R-impersonal interpretation in Italian Sign Language (LIS)

In this paper, we examine agent backgrounding in Italian Sign Language (LIS). Specifically, we are interested in identifying and describing the strategies used by LIS signers to reduce referentiality. On the basis of low-referential contexts (cf. questionnaire in the Introduction chapter), we recorded target sentences containing potential markers of agent backgrounding and asked three LIS native signers to provide felicity judgments on them using a 7-point scale. We discuss agent-backgrounding strategies of different types: (i) manual, (ii) non-manual, and (iii) syntactic. Overall, our study shows that the combination of raised eyebrows and mouth-corners down associated with the existential quantifier someone and the sign person makes the agent-backgrounding reading more prominent. Other strategies that can be used in LIS to reduce referentiality are free relatives, perspective shift, and null subject. We also investigate in more detail the semantic status of someone, person, and the null subject through well-established tests from the literature

Group-blind detection with very large antenna arrays in the presence of pilot contamination

Massive MIMO is, in general, severely affected by pilot contamination. As opposed to traditional detectors, we propose a group-blind detector that takes into account the presence of pilot contamination. While sticking to the traditional structure of the training phase, where orthogonal pilot sequences are reused, we use the excess antennas at each base station to partially remove interference during the uplink data transmission phase. We analytically derive the asymptotic SINR achievable with group-blind detection, and confirm our findings by simulations. We show, in particular, that in an interference-limited scenario with one dominant interfering cell, the SINR can be doubled compared to non-group-blind detection.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

As strong as an NPI in LSF, NGT and LIS

Negative polarity items emerge from the interaction between some propertiesof the semantic module of human language and its lexicon. This leads tothe expectation that they should be equally common in spoken and sign language,contrary to what has been documented. We describe the sign UNTIL in French SignLanguage, Italian Sign Language and Sign Language of the Netherlands. We showthat under its punctual reading, UNTIL behaves as a strong negative polarity item,just like English until. We also discuss why more prototypical cases of polarityitems like any or ever are much harder to find in sign languag

Stump appendicitis. A case report

AbstractIntroductionToday, the diagnosis of SA is usually not considered as the etiology for right lower quadrant pain in patient with history of appendectomy, resulting in delaying making the correct diagnosis and treatment. Obviously, other more common causes should be excluded first.DiscussionStump appendicitis (SA) was first described by Rose in 1945. The commonest presenting symptom are abdominal pain (right lower quadrant pain 59%, non specific abdominal pain 16%, and central abdominal pain radiating to the right lower quadrant 14%).Presentation of caseA 54-year-old appendectomized woman presented with recent history of abdominal pain with periumbilical pain radiating to the right side and in the right iliac fossa, in the absence of fever, vomiting or other symptoms.Elective colonoscopy revealed appendicular orifice clogged by big fecalith, with hyperemic surrounding mucosa and CT confirmed “stump appendicitis”. After 30 days of therapy with metronidazole 500mg/day and mesalazine 1000mg×2/day, the patient was submitted to surgery and appendectomy was performed, with a specimen of 24mm stump appendicitis.ConclusionSA may well be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of acute right lower abdominal pain even in patients with history of appendicectomy

The syntax of nominal modification in Italian Sign Language (LIS)

International audienc

Retrospective analysis of management of ingested foreign bodies and food impactions in emergency endoscopic setting in adults

Background: Ingestion of foreign bodies and food impaction represent the second most common endoscopic emergency after bleeding. The aim of this paper is to report the management and the outcomes in 67 patients admitted for suspected ingestion of foreign body between December 2012 and December 2014. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Palermo University Hospitals, Italy, over a 2-year period. We reviewed patients’ database (age, sex, type of foreign body and its anatomical location, treatments, and outcomes as complications, success rates, and mortalities). Results: Foreign bodies were found in all of our 67 patients. Almost all were found in the stomach and lower esophagus (77 %). The types of foreign body were very different, but they were chiefly meat boluses, fishbones or cartilages, button battery and dental prostheses. In all patients it was possible to endoscopically remove the foreign body. Complications related to the endoscopic procedure were unfrequent (about 7 %) and have been treated conservatively. 5.9 % of patients had previous esophageal or laryngeal surgery, and 8.9 % had an underlying esophageal disease, such as a narrowing, dismotility or achalasia. Conclusion: Our experience with foreign bodies and food impaction emphasizes the importance of endoscopic approach and removal, simple and secure when performed by experienced hands and under conscious sedation in most cases. High success rates, lower incidence of minor complications, reduction of the need of surgery and reduced hospitalization time are the strengths of the endoscopic approach

Access to Knowledge. The Issue of Deaf Students and More

Language and communication barriers undermine everyday life for deaf people. In particular in higher education settings, these students often receive limited information and thus struggle to gain full access to knowledge. Considering these linguistic issues from several perspectives, this paper highlights some of the problems that arise in the everyday life of deaf students. Possible short- and long-term solutions to these barriers are presented and discussed. For example, simplified written texts ensure clarity and immediate access to complex and technical texts, but only provide one step toward linguistic autonomy. Linguistic mediation through sign language guarantees both direct access to content and personal involvement in interactive settin

On the cardinal system in Italian Sign Language (LIS)

This paper offers a comprehensive discussion of the cardinal system of Italian Sign Language (LIS). At the lexical level, we present the different formational strategies used to generate cardinal numerals and we provide evidence that in the younger generations of signers, the sign ONE has lost the function of indefinite determiner and is now used as cardinal only. At the syntactic level, we show that the attested variation in order between the cardinal and the noun is in part due to definiteness and contrastive focus. We account for this variation within the cartographic approach to syntax. Finally, we offer a principled explanation for the reason why cardinals inside Measure Phrases are not subject to word order variation, but always precede the measure noun