011 and 2013) regional active SSI surveillances after CS in community hospital of the Latium region determining the incidence of SSI. Each CS was surveyed for SSI occurrence by trained staff up to 30 post-operative days, and association of SSI with relevant characteristics was assessed using binomial logistic regression. A total of 3,685 CS were included in the study. A complete 30 day post-operation follow-up was achieved in over 94% of procedures. Overall 145 SSI were observed (3.9% cumulative incidence) of which 131 (90.3%) were superficial and 14 (9.7%) complex (deep or organ/space) SSI; overall 129 SSI (of which 89.9% superficial) were diagnosed post-discharge. Only higher NNIS score was significantly associated with SSI occurrence in the regression analysis. Our work provides the first regional data on CS-associated SSI incidence, highlighting the need for a post-discharge surveillance which should assure 30 days post-operation to not miss data on complex SSI, as well as being less labour intensive

Clinical Utility of Circulating Tumour Cell Androgen Receptor Splice Variant-7 Status in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

Abstract Background Detection of androgen receptor splice variant-7 (AR-V7) mRNA in circulating tumour cells (CTCs) is associated with worse outcome in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, studies rarely report comparisons with CTC counts and biopsy AR-V7 protein expression. Objective To determine the reproducibility of AdnaTest CTC AR-V7 testing, and associations with clinical characteristics, CellSearch CTC counts, tumour biopsy AR-V7 protein expression and overall survival (OS). Design, setting, and participants CTC AR-V7 status was determined for 227 peripheral blood samples, from 181 mCRPC patients with CTC counts (202 samples; 136 patients) and matched mCRPC biopsies (65 samples; 58 patients). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis CTC AR-V7 status was associated with clinical characteristics, CTC counts, and tissue biopsy AR-V7 protein expression. The association of CTC AR-V7 status and other baseline variables with OS was determined. Results and limitations Of the samples, 35% were CTC+/AR-V7+. CTC+/AR-V7+ samples had higher CellSearch CTC counts (median CTC; interquartile range [IQR]: 60, 19–184 vs 9, 2–64; Mann-Whitney test p Conclusions Studies reporting the prognostic relevance of CTC AR-V7 status must account for CTC counts. Discordant CTC AR-V7 results and AR-V7 protein expression in matched, same-patient biopsies are reported. Patient summary Liquid biopsies that determine circulating tumour cell androgen receptor splice variant-7 status have the potential to impact treatment decisions in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Robust clinical qualification of these assays is required before their routine use

Alignment of the CMS tracker with LHC and cosmic ray data

© CERN 2014 for the benefit of the CMS collaboration, published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License by IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab srl. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation and DOI.The central component of the CMS detector is the largest silicon tracker ever built. The precise alignment of this complex device is a formidable challenge, and only achievable with a significant extension of the technologies routinely used for tracking detectors in the past. This article describes the full-scale alignment procedure as it is used during LHC operations. Among the specific features of the method are the simultaneous determination of up to 200 000 alignment parameters with tracks, the measurement of individual sensor curvature parameters, the control of systematic misalignment effects, and the implementation of the whole procedure in a multi-processor environment for high execution speed. Overall, the achieved statistical accuracy on the module alignment is found to be significantly better than 10μm