LittleC.js: A Lightweight, Minimal, Extensible, and Embeddable JavaScript Implementation of the C Programming Language

Visual block languages have introduced new ways of learning computer languages. New Integrated development environments (IDEs) for standard programming languages such as C or SQL have been developed, derived from block languages and based on the metaphor of building blocks. New online IDEs, mostly used in online courses, have then made programming with standard, text-based programming languages such as C or Java, as easy as possible. Nonetheless, a gap still exists between learning computer programming in a Visual environment based on the block metaphor and a standard environment for a text-based programming language. In this paper, we propose a lightweight integrated development environment, developed for an Introductory Computer Programming course at the Faculty of Engineering of Cagliari, which can be used to gradually introduce students to the C programming language. The tool can be easily embedded in online resources that can also be accessed via mobile devices

Developing customised computer science courses for non-major students in informatics, computer science, or media: a case study on health psychologists

Learning how to effectively communicate in our media-centered digital world is crucial for all professionals. However, it holds even greater importance for health professionals, given their primary objective of improving people's health. Therefore, it is imperative to dedicate significant effort to designing Computer Science (CS) courses that cater to the specific needs of these professionals, equipping them with the skills and capabilities of modern digital communication. Developing CS courses specifically tailored for non-CS majors is particularly significant, as it reduces the likelihood of failure. In this study, I aim to outline the process of identifying relevant directions and tools, and designing a comprehensive course plan that enables professionals to acquire the necessary CS skills. By pinpointing topics that are directly applicable to their future professions, the course will teach professionals how to effectively utilize and design digital systems. To conduct this research, the doctoral degree course "Informatics for the Psychology of Health" at the University of Cagliari has been selected as a case study. Using qualitative methods, I assessed the satisfaction levels and perceived usefulness of the course among students. Through this investigation, numerous valuable directions were identified, along with a concise collection of free and open-source tools that will provide students with the knowledge they require to independently create and design digital interactive media. By adopting this approach, courses tailored to professionals can be designed, effectively reducing high dropout and failure rates

Per un atlante linguistico informatizzato della Sardegna

Da quando le nuove tecnologie della informazione e della comunicazione sono state rese disponibili in forma massiva nelle industrie e negli istituti di ricerca i campi di indagine e applicazione che ne sono stati permeati hanno cambiato inevitabilmente volto. Da questo punto di vista, la linguistica non fa eccezione1. Essa non fa eccezione nemmeno per quel che riguarda una distinzione che vale per tutte le aree investite dall’innovazione tecnologica: quella tra l’automazione che semplicemente accelera, ottimizza e rende realizzabili da macchine, invece che da esseri umani, processi di elaborazione di varia natura (simbolica o meccanica) e l’informatizzazione che enuclea nuove possibilita’ e proprieta’ relativamente ai medesimi processi consentendo sia di comprenderne aspetti non pensabili prima dell’avvento dell’informatizzazione che di scoprire nuove frontiere di conoscenza2. Vedrem

Who learns better. Achieving long-term knowledge retention by programming-based learning

In this paper we describe the experience of a year-long experiment devoted to understanding if retention of knowledge acquired by students while learning a specific subject can be improved by letting them build by themselves interactive models of that knowledge by means of a visual programming language based on the block metaphor. What we propose is along the lines of active learning and learning-by-teaching. Students build an interactive model that tests the knowledge of a specific topic and it is assumed that the topic will be better memorized and understood than using standard learning strategies. To test this hypothesis, we run an experiment on the students of two 5th grade classes, split in three groups. One group learned the topic by both following standard explanations and by creating by themselves multimedia interactive projects by means of a block language. A second group learned by following standard explanations and by playing with multimedia interactive projects created by their peers in the first group. A third group learned by only following standard explanations. The experiment outcome shows that there is a significant improvement in the retention rate after several months for those students that build their digital tools by themselves with respect to both students that use digital tools built by others and students that do not use digital tools at all. It is our opinion that this strategy can be applied to topics of all disciplines, providing the bases of what we can define as programming-based learning, a general learning methodology based on computer programming

Pin-on-Disc Testing of Low-Metallic Friction Material Sliding Against HVOF Coated Cast Iron: Modelling of the Contact Temperature Evolution

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music therapy effects in people with dementia

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Low molecular weight Adiponectin increases the mortality risk in very old patients

Despite its beneficial role on insulin resistance and atherosclerosis, adiponectin has been frequently reported as an independent positive predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Very few information is available regarding adiponectin isoforms and mortality, in particular in advanced aging. Baseline serum levels of Total Adiponectin and its circulating isoforms (HMW-, MMW-, LMW-Adiponectin) were measured in 97 old patients (mean age: 79 years). Patients were followed up for all-cause mortality (study end-point) for an average of 76.4 ±37.3 months. A positive association was observed for LMW-Ad and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05-1,22, p: 0.002). After multivariate adjustment for age, sex and a previous history of myocardial infarction, higher levels of LMW-Ad were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21; p: 0.017). Interestingly neither total adiponectin neither the other two circulating isoforms (MMW- and HMW-Ad) showed any significant association with the study end-point. Our data suggest that the association between high serum adiponectin levels and increased mortality rate in elderly is contingent to an unbalanced circulating levels of adiponectin isoforms. The present results support the hypothesis that high levels of Low Molecular Weight adiponectin are a biomarker for mortality risk in very old patients