Effect of heuristics on serendipity in path-based storytelling with linked data

Path-based storytelling with Linked Data on the Web provides users the ability to discover concepts in an entertaining and educational way. Given a query context, many state-of-the-art pathfinding approaches aim at telling a story that coincides with the user's expectations by investigating paths over Linked Data on the Web. By taking into account serendipity in storytelling, we aim at improving and tailoring existing approaches towards better fitting user expectations so that users are able to discover interesting knowledge without feeling unsure or even lost in the story facts. To this end, we propose to optimize the link estimation between - and the selection of facts in a story by increasing the consistency and relevancy of links between facts through additional domain delineation and refinement steps. In order to address multiple aspects of serendipity, we propose and investigate combinations of weights and heuristics in paths forming the essential building blocks for each story. Our experimental findings with stories based on DBpedia indicate the improvements when applying the optimized algorithm

A morphometric and karyological study of Onobrychis calabrica (Fabaceae), a neglected species endemic to Calabria, S Italy

A morphometric (multivariate and univariate) and karyological study of Onobrychis calabrica Sirj. (Fabaceae), compared to O. alba subsp. echinata (Guss.) P. W. Ball and O. supina (Chaix ex Vill.) DC., was carried out. According to our results, twelve morphological characters clearly support the distinctiveness of O. calabrica. In addition, the latter species is tetraploid with 2n = 4x = 28 chromosomes, whereas the other two taxa are diploid with 2n = 2x = 14 chromosomes. The names O. calabrica and O. handel-mazzettii Sirj. (a heterotypic synonym of O. supina) are lectotypified here. Onobrychis calabrica, a narrow endemic to SE Calabria, S Italy, is here assessed as Critically Endangered CR B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii) following IUCN Red List categories and criteria

Influence of Calcined Clay on Workability of Mortars with Low-carbon Cement

The second-largest industrial global emitter of CO2 (Carbon dioxide) is the cement sector. The technology roadmap of low carbon transition for cement industries includes the introduction of calcined clay (CC) as supplementary cementitious material. A new type of alternative binder, called Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3), was recently proposed. This cement can reduce CO2 emissions of cement production by up to 40% and it is prepared using limestone (LS) and clay which are globally available. Many scientific studies aimed to investigate the hydration of LC3 to understand the contribution of CC to the development of the compressive strength. However, recent studies showed that other cement properties, like workability and water demand, are highly impacted by calcined clay. Despite some papers state that an increase in superplasticizer (SP) dosage compensate this effect, such concrete is usually sticky, and hard to handle and deal with. In this sense, a proper understanding of the mechanisms regulating rheology of LC3 is needed. The objective of this study is to analyze workability of CC-based cement pastes and mortar, specifically investigating the role of free water in particle suspensions. Preliminary results show that CC highly influences workability of mortars and pastes. The flow table test results highlight a need to increase SP dosage to achieve target workability with CC cements. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and 1 H time domain-nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) results clarify that the capillary unbound water is rapidly consumed by CC, being thus unavailable to fluidify cement pastes. This multi-method approach provides a further step in understanding CC impact on workability of mortars with low-carbon cement and opens new ways to understand paste, mortar, and concrete workability

Bayesian Knowledge Tracing for Navigation through Marzano’s Taxonomy

In this paper we propose a theoretical model of an ITS (Intelligent Tutoring Systems) capable of improving and updating computer-aided navigation based on Bloom’s taxonomy. For this we use the Bayesian Knowledge Tracing algorithm, performing an adaptive control of the navigation among different levels of cognition in online courses. These levels are defined by a taxonomy of educational objectives with a hierarchical order in terms of the control that some processes have over others, called Marzano’s Taxonomy, that takes into account the metacognitive system, responsible for the creation of goals as well as strategies to fulfill them. The main improvements of this proposal are: 1) An adaptive transition between individual assessment questions determined by levels of cognition. 2) A student model based on the initial response of a group of learners which is then adjusted to the ability of each learner. 3) The promotion of metacognitive skills such as goal setting and self-monitoring through the estimation of attempts required to pass the levels. One level of Marzano's taxonomy was left in the hands of the human teacher, clarifying that a differentiation must be made between the tasks in which an ITS can be an important aid and in which it would be more difficult

MICROBIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION ON MOZZARELLA CHEESE SAMPLES NEAR THEIR EXPIRY DATE

A microbiological investigation was carried out on 30 mozzarella cheese samples to evaluate their quality near the expiry date. Total coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. were detected at high levels in 70% and in 30% of the samples, respectively. Pseudomonadaceae were considered as the microorganisms responsible of the texture changing spoilage symptoms that were observed in 13,3% of the samples. Isolated strains were identified by PCR-TGGE analysis as P. rhodesiae (37,5%), P. putida (33,3%) and P. poae (29,2%)

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 6

In this contribution, new chromosome data obtained on material collected in Italy are presented. It includes three chromosome counts for Bupleurum baldense Turra, Colchicum lusitanum Brot., and Euphorbia gasparrinii Boiss. subsp. gasparrinii

Comparison of the Conceptual Map and Traditional Lecture Methods on Students’ Learning Based on the VARK Learning Style Model: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Developing skills and knowledge in nursing education remains a considerable challenge. Nurse instructors need to be aware of students' learning styles so as to meet students' individual learning preferences and optimize knowledge and understanding. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the conceptual map and the traditional lecture methods on students' learning based on the VARK learning styles model. In this randomized controlled trial, 160 students from nursing, nurse anesthetics, and midwifery disciplines with four different learning styles of visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic were selected using the convenience sampling method. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (conceptual map method) or control (traditional lecture method) groups. A medical-surgical nursing course was taught to the students in both groups over 6 weeks. Data collection tools consisted of the VARK questionnaire and pre-and postassessments. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics via the SPSS software. Teaching using the conceptual map method had different effects on the students' learning outcomes based on their learning styles. The conceptual map method had a statistically significant impact on the students' learning in the intervention group compared with the control group in the students with a visual learning style (p ¼ .036). No statistically significant differences were reported between the groups in other three learning styles. Nurse instructors should assess students' learning styles based on the VARK model before the application of a particular teaching method to improve the quality of nursing education and facilitate deeper learning

Barrett’s esophagus: results from an Italian cohort with tight endoscopic surveillance

Background and aim: Barrett’s Esophagus represent a condition that predisposes to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The aim of the present study was to analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with BE, to establish the presence of risk factors for this condition, and to determine the frequency of dysplastic lesions as well as the evolution towards adenocarcinoma under tight endoscopic control. Methods: In this study, we retrospectively collected and analyzed data from a cohort of patients with Barrett’s Esophagus identified through endoscopic records of ULSS7 in Northern Italy, who underwent upper esophago-gastroduodenoscopy over a 10-year period from July 2008 to December 2020. Results: A total of 264 patients were identified as having BE and included in the study. Mean follow-up was 6.7 years (range: 3 months-13 years). Demographic characteristics of the study population included mean age of 62.7 years (range 33-90 years), with 62.5% of the study population being aged 60 or older, and a male predominance. Females were significantly older than males (65.7 years, range 37-90 vs 61.9 years, range 33-87, p=0.043, respectively). Conclusions: The present study confirms the importance of tight endoscopic control in the management of BE, favoring early detection of BE degeneration towards high grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma. In a subset of patients with high-risk factors including male sex, cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol intake, it may be worthwhile to consider endoscopic control over time in order to detect the development of BE. (www.actabiomedica.it)