The Experience of Using a New e-Learning Tool in Architectural Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of e-Learning technologies as an alternative to classical face-to-face teaching. Teachers have had to quickly adapt to virtual technologies and transform their material to online content in order to minimise the impact on students' education. In studies such as Architecture, where visual and graphical representations are fundamental, such an adaptation is challenging. The aim of this paper is to evaluate a new e-learning methodology in architectural studies by using SAPIENS, a specifically designed e-learning platform with content creation tools and automatic correction. This platform was used to create an e-learning course on building systems. To evaluate and measure the effectiveness and acceptance of the proposed methodology in architectural education, an experiment with 108 students was carried out. Participants were divided into two homogeneous groups, G1 and G2, and only G1 was given access to the e-learning platform to take the course. The results were obtained by means of pre- and posttesting and a questionnaire. Significant differences were found between pre- and posttest scores, and nearly significant differences were found between the posttest scores of G1 and G2. The mean of all questionnaire scores exceeded 3.5 on a five-point Likert scale except for one question. G1 rated better overall, and there were no significant differences by age, degree, subject or e-learning experience. Teacher's opinion was very satisfactory as well. Therefore, the proposed methodology, with high image interaction and adapted to all participant profiles, helps in the process of learning and is highly accepted by learners, specially those who are engaged. © 2022 IEEE

Petro-archaeometric characterization of kiln pottery wastes from Adrano, Sicily

....

The Aging Imageomics Study: rationale, design and baseline characteristics of the study population

Biomarkers of aging are urgently needed to identify individuals at high risk of developing age-associated disease or disability. Growing evidence from population-based studies points to whole-body magnetic resonance imaging's (MRI) enormous potential for quantifying subclinical disease burden and for assessing changes that occur with aging in all organ systems. The Aging Imageomics Study aims to identify biomarkers of human aging by analyzing imaging, biopsychosocial, cardiovascular, metabolomic, lipidomic, and microbiome variables. This study recruited 1030 participants aged >= 50 years (mean 67, range 50-96 years) that underwent structural and functional MRI to evaluate the brain, large blood vessels, heart, abdominal organs, fat, spine, musculoskeletal system and ultrasonography to assess carotid intima-media thickness and plaques. Patients were notified of incidental findings detected by a certified radiologist when necessary. Extensive data were also collected on anthropometrics, demographics, health history, neuropsychology, employment, income, family status, exposure to air pollution and cardiovascular status. In addition, several types of samples were gathered to allow for microbiome, metabolomic and lipidomic profiling. Using big data techniques to analyze all the data points from biological phenotyping together with health records and lifestyle measures, we aim to cultivate a deeper understanding about various biological factors (and combinations thereof) that underlie healthy and unhealthy aging.Cardiovascular Aspects of Radiolog