Widening agreement processing: a matter of time, features and distance

Published online: 08 Mar 2018Existing psycholinguistic models typically describe agreement relations as monolithic phenomena amounting to mechanisms that check mere feature consistency. This eye-tracking study aimed at widening this perspective by investigating the time spent reading subject-verb (number, person) and adverb-verb (tense) violations on an inflected verb during sentence comprehension in Spanish. Results suggest that (i) distinct processing mechanisms underlie the analysis of subject-verb and adverb-verb relations, (ii) the parser is sensitive to the different interpretive properties that characterise the person, number and tense features encoded in the verb (i.e. anchoring to discourse for person and tense interpretation, as opposed to anchoring to cardinality information for number), and (iii) the (local, distal) position of the agreement controller with respect to the verb affects the interpretation of these dependencies. An account is proposed that capitalises on the importance of enriching current sentence processing formalizations using a feature and relation-based approach.S.M acknowledges funding from the Gipuzkoa Fellowship Program, from grants FFI2016-76432 and SEV-2015-490, Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres/Units of excellence in R&D awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO). L.R. acknowledges support from the ERC Advanced Grant n. 340297 “SynCart”

Prediction of Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Effects on Entropy Generation in a Monolithic Catalytic Converter Using Large-Eddy Simulation

In the present work, heat transfer and fluid flow and their effects on entropy generation in a realistic catalytic converter of a Lada Niva 21214 vehicle are studied using large eddy simulation. At first, the pressure drop over the catalytic converter is measured for dry air at constant temperature (T=298 K), different volumetric flow rates, and extrapolated to large volumetric flow rates for dry air (T=298 K) and for the exhaust gas under realistic engine conditions (T=900 K) using the Darcy–Forchheimer relation. Then, coupled heat and fluid flow phenomena inside the catalytic converter are analyzed for nonreacting isothermal conditions and nonreacting conditions with conjugate heat transfer by using the large-eddy simulation. The predicted pressure drop agrees well with the measured and extrapolated data. Based on the obtained numerical results, the characteristic flow features are identified, namely: the impinging flow with stagnation, recirculation, flow separation and laminarization within the fine ducts of the monolith, which depends on the heat transfer through temperature-dependent thermophysical properties of exhaust gas. Moreover, due to high-velocity gradients at the wall of the narrow ducts in the monolith, entropy production by viscous dissipation is observed predominantly in the monolith region. In contrast, entropy production due to heat transport is relatively small in the monolith region, while it overwhelms viscous dissipation effects in the pipe regions

#BiodiversityFestivalOnTheRoad

For years the qualified personnel, technicians, technologists and researchers of CNR-IAS – Detached Unit of Capo Granitola have been promoting the value of scientific dissemination by pursuing the third mission of Research Institutions through the direct application, valorization and use of knowledge. The scientific team works with professionalism and dedication, revealing the passion that supports them in their work, welcoming schools of all levels on daily visits or by activating PCTO (Paths for Transversal Skills and Orientation) promoting the choice of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines as a University choice. In SPOKE 7, the #BiodiversityFestivalontheroad activity falls within the BIODIVERSITY AND SOCIETY - Communication, education and social impact section and has the objective of communicating and enhancing scientific research by actively involving stakeholders using an integrated communication strategy, in which the activities of scientific research are promoted through direct contact between science and society in a space well embedded in the territory and culture

Delphy 3D: The guardian of biodiversity of Capo Granitola

Cetacean strandings along the coasts of Sicily are considered a resource for research and scientific museology in the Mediterranean Basin. Through storytelling, the "Delphy" project presents behaviours, mysteries and anecdotes of the cetacean species in the Capo Granitola area, right in the middle of the Sicilian Channel. It enhances and disseminates the results of scientific studies in the field on species once considered "monsters" or "beasts» and still nicknamed the "Guardians of the Cape Granitola Lighthouse" by local people

Ruxolitinib in cytopenic myelofibrosis: Response, toxicity, drug discontinuation, and outcome

Background: Patients with cytopenic myelofibrosis (MF) have more limited therapeutic options and poorer prognoses compared with patients with the myeloproliferative phenotype. Aims and methods: Prognostic correlates of cytopenic phenotype were explored in 886 ruxolitinib-treated patients with primary/secondary MF (PMF/SMF) included in the RUX-MF retrospective study. Cytopenia was defined as: leukocyte count <4 × 109 /L and/or hemoglobin <11/<10 g/dL (males/females) and/or platelets <100 × 109 /L. Results: Overall, 407 (45.9%) patients had a cytopenic MF, including 249 (52.4%) with PMF. In multivariable analysis, high molecular risk mutations (p = .04), intermediate 2/high Dynamic International Prognostic Score System (p < .001) and intermediate 2/high Myelofibrosis Secondary to Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia Prognostic Model (p < .001) remained associated with cytopenic MF in the overall cohort, PMF, and SMF, respectively. Patients with cytopenia received lower average ruxolitinib at the starting (25.2 mg/day vs. 30.2 mg/day, p < .001) and overall doses (23.6 mg/day vs. 26.8 mg/day, p < .001) and achieved lower rates of spleen (26.5% vs. 34.1%, p = .04) and symptom (59.8% vs. 68.8%, p = .008) responses at 6 months compared with patients with the proliferative phenotype. Patients with cytopenia also had higher rates of thrombocytopenia at 3 months (31.1% vs. 18.8%, p < .001) but lower rates of anemia (65.6% vs. 57.7%, p = .02 at 3 months and 56.6% vs. 23.9% at 6 months, p < .001). After competing risk analysis, the cumulative incidence of ruxolitinib discontinuation at 5 years was 57% and 38% in patients with cytopenia and the proliferative phenotype (p < .001), whereas cumulative incidence of leukemic transformation was similar (p = .06). In Cox regression analysis adjusted for Dynamic International Prognostic Score System score, survival was significantly shorter in patients with cytopenia (p < .001). Conclusions: Cytopenic MF has a lower probability of therapeutic success with ruxolitinib as monotherapy and worse outcome. These patients should be considered for alternative therapeutic strategies

"Global change, sostenibilità ambientale e Biodiversità": il PCTO delle classi III D e III E, indirizzo (Scienze Applicate) del Liceo Scientifico "Pietro Ruggeri" di Marsala presso l'IAS - CNR Sede Secondaria di Capo Granitola

Con la partecipazione ad Esperienza InSegna 2020 (https://www.esperienzainsegna.it/) - Cambiamento climatico e sostenibilità ambientale - organizzata dall'Associazione PALERMOSCIENZA, da martedì 18 a domenica 23 febbraio 2020 presso l'Università degli Studi di Palermo (Edificio 19 - Viale delle Scienze) - l'IAS – CNR porta a termine un'esperienza formativa di successo rivolta a 54 allievi delle classi III D e III E, indirizzo Scienze Applicate, del Liceo Scientifico "Pietro Ruggeri" di Marsala (TP) presso l'IAS – CNR – S. S. di Capo Granitola nell'ambito del Percorso per le competenze trasversali e per l'orientamento (PCTO ex ASL), e regolamentata dalla convenzione Prot. IAS n° 0000030 del 08/01/2020. Il Direttore f.f. di IAS – CNR il Dottor Mario Sprovieri e il Responsabile dell'IAS – CNR Sede Secondaria di Capo Granitola, il Dottor Giorgio Tranchida, hanno promosso e supportato le attività del PCTO, anche quest'anno come negli anni passati, accogliendole come una irrinunciabile occasione per i tecnici, i tecnologi e i ricercatori di perseguire la " terza missione" degli Enti di Ricerca, attraverso l'applicazione diretta, la valorizzazione e l'impiego della conoscenza per contribuire allo sviluppo sociale, culturale ed economico della società. Sono state 25 le unità di personale (8 ricercatori, 2 tecnologi, 11 tecnici e 4 assegnisti di ricerca) dell'IAS – CNR, Sedi Secondarie di Capo Granitola e di Palermo, che hanno lavorato in sinergia e con entusiasmo, presso la S. S. di Capo Granitola, permettendo di elaborare una proposta formativa ricca di contenuti scientifici da trasferire agli alunni delle classi III D e III E del Liceo Scientifico "P. Ruggeri". Il personale scientifico, grazie all'esperienza acquisita negli anni, è ben consapevole del fatto che le pratiche attive, come l'apprendimento collaborativo ed i piccoli gruppi di lavoro, risultano altamente produttive permettendo all'alunno di non acquisire solo conoscenze, ma soprattutto abilità e competenze. Al fine di accrescere le opportunità di conoscenza e accendere l'interesse negli studenti, il PCTO, dal titolo "Global change, sostenibilità ambientale e Biodiversità", è stato programmato e realizzato attraverso una prima parte seminariale, un'esperienza teorico-pratica su campo (per prelevare campioni da analizzare) e una parte laboratoriale. Successivamente: i) una parte relativa a seminari teorico-pratici riguardante l'analisi statistica dei dati scientifici; ii) un gioco di ruolo finalizzato all'apprendimento collaborativo relativo dei concetti scientifici acquisiti ed, infine iii) una visita presso l'Osservatorio Regionale della Biodiversità Siciliano (ORBS) che è ospitato presso la struttura di Capo Granitola. Il personale scientifico ha rivestito un ruolo importante, delicato, di grossa responsabilità nell'accompagnare gli alunni in questo percorso di orientamento (PCTO) e affinché tutti gli alunni "imparassero ad imparare" nel modo per loro più corretto, hanno concordato nell'utilizzare diverse metodologie didattiche efficaci quali: interdisciplinarietà, utilizzo di parole chiavi, cooperative learning, didattica laboratoriale, peer education, problem solving, role playing, studio di caso, discussione, project work. Le metodologie didattiche utilizzate hanno consentito di valorizzare il potenziale di apprendimento

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

Visita all'Osservatorio della Biodiversità marina e terrestre della Regione Sicilia - ORBS

Con il taglio inaugurale del nastro il 16 dicembre 2015, prende vita la struttura museale permanente dell'Osservatorio della Biodiversità marina e terrestre della Regione Sicilia che porta lo stesso nome del Progetto di Ricerca "ORBS – Sistema di comunicazione, informazione e diffusione dell'Osservatorio Regionale della Sicilia", intitolata il 21 dicembre 2018 al Dott. Sandro Fiorelli. Ad oggi, la struttura, è operativa presso la Sede Secondaria dell'Istituto per lo studio degli impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IAS – CNR) di Capo Granitola. Il progetto ORBS, finanziato da Regione Siciliana - Assessorato alla Cooperazione, Commercio, Artigianato e Pesca - Dipartimento Pesca, con periodo di attività 2013 - 2015, si è concluso proprio con la realizzazione della struttura museale; l'Osservatorio è stato istituito dall'Assessorato del Territorio e dell'Ambiente della Regione Siciliana nell'ambito di un accordo quadro con ARPA, ISPRA e CNR. Grazie al progetto ORBS, docenti e allievi dell'Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo e il personale CNR – IAS (ex IAMC) S. S. di Capo Granitola, hanno collaborato sinergicamente permettendo di realizzare delle azioni didattiche e creative di valore scientifico espresse con straordinaria forza e bellezza. Ricercatori e professori si sono confrontati al fine di combinare le proprie competenze riuscendo nel progetto ambizioso di coinvolgere e fondere i diversi ambiti scientifici sensibilizzando gli artisti ai temi della Biodiversità. Le opere prodotte, corredate da schede scientifiche, hanno oltre al valore artistico un aggiunto valore didattico. L'apertura della sezione espositiva dedicata alla diffusione e alla comunicazione della biodiversità rappresenta da un lato l'importante tappa conclusiva del progetto, dall'altro l'inizio di un percorso mirato alla diffusione della biodiversità verso il mondo giovanile, le scuole e per tutto il territorio. Questa strepitosa collaborazione "CNR – Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo" conferma l'importanza e l'opportunità di unire arte e scienza per esaltare la percezione della ricerca scientifica da parte della comunità. La divulgazione della scienza è un'attività complessa e sicuramente necessita di competenze e attitudini multidisciplinari oltreché di motivazione ed entusiasmo. La comunicazione delle tematiche scientifiche, di per sé ardua nella traduzione al grande pubblico, grazie alla forza esplicativa dell'arte, diviene opportunità di riflessione, osservazione, confronto per le comunità di visitatori. Il coordinamento delle visite delle scuole di ogni ordine e grado, Enti Pubblici, Comunità Scientifica, Cariche Istituzionali, Delegazioni di Politici Italiani e Stranieri, Associazioni Culturali, Associazioni No-Profit di Volontariato, Associazioni di Promozione Sociale, Organizzazioni di Volontariato, Onlus, pubblico in generale, presso ORBS, è affidato al qualificato personale (tecnici, tecnologi e ricercatori) dell'IAS – CNR S. S. di Capo Granitola, che gestisce in prima persona i visitatori nel percorso didattico e promuove il valore della divulgazione scientifica perseguendo la terza missione degli Enti di Ricerca, attraverso l'applicazione diretta, la valorizzazione e l'impiego della conoscenza

Quantitative In Situ Diagnostik von Isocyansäure

Um ein besseres Verständnis der komplexen thermochemischen Vorgänge in technischen Prozessen zu erlangen, ist die zeitlich hochaufgelöste speziesselektive Konzentrationsbestimmung der beteiligten Gasphasenkomponenten essentiell. Oftmals werden hierzu extraktive Messtechniken eingesetzt. Diese haben den Nachteil, dass die Zeitauflösung durch Filtereffekte in den Gasleitungen und den Analysatoren limitiert ist. Des Weiteren kann die Konzentrationsbestimmung von reaktiven Spezies, aufgrund von Nachreaktionen in den Gasleitungen, nur mit sehr hohen Messunsicherheiten erfolgen. Verlässlichere und zeitlich höher aufgelöste Ergebnisse können durch in situ Messtechniken erreicht werden. Eine besonders robuste und bewährte Messtechnik ist die Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS). Mittels durchstimmbarer Diodenlaser werden spektral sehr schmal aber hoch aufgelöst Energieübergänge von Molekülen vermessen. Durch in Datenbanken hinterlegen Absorptionsliniendaten kann dem so detektierten Absorptionsspektrum eine Konzentration der Spezies zugeordnet werden. Die selektive katalytische Reduktion die in der Abgasnachbehandlung zur NOx-Reduktion eingesetzt wird ist ein solcher technischer Prozess. Hierbei ist Isocyansäure das kritische Zwischenprodukt bei der Synthese von Ammoniak aus Harnstoff. Aufgrund seiner hohen Reaktivität, vor allem mit Wasser, ist eine extraktive Messung dieses Stoffes kritisch. Eine orts- und zeitaufgelöste Messung würde zu einem besseren Verständnis des SCR-Prozesses beitragen und es ermöglichen diesen effizienter zu gestalten. Bis jetzt ist eine absorptionsspektroskopische Konzentrationsbestimmung von Isocyansäure mittels TDLAS nicht möglich, da keine Absorptionsliniendaten in Datenbanken vorliegen. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wird ein Spektrometer entwickelt, das erstmals in der Lage ist die Konzentration von Isocyansäure zeitlich hochaufgelöst, quantitativ und in situ zu bestimmen. Hierzu sind mehrere vorbereitende Schritte notwendig welche in dieser Arbeit umgesetzt wurden. Um Isocyansäure-Spektren zu detektieren muss ein Syntheseweg gefunden werden, der es erlaubt Isocyansäure möglichst in Reinform in einer inerten Trägergasmatrix zu untersuchen. Hierfür wurde die Sublimation und die katalysierte Thermolyse von Cyanursäure als Syntheseweg gewählt und detailliert untersucht. Auf Basis von massenspektroskopischen, thermogravimetrischen und infrarotspektroskopischen Untersuchungen konnte ein Verfahren zur Isocyansäure-Synthese entwickelt und in einem eigens konstruierten Prüfstand umgesetzt werden. Neben der Synthese von Isocyansäure wurde ein geeigneter Spektralbereich zur Isocyansäuredetektion mit einem Interband Cascade Laser (ICL) gefunden. Die Quantifizierung von Isocyansäure erfolgt indirekt durch die Summation aller vorhandenen Spezies. Da das aus Stickstoff bestehende Trägergas nicht infrarotaktiv ist musste zur Quantifizierung von diesem ein Indikatorgas genutzt werden. Aufgrund der spektroskopischen und chemischen Eigenschaften von Methan wurde dieses als Indikatorgas gewählt. Das entwickelte Spektrometer umfasst neben dem ICL noch weitere Laser zur Quantifizierung von Sekundärspezies (NH₃, H₂O und CO₂) die in geringen Konzentrationen bei der Synthese entstehen sowie ein Laser zur Quantifizierung von CH₄. Die vorherige breitbandige Untersuchung schließ das Vorhandensein von weiteren Spezies in der Gasphase aus. Es wurden in elf Temperaturstufen Spektren von Isocyansäure im Bereich von Raumtemperatur bis 400 °C aufgenommen. Nach einer umfassenden Analyse der Unsicherheiten sämtlicher Messwerte und deren Einfluss auf die Unsicherheit der Isocyansäurekonzentration kann den bei atmosphärischem Druck detektierten Isocyansäurespektren eine Konzentration zugeordnet werden. Zusätzlich wurden zu jeder untersuchten Temperatur noch Unterdruckspektren in sieben Stufen bis 10 mbar aufgenommen. Basierend auf den Spektren mit bekannter Konzentration, bekanntem Druck und bekannter Temperatur wird ein Modell entwickelt, welches es erlaubt auch unbekannte Isocyansäure-Spektren auszuwerten. Hierzu wurde ein semiphysikalischer Ansatz gewählt. Basierend auf dem Ansatz des Indirekt-Hard-Modelling (IHM) wurde ein Algorithmus entwickelt, der einzelne Absorptionslinien identifiziert und deren Konzentration-, Temperatur- und Druckabhängigkeit abbildet. Das entwickelte Spektrometer ist zusammen mit dem Algorithmus ist in der Lage innerhalb des untersuchten Parameterraumes Isocyansäurespektren in situ aufzunehmen und quantitativ auszuwerten

Widening agreement processing: a matter of time, features and distance

Existing psycholinguistic models typically describe agreement relations as monolithic phenomena amounting to mechanisms that check mere feature consistency. This eye-tracking study aimed at widening this perspective by investigating the time spent reading subject-verb (number, person) and adverb-verb (tense) violations on an inflected verb during sentence comprehension in Spanish. Results suggest that (i) distinct processing mechanisms underlie the analysis of subject-verb and adverb-verb relations, (ii) the parser is sensitive to the different interpretive properties that characterise the person, number and tense features encoded in the verb (i.e. anchoring to discourse for person and tense interpretation, as opposed to anchoring to cardinality information for number), and (iii) the (local, distal) position of the agreement controller with respect to the verb affects the interpretation of these dependencies. An account is proposed that capitalises on the importance of enriching current sentence processing formalizations using a feature and relation-based approach