Web navigation for individuals with dyslexia: An exploratory study

In this paper, we present an exploratory study of the web navigation experiences of dyslexic users. Findings indicate that dyslexics exhibit distinctive web navigation behaviour and preferences. We believe that the outcomes of this study add to our understanding of the particular needs of this web user population and have implications for the design of effective navigation structures

Supporting Interaction and Co-evolution of Users and Systems

Interactive systems supporting people activities, even those designed for a specific application domain, should be very flexible, i.e., they should be easily adaptable to specific needs of the user communities. They should even allow users to personalize the system to better fit with their evolving needs. This paper presents an original model of the interaction and coevolution processes occurring between humans and interactive systems and discusses an approach to design systems that supports such processes. The approach is based on the “artisan’s workshop” metaphor and foresees the participatory design of an interactive system as a network of workshops customized to different user communities and connected one another by communication paths. Such paths allow end users and members of the design team to trigger and actuate the co-evolution. The feasibility of the methodology is illustrated through a case study in the medical domain

Lidstone–Euler Second-Type Boundary Value Problems: Theoretical and Computational Tools

AbstractGeneral nonlinear high odd-order differential equations with Lidstone–Euler boundary conditions of second type are treated both theoretically and computationally. First, the associated interpolation problem is considered. Then, a theorem of existence and uniqueness of the solution to the Lidstone–Euler second-type boundary value problem is given. Finally, for a numerical solution, two different approaches are illustrated and some numerical examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed algorithms

Effect of counterion on the catalytic activity of NHC-gold(I) in A3 coupling reactions

Synthetic A3-coupling represents an efficient and environmentally convenient procedure for the production of propargylamines, relevant intermediates for the preparation of pharmacologically active substances. Gold(I) complexes of general formula NHC-Au-X have been synthesized, characterized, and tested in the A3-coupling reaction of benzaldehyde, piperidine and phenylacetylene on varying the anionic fragment X as halogenide (Cl, Br, I), acetate (OAc), hexafluorophosphate (PF6) or phenylacetylide (-C≡CPh), with 5-dichloro[N-methyl, N’(2-hydroxy-2-phenyl)ethyl imidazole-2-ylidene as NHC ligand. The kinetic profiles were interpreted with DFT (Density Functional Theory) studies on bond dissociation energies (BDE) of the counterion as well as on the relative stability of the neutral NHC-Au-X complexes with respect to their ionic forms [Au(NHC)2]+[AuX2]-

Lidstone–Euler interpolation and related high even order boundary value problem

AbstractWe consider the Lidstone–Euler interpolation problem and the associated Lidstone–Euler boundary value problem, in both theoretical and computational aspects. After a theorem of existence and uniqueness of the solution to the Lidstone–Euler boundary value problem, we present a numerical method for solving it. This method uses the extrapolated Bernstein polynomials and produces an approximating convergent polynomial sequence. Particularly, we consider the fourth-order case, arising in various physical models. Finally, we present some numerical examples and we compare the proposed method with a modified decomposition method for a tenth-order problem. The numerical results confirm the theoretical and computational ones

Odd and Even Lidstone-type polynomial sequences. Part 1: basic topics

Abstract Two new general classes of polynomial sequences called respectively odd and even Lidstone-type polynomials are considered. These classes include classic Lidstone polynomials of first and second kind. Some characterizations of the two classes are given, including matrix form, conjugate sequences, generating function, recurrence relations, and determinant forms. Some examples are presented and some applications are sketched

A systematic review of problematic video-game use in people with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Background: In recent years, an increasing number of studies documented potential links between gaming disorders (GD; including “digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to summarize current research about problematic video game (PVG) use in people with ASD and identify specific factors associated with problematic video gaming behavior. Method: We searched for articles indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost electronic databases; using a combination of expressions including “autism spectrum disorder” OR “autism” OR “ASD” AND “video games” OR “gaming disorder” OR “Internet Gaming Disorder” OR “game addiction”. Results: Twelve articles were included in this systematic review. The majority of them indicate that children, adolescents and adults with ASD may be at greater risk of PVG use than youths without ASD. Findings also suggested that several internal (sex, attention and oppositional behavior problems) and external factors (social aspects, access and time spent playing video, parental rules, and game genre) were significant predictors of problematic video game use in people with ASD. In addition, this review highlights the paucity of the literature on the consequences and individual effects of excessive video gaming in people with ASD. Conclusions: We discuss unanswered questions and future directions and provide recommendations for improving clinicians and parents’ engagement in the prevention and management of problematic video game use in people with ASD

Per presentare una disciplina curiosa e uno studio stimolante, per potenziare passione e vivacita intellettuale

ItL'uso della matematica nella società è cambiato profondamente negli ultimi decenni. Ciò ha influito sul suo ruolo nel percorso educativo che ha anche perso, così, una visione organica. E' necessario che la scuola della progettualità e dell'autonomia recuperi l'unitarietà del sapere, e riconquisti una visione globale del processo educativo. Sin dalla scuola di base può essere stimolata la creatività di ogni studente, con una scuola che guidi l'alunno a ricercare la conoscenza non solo con la logica e il ragionamento, ma anche con l'intuito e la fantasia e con una scuola che stimoli la curiosità, che sia attenta ai bisogni degli studenti e che ne favorisca il protagonismo in un clima di collaborazione. Ovviamente non è facile abbandonare la comoda via dei programmi tradizionali,i consueti criteri di verifica e di valutazione. La via della sperimentazione è più complessa e rischiosa. Nel lavoro si presentano aspetti e spunti particolari di argomenti che rendono la matematica curiosa ed affascinante quali i bioritmi ed i frattali e stimolante quale la crittografia. Si discutono, quindi, celebrazioni di organizzazioni mondiali quale, l'UNESCO, e conquiste sociali e civili di grandi scienziati che suscitano forti passioni ed evidenziano profondo spirito critico. Infine si presentano argomenti ludici e divertenti che richiedono creatività e fantasia mostrando matematica che stimola vivacità di pensiero e potenzia le capacità intellettuali

On Braggarts and Gossips: Why Consumers Generate Positive but Transmit Negative Word-of-Mouth

Past research has presented conflicting evidence as to whether consumers are more likely to share positive or negative word-of-mouth. We offer a novel theoretical perspective to reconcile this conflict by comparing the generation of word-of-mouth (i.e., consumers sharing information about their own experiences) to the transmission of word-of-mouth (i.e., consumers passing-on information about experiences they heard occurred to others). We suggest that the self-enhancement motive leads consumers to generate positive word-of-mouth, but also to transmit negative word-of-mouth. Evidence for self-enhancement motives playing out in a unique fashion at word-of-mouth generation and transmission is presented across a series of four experiments