Postfazione

Commento al testo ed indicazione delle prospettive di ricerca aperte dal lavoro di Pidal\ue0

The Experiences of Secondary Social Studies Teachers With Historical Thinking Skills

In this descriptive, mixed methods study, the researcher investigated secondary social studies teachers\u27 college course experiences with and classroom use of historical thinking skills (HTS). Questionnaires were distributed to 160 teachers in a large public school system in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Forty percent of the questionnaires were returned. From the 40%, a purposeful sample was created. Observations, interviews, and analysis of instructional documents were used to gather data from the purposeful sample. The results showed that high school social studies teachers reported a range of experiences with and use of HTS. Teachers reported more exposure to HTS in content courses than in methods courses. Teachers reported differences in experiences based on years of teaching experience and degree. The majority of teachers reported limited exposure to and use of explicit instruction. They reported using a variety of sources in their classrooms. Overall, the responses to the open-ended items suggested that teachers used HTS in college courses to varying degrees, they included sources in their lessons, and they desired specific training related to FITS and their teaching assignments. Both the interviews and observations produced evidence of HTS. During the interviews teachers reported more exposure to HTS in content courses as opposed to methods courses. They also described different activities that they include in their lessons that address I ITS. The classroom observations indicated that teachers incorporated diverse sources into their lessons. Teachers used questioning techniques to involve students with critical analysis of source material. Overall, teachers experienced and used corroboration and contextualization more so than sourcing or explicit instruction

Elastic properties of sand-peat moss mixtures from ultrasonic measurements

Effective remediation of an environmental site requires extensive knowledge of the geologic setting, as well as the amount and distribution of contaminants. Seismic investigations provide a means to examine the subsurface with minimum disturbance, Laboratory measurements are needed to interpret field data. In this experiment, laboratory tests were performed to characterize manufactured soil samples in terms of their elastic properties. The soil samples consisted of small (mass) percentages (1 to 20 percent) of peat moss mixed with pure quartz sand. Sand was chosen as the major component because its elastic properties are well known except at the lowest pressures. The ultrasonic pulse transmission technique was used to collect elastic wave velocity data. These data were analyzed and mathematically processed to calculate the other elastic properties such as the modulus of elasticity. This experiment demonstrates that seismic data are affected by the amount~of peat moss added to pure sand samples. Elastic wave velocities, velocity gradients, and elastic moduli vary with pressure and peat moss amounts. In particular, ultrasonic response changes dramatically when pore space fills with peat. With some further investigation, the information gathered in this experiment could be applied to seismic field research

Alpine gullies system evolution : erosion drivers and control factors. Two examples from the western Italian Alps

Denudation processes affecting mountain slopes may vary according to different factors (e.g., lithology and structural setting of bedrock, climate, relief features), which may be very diverse at the local scale. Gully complex systems, characterised by morphological features similar to those developing in other climate contexts (i.e., pseudo-badlands) are also becoming common at higher altitudes and latitudes. The selected study cases of Gran Gorgia (Susa Valley) and Saint Nicolas (Aosta Valley), in the Western Italian Alps, are sites of geomorphological interest as they are specifically relevant for their scientific features. The aims of this work are (i) reconstructing the morphometric evolution of gully systems and vegetation colonisation time by means of multitemporal spatial analysis on surface morphological changes under water erosion; (ii) reconstructing in detail, through dendrogeomorphological analysis, the progressive spatial surface denudation and changes in erosion rates, by analysing trees and exposed roots and using different indicators (i.e., compression wood, traumatic resin ducts); (iii) obtaining data on successive aggradation/degradation episodes along slopes surrounding such hotspots through geopedological investigations; and (iv) identifying which control factors exert a predominant role on denudation patterns in such contexts. Multidisciplinary analyses regarding the study sites allowed for detailing of erosional history of the studied slopes detecting the prevailing drivers of their evolution. According to the results and considering the common climate and bedrock conditions, the structural background seems to have more influence on slope evolution at the Saint Nicolas site, while superficial geomorphic processes seem to be more relevant at the Gran Gorgia site. Because the sites have already been recognised as part of geoheritage by local authorities, the data obtained in the present research on their genesis, evolution, and local drivers affecting the rates of denudation (i.e., scientific relevance of the site) suggests that description of the sites for dissemination purposes should include links to the entire slope history

Floral Resources and Nesting Requirements of the Ground-Nesting Social Bee, Lasioglossum malachurum (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), in a Mediterranean Semiagricultural Landscape

In order to adopt correct conservation strike plans to maintain bee pollination activity it is necessary to know the species' resource utilisation and requirements. We investigated the floral resources and the nesting requirements of the eusocial beeLasioglossum malachurumKirby at various sites in a Mediterranean landscape. Analysis of bees' pollen loads showed that Compositae was the more exploited family, although interpopulations differences appeared in the pollen types used. From 5 to 7 pollen types were used by bees, but only as few as 1–1.9 per load. Variations of the pollen spectrum through the annual nesting cycle were conspicuous. At all sites, bees nested in horizontal ground areas with high soil hardness, low acidity, and rare superficial stones. On the other side, the exploited soil was variable in soil granulometry (although always high in % of silt or sand) and it was moderately variable in content of organic matter and highly variable in vegetation cover. Creation of ground patches with these characteristics in proximity of both cultivated and natural flowering fields may successfully promote colonization of new areas by this bee

Self-aware trader: a new approach to safer trading

Traders are required to work in the financial market with highly complex information and to perform efficiently under high levels of psychological pressure. Multiple disciplines, from programs with artificial intelligence to complex mathematical functions, are used to help traders in their effort to maximize profits. However, an essential problem not yet considered in this rapidly evolving environment is that traders are not supported to adequately manage how stress influences their decisions. This paper takes into consideration the negative influences of stress on individuals and proposes a system designed to support traders by providing them with information that can reduce the likelihood of poor decision-making. The system has been designed considering both technical and physiological aspects to make information available in a suitable way. Biometric sensors are used to collect data associated with stress, a software platform then analyses this information and displays it to the trader. The resulting system is capable of making individual traders, as well as teams of traders, self-aware of their levels of stress. The system has been tested in real environments and the results provide evidence that self-aware traders benefit from the system by reducing risky decision-making

Paleosuoli tipo terra rossa al margine prealpino. Il caso di studio del Monte Casto (Val Sabbia -Brescia)

L\u2019area della Val Sabbia, nel suo tratto prealpino, \ue8 caratterizzata dalla presenza di una paleosuperficie su cui si sviluppano suoli di tipo Terra Rossa, spesso costituiti da coltri colluviate e, solo in particolari situazioni, conservati in posto. Il profilo in esame \ue8 stato identificato e descritto sulle pendici del Monte Casto, un piccolo rilievo calcareo che raggiunge i 400 m di quota. Il profilo \ue8 costituito da due unit\ue0 pedologiche distinte che vanno a formare un profilo composito: l\u2019unit\ue0 profonda \ue8 un paleosuolo fersiallitico in posto, tipo Terra Rossa, mentre quella superficiale mostra le caratteristiche di una successione di pi\uf9 coltri di loess pedogenizzate. Le due unit\ue0 sono state distinte in base alle loro caratteristiche micromorfologiche, chimiche e fisiche, e attraverso parametri e indici che ne hanno evidenziato il diverso grado di sviluppo morfologico e di espressione della pedogenesi: conseguenze, queste ultime, di un profondo cambiamento ambientale che ha interessato l\u2019area in esame durante la sua storia geologica pi\uf9 recente.The Prealpine reach of the Val Sabbia is characterised by the presence of a paleosurface strictly associated to the development of Terra Rossa type soils. They are often constituted by colluviated blankets of soil material and, only in particular situations, preserved in place. The described soil profile has been identified on the slopes of Mount Casto (a limestone plateau 400 m high). The profile is composed of two different pedologic units: the deeper one is a Terra Rossa fersiallitic paleosol in place, while the upper one is a soil developed from some loess blankets. The two units can be identified on the basis of their micromorphological, chemical and physical characteristics and, above all, using indexes and parameters enhancing their different degree of morphological development and of pedogenetic expression; the latter due to a paleoenvironmental change affecting the study area during its recent geological history