Il modello degli epistemic game per la progettazione di strumenti di analisi di problemi: uno studio sull’induzione elettromagnetica nella scuola secondaria

Questo lavoro di tesi si colloca nelle linee di ricerca in Didattica della Fisica dell’Università di Bologna e, in particolare, nel contesto dello studio delle criticità nell’insegnamento e apprendimento dell’elettromagnetismo, intrecciato al tema dell’interdisciplinarità tra matematica e fisica nell’ambito del problem solving. L’obiettivo principale del lavoro è la progettazione di uno strumento (una griglia di meta-riflessione) finalizzato a guidare studenti di scuola secondaria ad analizzare criticamente il testo di un problema e favorire la formazione di competenze sempre più raffinate di problem solving. La griglia è stata costruita prendendo come riferimento teorico il concetto di "epistemic game" elaborato da Tuminaro e Redish (2007) ed è stata utilizzata con studenti di una classe V di liceo scientifico. È stato scelto di introdurre lo strumento nell’ambito dell’induzione elettromagnetica per il ruolo che sta svolgendo nel dibattito italiano circa la seconda prova di fisica. I risultati mostrano quanto la griglia si sia rivelata efficace per innescare, da una parte, riflessioni collettive vivaci sui processi di modellizzazione e sulle strategie messe in atto dagli studenti nella soluzione dei problemi e, dall’altra, per favorire lo sviluppo di ragionamenti individuali orientati a problematizzare ed arricchire le proprie strategie di problem solving. La versatilità dello strumento progettato lo rende adatto per un suo utilizzo in contesti molto diversi tra di loro (per temi di fisica, livelli e contesti scolastici) e questo rende la griglia un promettente e concreto veicolo di innovazione didattica

Visits to figurative art museums may lower blood pressure and stress

Background: The research aimed to assess, through physiological measurements such as blood pressure and heart rate, whether exposure to art museums and to different art styles (figurative vs. modern art) was able to enhance visitors’ well-being in terms of relaxing and stress reduction. Method: Participants (n = 77) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions, on the basis of the typology of the art style they were exposed to in the museum visit: (1) figurative art, (2) modern art and (3) museum office (as a control condition). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after the visits. Results: Diastolic values of the participants were quite stable, as expected in people who do not suffer hypertension; we therefore considered only variations in systolic blood pressure. The majority of the participants exposed to figurative art significantly decreased systolic blood pressure compared to those exposed to modern art and museum office. No differences were found in the heart rate before and after the visit for the three groups. Conclusion: Findings suggest that museum visits can have health benefits, and figurative art may decrease systolic blood pressur

Portuguese Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold populations: genetic diversity, structure and relationships inferred by SSR markers

n/

Correlation between Chest Computed Tomography Score and Laboratory Biomarkers in the Risk Stratification of COVID-19 Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department

background: it has been reported that mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) could be considered a useful tool to stratify the mortality risk in COVID-19 patients upon admission to the emergency department (ED). during the COVID-19 outbreak, computed tomography (CT) scans were widely used for their excellent sensitivity in diagnosing pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. however, the possible role of CT score in the risk stratification of COVID-19 patients upon admission to the ED is still unclear. aim: the main objective of this study was to assess if the association of the CT findings alone or together with MR-proADM results could ameliorate the prediction of in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients at the triage. moreover, the hypothesis that CT score and MR-proADM levels together could play a key role in predicting the correct clinical setting for these patients was also evaluated. methods: epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcome data were assessed and analyzed from 265 consecutive patients admitted to the triage of the ED with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. results and conclusions: the accuracy results by AUROC analysis and statistical analysis demonstrated that CT score is particularly effective, when utilized together with the MR-proADM level, in the risk stratification of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ED, thus helping the decision-making process of emergency physicians and optimizing the hospital resources

The gut microbiome: a key player in the complexity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Background Much progress has been made in mapping genetic abnormalities linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the majority of cases still present with no known underlying cause. Furthermore, even in families with a shared genetic abnormality there is significant phenotypic variability, suggesting that non-genetic elements may modify pathogenesis. Identification of such disease-modifiers is important as they might represent new therapeutic targets. A growing body of research has begun to shed light on the role played by the gut microbiome in health and disease with a number of studies linking abnormalities to ALS. Main body The microbiome refers to the genes belonging to the myriad different microorganisms that live within and upon us, collectively known as the microbiota. Most of these microbes are found in the intestines, where they play important roles in digestion and the generation of key metabolites including neurotransmitters. The gut microbiota is an important aspect of the environment in which our bodies operate and inter-individual differences may be key to explaining the different disease outcomes seen in ALS. Work has begun to investigate animal models of the disease, and the gut microbiomes of people living with ALS, revealing changes in the microbial communities of these groups. The current body of knowledge will be summarised in this review. Advances in microbiome sequencing methods will be highlighted, as their improved resolution now enables researchers to further explore differences at a functional level. Proposed mechanisms connecting the gut microbiome to neurodegeneration will also be considered, including direct effects via metabolites released into the host circulation and indirect effects on bioavailability of nutrients and even medications. Conclusion Profiling of the gut microbiome has the potential to add an environmental component to rapidly advancing studies of ALS genetics and move research a step further towards personalised medicine for this disease. Moreover, should compelling evidence of upstream neurotoxicity or neuroprotection initiated by gut microbiota emerge, modification of the microbiome will represent a potential new avenue for disease modifying therapies. For an intractable condition with few current therapeutic options, further research into the ALS microbiome is of crucial importance

IBIS2.0: The new Interferometric BIdimensional Spectrometer

We present the IBIS2.0 project, which aims to upgrade and to install the Interferometric BIdimensional Spectrometer at the solar Vacuum Tower Telescope (Tenerife, Spain) after its disassembling from the Dunn Solar Telescope (New Mexico, USA). The instrument is undergoing a hardware and software revision that will allow it to perform new spectropolarimetric measurements of the solar atmosphere at high spatial, spectral and temporal resolution in coordination with other ground- and space-based instruments. Here we present the new opto-mechanical layout and control system designed for the instrument, and describe future steps...

Gender Gap in Parental Leave Intentions: Evidence from 37 Countries

Despite global commitments and efforts, a gender-based division of paid and unpaid work persists. To identify how psychological factors, national policies, and the broader sociocultural context contribute to this inequality, we assessed parental-leave intentions in young adults (18–30 years old) planning to have children (N = 13,942; 8,880 identified as women; 5,062 identified as men) across 37 countries that varied in parental-leave policies and societal gender equality. In all countries, women intended to take longer leave than men. National parental-leave policies and women’s political representation partially explained cross-national variations in the gender gap. Gender gaps in leave intentions were paradoxically larger in countries with more gender-egalitarian parental-leave policies (i.e., longer leave available to both fathers and mothers). Interestingly, this cross-national variation in the gender gap was driven by cross-national variations in women’s (rather than men’s) leave intentions. Financially generous leave and gender-egalitarian policies (linked to men’s higher uptake in prior research) were not associated with leave intentions in men. Rather, men’s leave intentions were related to their individual gender attitudes. Leave intentions were inversely related to career ambitions. The potential for existing policies to foster gender equality in paid and unpaid work is discussed.Gender Gap in Parental Leave Intentions: Evidence from 37 CountriespublishedVersio

Gender Gap in Parental Leave Intentions: Evidence from 37 Countries

Despite global commitments and efforts, a gender-based division of paid and unpaid work persists. To identify how psychological factors, national policies, and the broader sociocultural context contribute to this inequality, we assessed parental-leave intentions in young adults (18–30 years old) planning to have children (N = 13,942; 8,880 identified as women; 5,062 identified as men) across 37 countries that varied in parental-leave policies and societal gender equality. In all countries, women intended to take longer leave than men. National parental-leave policies and women’s political representation partially explained cross-national variations in the gender gap. Gender gaps in leave intentions were paradoxically larger in countries with more gender-egalitarian parental-leave policies (i.e., longer leave available to both fathers and mothers). Interestingly, this cross-national variation in the gender gap was driven by cross-national variations in women’s (rather than men’s) leave intentions. Financially generous leave and gender-egalitarian policies (linked to men’s higher uptake in prior research) were not associated with leave intentions in men. Rather, men’s leave intentions were related to their individual gender attitudes. Leave intentions were inversely related to career ambitions. The potential for existing policies to foster gender equality in paid and unpaid work is discussed