3,076 research outputs found
Use of Robotics kits for the enhancement of metacognitive skills of mathematics: a possible approach
The present study is aimed at analyzing the process of building and programming robots as a metacognitive
tool of mathematics. Quantitative data from a study performed on a sample of students attending an Italian secondary
school are described. Results showed that robotics activities may be used as a new metacognitive environment
allowing students to improve their attitude towards mathematics, and to increase their attitude to reflect on themselves
and on their own learning, and their higher-level control components, such as forecasting, planning, monitoring and
evaluation exercises and problems related to implementation
Age, metallicity and star formation history of spheroidal galaxies in cluster at z~1.2
We present the analysis, based on spectra collected at the Large Binocular
Telescope, of the stellar populations in seven spheroidal galaxies in the
cluster XLSSJ0223 at 1.22. The aim is to constrain the epoch of their
formation and their star formation history. Using absorption line strenghts and
full spectral fitting, we derive for the stellar populations of the seven
spheroids a median age =2.40.6 Gyr, corresponding to a median
formation redshift $\sim2.6_{-0.5}^{+0.7}$ (lookback time =
11$_{-1.0}^{+0.6}$ Gyr). We find a significant scatter in age, showing that
massive spheroids, at least in our targeted cluster, are not coeval. The median
metallicity is [Z/H]=0.09$\pm$0.16, as for early-types in clusters at
0$<z<<\sigma_e_{dyn}\Sigma_e_{dyn}\Sigma_e_{dyn}\Sigma_ez\sim1.3$, i.e.
more massive spheroids are more metal rich, have lower stellar mass density and
tend to be older than lower-mass galaxies.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures, 6 tables, published on MNRA
Borderline personality in patients with poly-diagnoses treated for a Bipolar Disorder
Some patients with dysphoria, explosive behaviour, or suicidal ideation, may receive a diagnosis of, and treatment for Bipolar Disorder (BD) and, not infrequently. The coexistence of these two diagnoses has been explained in different ways. Some authors include the BPD in the bipolar spectrum; others are sceptical about the existence of real comorbidity, suggesting a misdiagnosis. This study aimed to assess the personality of this group of poly-diagnosed patients (PolyD) and hypothesised they had a pathological borderline organisation. Via the administration of the Schedler Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP-200), we compared PolyD patients with those suffering from BPD or BD only. We performed two different MANCOVAs to test PolyD, BPD and BD patients' differences in PD-factors, Q-traits and age. The sample comprised 45 patients (Mean age=43.3, SD=15.7; Females 57.7%, N=26). BD patients (N=15) did not present any personality disorder, they had a higher functioning and Obsessive Q-traits, and a lower Histrionic PD-factor than both PolyD (N=20) and BPD (N=10) patients. Compared to PolyD patients, BD had inferior PD-Borderline, PD-Antisocial factor and Dependent-Masochistic Q-traits, but there were no other differences with BPD patients. PolyD did not differ from BPD patients in any of the PD-factors and Q-traits. Our results suggest that PolyD patients are different from BD patients and propose to consider the pathological borderline personality as a central core of their disease
Break in volition: a virtual reality study in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder
Research in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) produced inconsistent results in demonstrating an association between patients' symptom severity and their cognitive impairments. The process involved in volition aspects of behavioral syndromes can be extensively analyzed using specific tests developed in virtual environments, more suitable to manipulate rules and possible breaks of the normal task execution with different, confusing or stopping instructions. The study involved thirty participants (15 OCD patients and 15 controls) during task execution and the relative interferences. At this purpose, the virtual version of Multiple Errands Test was used. Virtual reality setting, with a higher ecological validity respect to a classic neuropsychological battery, allowed us to take into account deficits of volition and the relative dysexecutive functions associated with OCD patients. The proposed paradigm also allows the development of innovative prototypes of coevolving technologies based on new theories and models and deeper understanding of human behavior
The puzzling interpretation of NIR indices: The case of NaI2.21
We present a detailed study of the Na I line strength index centered in the
-band at , {\AA} (NaI2.21 hereafter) relying on different samples of
early-type galaxies. Consistent with previous studies, we find that the
observed line strength indices cannot be fit by state-of-art scaled-solar
stellar population models, even using our newly developed models in the NIR.
The models clearly underestimate the large NaI2.21 values measured for most
early-type galaxies. However, we develop a Na-enhanced version of our newly
developed models in the NIR, which - together with the effect of a bottom-heavy
initial mass function - yield NaI2.21 indices in the range of the observations.
Therefore, we suggest a scenario in which the combined effect of [Na/Fe]
enhancement and a bottom-heavy initial mass function are mainly responsible for
the large NaI2.21 indices observed for most early-type galaxies. To a smaller
extent, also [C/Fe] enhancement might contribute to the large observed NaI2.21
values.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
INCIDENCE OF PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS IN PALERMO: PRELIMINARY DATA
Background: The incidence of psychotic disorders varies in different geographical
areas (McGrath 2004). Recent data suggest that the incidence is
higher in males, migrant minorities and in urban areas. There aren\u2019t many
available epidemiological data on the incidence of psychotic disorders in
Italy. This is the first incidence study on psychotic disorders carried out in
Palermo, the capital of Sicily.
Methods: we screened all patients presenting with their first episode of
psychosis to the mental health services of our catchment area (5 inpatient,
5 outpatient units and 3 private psychiatric hospitals) over a period of
three years (2008-2011). The diagnosis of psychosis was defined using the
Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN Wing, J. K., et
al., 1990).The main socio-demographic data were collected using the MRC
Social Data Schedule. When subjects were not available (did not consent)
for interview, information was collected from clinical notes. The population
at risk referred to the people aged from 18-65 who were resident in
the same catchment area (Palermo Municipality) in the period considered,
according to the data of the Statistic Office of Palermo Municipality).
Results: we identified 216 patients affected by a first episode of psychosis
(FEP): 135 M (62.5%) and 81 F (37.5%), mean age 31.42 years (SD: 11.44).
77.1% of FEP had a diagnosis of non affective psychosis, 12.8% of affective
psychosis and 10.1% received a diagnosis of other psychosis. 204 subjects
were Caucasian, 12 non Caucasian belonging to various ethnicities and they
were all first generation migrants (4 Indian, 3 African, 2 Bangladeshi, and
3 Mixed). Population at risk is 425.194 people. The mean age of onset
was lower in men than women M: 29.98 years (SD: 10.41) vs. F: 34.28
(SD:12.64) (p=0.013)The incidence of psychotic disorders in our catchment
area is 16,9 per 100.000 person years. It was higher in men 21,9 per 100.000
than women 12,2 per 100.000.
Discussion: Our study is the first epidemiological study in Sicily investigating
the incidence of psychotic disorders. In our population men have a higher
incidence of psychotic disorders than women and an earlier age of onset
IMF and [Na/Fe] abundance ratios from optical and NIR Spectral Features in Early-type Galaxies
We present a joint analysis of the four most prominent sodium-sensitive
features (NaD, NaI8190, NaI1.14, and NaI2.21), in the optical and Near-Infrared
spectral range, of two nearby, massive (sigma~300km/s), early-type galaxies
(named XSG1 and XSG2). Our analysis relies on deep VLT/X-Shooter long-slit
spectra, along with newly developed stellar population models, allowing for
[Na/Fe] variations, up to 1.2dex, over a wide range of age, total metallicity,
and IMF slope. The new models show that the response of the Na-dependent
spectral indices to [Na/Fe] is stronger when the IMF is bottom heavier. For the
first time, we are able to match all four Na features in the central regions of
massive early-type galaxies, finding an overabundance of [Na/Fe], in the range
0.5-0.7dex, and a bottom-heavy IMF. Therefore, individual abundance variations
cannot be fully responsible for the trends of gravity-sensitive indices,
strengthening the case towards a non-universal IMF. Given current limitations
of theoretical atmosphere models, our [Na/Fe] estimates should be taken as
upper limits. For XSG1, where line strengths are measured out to 0.8Re, the
radial trend of [Na/Fe] is similar to [Mg/Fe] and [C/Fe], being constant out to
0.5Re, and decreasing by 0.2-0.3dex at 0.8Re, without any clear correlation
with local metallicity. Such a result seems to be in contrast with the
predicted increase of Na nucleosynthetic yields from AGB stars and TypeII SNe.
For XSG1, the Na-inferred IMF radial profile is consistent, within the errors,
with that derived from TiO features and the Wing-Ford band, presented in a
recent paper.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figure, accepted for publication in MNRAS. The new
Na-enhanced models will be available soon at http://miles.iac.es
Study of gender differences in VR response following cardiac surgery
Cardiac and other invasive surgical procedures cause significant anxiety and stress to patients and their family members. In this study Virtual Reality (VR) was used as a method to reduce stress, anxiety and pain in patients undergoing surgical procedures. This study compared a cohort of patients in the interval prior to and successive to the surgery, differentiating the responses achieved by males and females and comparing the effectiveness. The results are encouraging: they demonstrate the efficacy of VR treatment and the safety of the method and detection of differences in the responses based on gender
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