4,968 research outputs found
ICT for all: Where do we stand?
Although its importance is undeniable, designing in a more inclusive way is not yet fully adopted in the field of design and planning, whose reference continues to be the standard man. An approach which not only excludes people with disabilities, but also other categories that diverge from the physical and cognitive characteristics of the standard human model, such as women, the elderly, and children. This problem affects different contexts and can be observed especially in the area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), which are often designed without taking into account the peculiarities that distinguish these categories of users. Referring to the categories affected by the digital divide, the article reflects on the need to promote specific methodologies, such as Universal Design and User-centered Design, so that attitudinal and psychological issues related to different categories of users are considered
ICT for All: Where Do We Stand?
Although its importance is undeniable, designing in a more inclusive way
is not yet fully adopted in the field of design and planning, whose reference
continues to be the standard man. An approach which not only excludes people with
disabilities, but also other categories that diverge from the physical and cognitive
characteristics of the standard human model, such as women, the elderly, and
children. This problem affects different contexts and can be observed especially in
the area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), which are often
designed without taking into account the peculiarities that distinguish these
categories of users. Referring to the categories affected by the digital divide, the
article reflects on the need to promote specific methodologies, such as Universal
Design and User-centered Design, so that attitudinal and psychological issues
related to different categories of users are considered
âPlans for the Removal of Architectural Barriers (PEBAs) from a UD Perspective. An Interdisciplinary Process in the Italian Region Friuli Venezia Giuliaâ
It is more than thirty years since the Italian Law introduced the Plans for the Removal of Architectural Barriers (PEBAs). However, their implementation by municipalities is still limited, and accessibility is often understood as the result of the elimination of single physical obstacles, rather than the development of interconnected systems of urban spaces and collective equipment that are usable and inclusive according to Universal Design (UD) criteria. Since 2018, the Italian Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region has started a collaboration with the Universities of Trieste and Udine, in order to bring UD at the core of the implementation of the Regional Law no. 10/2018. This Law introduced significant innovations: the disposal of regional funds to support local administrations when drafting PEBAs; the delivery of a software application to facilitate the drawing of these plans; the establishment of a reference center in charge of training, information and consultancy activities on accessibility at a regional level (CRIBA); the delivery of a regional observatory for mapping and continuous monitoring of accessibility conditions and the implementation of PEBAs. The paper presents: i) an overview of the interdisciplinary work carried out by the Universities with the Region and CRIBA; ii) a focus on Universitiesâ research activities and the current state of the collaboration process; iii) reflections on further research and its operational outcomes
Volatile signals during pregnancy: A possible chemical basis for mother-infant recognition
Human pheromones play a role in regulating relationships and apparently influence partner choice and motherâinfant recognition. We analyzed the chemical content of volatiles from sweat patch samples from the para-axillary and nippleâareola regions of women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Solid phase microextraction was used to extract the volatile compounds, which were then characterized and quantified by gas chromatographyâmass spectrometry. During pregnancy, women developed a distinctive pattern of five volatile compounds common to the para-axillary and nippleâareola regions (1-dodecanol, 1-1âČ-oxybis octane, isocurcumenol, α-hexyl-cinnamic aldehyde, and isopropyl myristate). These compounds were absent outside pregnancy and had slightly different patterns in samples from the two body areas. Differentiation of the volatile patterns among pregnant women may help newborns to distinguish their own mothers
EMBRYOTOXICITY OF DICLOFENAC ON DANIO RERIO: MORTALITY, MORPHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS AND TRANSCRIPTOME-WIDE SCALE TOXICITY ASSESSMENT
Rv0579 Is Involved in the Resistance to the TP053 Antitubercular Prodrug
Tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of death from a single pathogen globally.
It is estimated that 1/4 of the worldâs population harbors latent tuberculosis, but only a
5â10% of patients will develop active disease. During latent infection, Mycobacterium
tuberculosis can persist unaffected by drugs for years in a non-replicating state with
low metabolic activity. The rate of the successful tuberculosis treatment is curbed by
the presence of these non-replicating bacilli that can resuscitate after decades and also
by the spread of M. tuberculosis drug-resistant strains. International agencies, including
the World Health Organization, urge the international community to combat this global
health emergency. The thienopyrimidine TP053 is a promising new antitubercular lead
compound highly active against both replicating and non-replicating M. tuberculosis
cells, with an in vitro MIC of 0.125 mg/ml. TP053 is a prodrug activated by the reduced
form of the mycothiol-dependent reductase Mrx2, encoded by Rv2466c gene. After
its activation, TP053 releases nitric oxide and a highly reactive metabolite, explaining its
activity also against M. tuberculosis non-replicating cells. In this work, a new mechanism
of TP053 resistance was discovered. M. tuberculosis spontaneous mutants resistant to
TP053 were isolated harboring the mutation L240V in Rv0579, a protein with unknown
function, but without mutation in Rv2466c gene. Recombineering method demonstrated
that this mutation is linked to TP053 resistance. To better characterize Rv0579, the
protein was recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli and a direct interaction between
the Mrx2 activated TP053 and Rv0579 was shown by an innovative target-fishing
experiment based on click chemistry. Thanks to achieved results, a possible contribution
of Rv0579 in M. tuberculosis RNA metabolism was hypothesized, linked to toxin antitoxin
system. Overall, these data confirm the role of Rv0579 in TP053 resistance and
consequently in the metabolism of this prodrug
Self-Regulation in a Web-Based Course: A Case Study
Little is known about how successful students in Web-based courses self-regulate their learning. This descriptive case study used a social cognitive model of self-regulated learning (SRL) to investigate how six graduate students used and adapted traditional SRL strategies to complete tasks and cope with challenges in a Web-based technology course; it also explored motivational and environmental influences on strategy use. Primary data sources were three transcribed interviews with each of the students over the course of the semester, a transcribed interview with the course instructor, and the studentsâ reflective journals. Archived course documents, including transcripts of threaded discussions and student Web pages, were secondary data sources. Content analysis of the data indicated that these students used many traditional SRL strategies, but they also adapted planning, organization, environmental structuring, help seeking, monitoring, record keeping, and self-reflection strategies in ways that were unique to the Web-based learning environment. The data also suggested that important motivational influences on SRL strategy useâself-efficacy, goal orientation, interest, and attributionsâwere shaped largely by student successes in managing the technical and social environment of the course. Important environmental influences on SRL strategy use included instructor support, peer support, and course design. Implications for online course instructors and designers, and suggestions for future research are offered
Enhanced soluble CD40 ligand contributes to endothelial cell dysfunction in vitro and monocyte activation in patients with diabetes mellitus: effect of improved metabolic control
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A1C Variability as an Independent Risk Factor for Microalbuminuria in Young People With Type 1 Diabetes
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