Insegnare l'italiano per fini specifici : motivazione e apprendimento cooperativo

The purpose of this communication is to situate cooperative language learning and teaching in the sphere of foreign language education, specially of the Italian as second language to students of a Management School. The concepts of collaborative or cooperative learning have emerged in the last fifteen years, incorporating principles of learner-centrededness into programs. With regard to this point, the aim is to motivate the students of technical schools or colleges to learn the L2 for their future jobs. One of the basic teaching techniques associated with cognitive theory is based on activities related to the learners' subject specialization. Yet, this is not enough to motivate young students to improve the four traditional skills in the target language. So, in the classroom of a foreign language for specific purposes, teacher can link the various methodological approaches with cooperative learning in small groups, to increase the awareness about learning, and about language, and to implement an integrative motivation. The collaborative efforts to work together in the classroom, with the students organized in structured teams, involve and encourage to develop metacommunicative as well as communicative skills

Pollione - market analysis and growth strategy

First part of the project describes the analysis carried out to locate the best markets to operate in and the strategies to be adopted, both on the side of competition and on the side of conducting our business. It shows the potential of the market, the countries in which we intend to operate and our positioning with respect to competitors, which leads to the definition of the role we want to play. While the second part shows our growth strategies and further expansion opportunities by capturing new potential markets

Cellular functions of the kinase-coupled TRPM6/TRPM7 channels

TRPM6 and TRPM7 are bifunctional proteins containing an ion channel segment covalently linked to a kinase domain. Both proteins function as divalent cation-selective channels highly permeable to Mg2+ and Ca2+, whose activity is regulated by intracellular levels of Mg2+ and Mg•ATP. TRPM7 has been found in all mammalian cells investigated so far, while expression of TRPM6 is restricted to epithelial cells of the kidney, intestine and placenta. TRPM6 and TRPM7 have been proposed to be required for cellular Mg2+ homeostasis. However, the exact role of TRPM7 in the regulation of Mg2+ metabolism remains poorly understood and discussed controversially. Loss-of-function mutations in the human TRPM6 gene give rise to an autosomal recessive disorder called hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcemia (HSH). It has been suggested that in epithelial cells TRPM6 functions primarily as a constituent of heteromeric TRPM6/M7 channel complexes, but this concept has not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, the main goal of this work was to define the cellular function of TRPM6 and TRPM7 in cells either expressing only TRPM7 or co-expressing both proteins, TRPM6 and TRPM7. In the first line of our experiments, we generated and functionally characterized three different cell lines deficient in TRPM7 such as mouse trophoblast stem (TS) cells, human haploid leukaemia (HAP1) cells and primary isolated mouse megakaryocytes (MKs). Using the patch-clamp approach, we showed that all three cell lines lacked endogenous TRPM7 divalent cation-selective currents. We also found that TRPM7 deficient TS and HAP1 cells developed Mg2+ deficiency and growth arrest, which could be rescued by increased levels of Mg2+ in the culture medium. TRPM7 deficient MKs were viable but exhibited reduced Mg2+ contents and impaired proplatelet formation. Similar to TS and HAP1 cells, the changes in MKs were reversed by Mg2+ supplementation. We concluded that the TRPM7 channel controls the cellular Mg2+ uptake necessary for the cell proliferation. To get insights into the cellular role of the native TRPM6 protein, we generated TRPM6 deficient TS cells. We observed that, in contrast to TRPM7 KO TS cells, TRPM6 deficient TS cells were able to proliferate in a medium not fortified by additional Mg2+. Furthermore, the currents in TRPM6 KO TS cells were reduced and more sensitive to cytosolic Mg•ATP compared to the WT TS cells. These findings are in line with the notion that endogenous TRPM6 functions as a subunit of heteromeric TRPM6/M7 channel complexes, where TRPM6 potentiate Mg2+ currents due to offset of the inhibitory effect of Mg•ATP. Our experiments with the endogenous TRPM6 and TRPM7 channels were further verified using recombinant TRPM6 and TRPM7 proteins overexpressed in HEK 293 cells. We observed that the recombinant TRPM6 and TRPM7 channels contribute differently to the functional characteristics of the heteromeric TRPM6/M7 channels mimicking the situation with TS cells lacking endogenous TRPM6. Most remarkably, we found that association of TRPM6 with TRPM7 results in large TRPM6/M7 currents insensitive to cytosolic levels of Mg•ATP. Taken together, we conclude that ubiquitously expressed TRPM7 is required for the cellular uptake of Mg2+ and that this function cannot be compensated by TRPM6. Association of TRPM6 in heteromeric TRPM6/M7 channel complexes allows to maintain a high rate of Mg2+ uptake in transporting epithelial cells

PHYSIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS AND PHYSICAL MATCH ACTIVITIES IN BASKETBALL

Introduction: Players\u2019 anthropometrical and physiological characteristics play a key role for basketball success. Despite several studies investigating the physical profile of basketball players of different competitive levels, geographical locations, gender and ages, the studies comparing anthropometrical and physiological characteristics, and their seasonal changes, among male adult players competing at different playing levels are still limited. In addition, data regarding activity demands of European adult basketball competitions at various competitive levels is yet unknown. The aims of this thesis are 1) to describe the physical profile of Italian adult male basketball players of different competitive levels across an entire basketball season and 2) to examine the differences in the activity demands of basketball games between different competitive levels. Study 1: This investigation examined the anthropometrical and physiological differences in adult male basketball players of different competitive levels (from elite to amateur) and playing roles (Guards, Forwards and Centres) during the competitive phase of the season. Results revealed that a high force and power production and the ability to sustain high-intensity intermittent exercises should be considered as important characteristics for success in basketball and to compete at higher level. In addition, this study provided normative data of anthropometric and physiological characteristics of basketball players according to their playing positions. Study 2: This study compared the training load indices and the changes in physical fitness between professional and semi-professional adult male basketball players during the preparation period. In addition, the relationships between training load indices and changes in physical fitness level were investigated. Professional players underwent a greater training load compared to semi-professional players, however, in some extent, similar physical fitness improvements were observed between the two groups. The results raise doubts on the effectiveness of using high training load and training volume during the preparation period to improve the physical fitness level of players. Study 3: This study investigated the changes induced by the preparation period on selected neuromuscular variables (i.e. vertical jump and change of direction (COD) ability) among professional and semi-professional adult male basketball players. In addition, this research investigated the relationships between training load indices and changes in neuromuscular physical performance during the preparation period. The preparation period induced minimal changes in the CMJ, while the ability to sustain repeated COD efforts was improved. Reaching high training loads might partially and negatively affect the ability to produce strength and power. Study 4: This investigation examined the differences among adult male basketball players of different competitive levels (from elite to amateur) and the changes over an entire basketball season of peripheral neuromuscular functions (PNF) of knee extensor muscles (KE) measured following a standardized repeated CODs exercises. Results demonstrate how elite and professional basketball players are characterized by better PNF and by less fatigue levels following repeated CODs runs compared to lower level counterparts. The majority of changes in PNF following CODs exercises occurs after the preparation period, when the KEs appear to be less fatigable. Study 5: This study examined the changes in several physical fitness parameters of adult male basketball players of different competitive levels (from elite to semi-professional) over an entire basketball season. In general, the preparation period appears to minimally affect variables measured during vertical jump test but enhance the aerobic fitness and the ability to sustain high-intensity intermittent exercise. The changes in physical performance during the competitive phase of the season seem to be affected by the competitive level of play. Study 6: This investigation examined the differences in the activity demands of official basketball games between different competitive levels (from elite to amateur) among a large sample of adult male players. The main results demonstrated different intermittent profiles among competitive levels, with elite players performing at increased high and moderate intensities and amateur players utilising longer recovery periods during competition. The game activity demands of professional and semi-professional players were similar. This study provided normative match activity data for Italian basketball tournaments. Conclusion: This thesis provides insight into the activity demands of Italian basketball tournaments and the anthropometrical and physiological characteristics of basketball players across an entire basketball season, highlighting the differences among the various competitive levels of play. In addition, this thesis provides novel insight into the relationships between training load and changes in physical fitness in basketball

Comparative test results of various beam loss monitors in preparation for LHC

Beam loss detectors will play an important role in the protection of the superconducting LHC magnets. Different types of detectors have been tested in the SPS ring and secondary beam lines with a view to their possible use for this application. This paper describes the measurements made with: microcalorimeters at cryogenic temperatures, PIN diodes, ionisation chambers, scintillators, and ACEMs. Measurements made using proton beams showing their relative sensitivities, linearities in counting or analog mode and minimum detection level will be presented

The freedom to be sustainable, from the past to the future

This study aims to investigate the historical evolution of the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR), with a particular focus on the main theories and events that led it to no longer be a voluntary choice but a necessity for the company’s long-term survival. The article will first analyze the main definitions in the literature to determine the aspects that characterize it. Subsequently, using a theoretical approach, a literature review will be performed to describe its historical evolution, starting from its birth during the Industrial Revolution period (1760-1840) up to the present day. The analysis results show that, in the scientific debate, the CSR concept was initially focused on the workers’ well-being and, subsequently, it expanded its scope and significance to include all stakeholders’ categories. Furthermore, it emerged that CSR become a necessity for the companies’ long-term survival, especially in the post-pandemic period. For this reason, companies must develop new business models to face sustainability issues and meet social needs