Report tecnico – BioQuestionario e BioScoperta Applicazioni mobili per imparare giocando

L’informazione in campo ambientale assume un’importanza fondamentale in relazione all’obiettivo di accrescere il livello di consapevolezza e di sensibilità in relazione al concetto di ambiente, sia al fine di promuovere comportamenti coerenti con il principio di sviluppo sostenibile, sia per contribuire allo sviluppo di una responsabilità individuale e collettiva. Le tecnologie mobili nascono e si evolvono a partire dalla necessità dell’uomo di espandere i propri limiti e dall’esigenza di avere la possibilità di comunicare e accedere alle informazioni in maniera diretta e immediata. L'utilizzo di dispositivi mobili, quali smartphone e tablet, è in netta crescita in tutte le categorie di utenza e nei differenti contesti sociali. Possedere un dispositivo mobile dotato di accesso alla rete internet permette di avere il sapere a portata di mano e di comunicare con utenti in tutto il modo senza barriere fisiche e temporali. Inoltre, possono essere strumenti di grande aiuto, sia nel campo lavorativo che nel tempo libero, grazie all’utilizzo di innumerevoli applicazioni create ad hoc per l'acquisizione di informazioni e la loro fruizione. L’aspirazione del progetto, inserito nel Sistema di Comunicazione, Informazione e Diffusione dell’Osservatorio della Biodiversità della Sicilia, è la realizzazione di una applicazione che permetta ai visitatori di approfondire e consolidare i luoghi e forme della conoscenza offerti, durante la visita dell’Osservatorio della Biodiversità Regione Sicilia, dal personale qualificato rivestito dalle figure di ricercatori e tecnologi dell’IAMC CNR della sede di Capo Granitola. Gli scopi principali sono la comunicazione, l’informazione e l’educazione per lo sviluppo di conoscenze e sensibilità sul tema della Biodiversità per spronare gli utenti alla salvaguardia del territorio, rendendo facilmente accessibile l’approfondimento dei concetti riguardanti numerose specie e habitat del nostro territorio, attraverso una dimensione scientifica di stampo ludico.

Bollettino on-line del progetto Ritmare

Il progetto all’interno del quale si è inserita l' attività "La scienza del Mare nelle scuole" è il Progetto Ritmare (La Ricerca Italiana per il Mare). Il progetto Ritmare è un progetto strategico per la ricerca sul mare in Italia, che vuole coniugare le risorse ambientali del mare con l’uso connesso alle attività produttive e allo sfruttamento energetico delle sue risorse, sviluppando tecnologie ed innovazione e, al tempo stesso, promuovendone la sua conoscenza e il rispetto. In tale contesto il progetto propone di sensibilizzare gli studenti delle scuole di primo e secondo grado alle scienze del mare, sperimentando un approccio multidisciplinare che unisca il mondo scientifico e tecnologico a quello didattico, attraverso l'uso di strumenti di comunicazione che vadano dalle forme artistiche ed espressive a quelle prettamente tecnologiche e multimediali.

Kuudesluokkalaisten kokemuksia arvioinnista ja arvosanoista

Arviointiin liittyvää kritiikkiä esitettäessä unohdetaan helposti joukko, johon arviointi kohdistuu. Lasten mielipiteiden huomioiminen kasvatustyössä on tärkeää mutta haasteellista. Arviointi on pohjimmiltaan ihmissuhdetoimintaa, jossa opettajan ja oppilaan välinen vuorovaikutus on keskeinen tekijä. Oppilaan käsitys omasta osaamisestaan muodostuu monen tekijän vaikutuksesta. Opettajan tehtävänä on antaa oppilaalle ohjaavaa ja kannustavaa palautetta edistymisestä sekä realistista tietoa osaamisesta. Arviointityötä ohjaavat opetussuunnitelman ohella opettajan oma kasvatus- ja oppimiskäsitys, koulun arviointikulttuuri sekä yhteiskunnan normit ja odotukset. Arviointikulttuurin tutkiminen voi paljastaa nykyään toteutuvan arvioinnin vahvuuksia ja kehittämistarpeita. Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan oppilaiden kokemuksia arvioinnista. Tutkimuksessa ollaan kiinnostuneita nykyisestä arviointikulttuurista verrattuna uuden Perusopetuksen opetussuunnitelman perusteiden (2014) vaatimuksiin. Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan, pitävätkö oppilaat saamiaan arvosanoja osaamistaan vastaavina ja kokevatko oppilaat arviointiperusteiden olevan heille selvät. Lisäksi tutkitaan, miten oppilaat kokevat hyvien arvosanojen saamisen tärkeyden. Tutkimusjoukko koostuu seitsemän länsisuomalaisen peruskoulun kuudennen luokan oppilaista (N=202). Oppilaiden arviointiin liittyviä käsityksiä ja kokemuksia mitattiin tähän tutkimukseen kehitetyllä kyselylomakkeella. Tutkimuksen lähestymistapa on sekä kvantitatiivinen että kvalitatiivinen. Tutkimus on tyypiltään kuvaileva survey-tutkimus. Tulokset osoittavat, että lähes kaikki oppilaat ansaitsisivat mielestään ainakin jostain oppiaineesta eri arvosanan kuin sen, jonka he ovat saaneet todistukseen. Erityisesti äidinkielen kohdalla tyttöjen ja poikien välillä on merkitsevä ero, sillä selvästi tyttöjä suurempi osa pojista arvioi osaamisensa saamaansa arvosanaa paremmaksi. Lisäksi taito- ja taideaineiden kohdalla oppilaat olivat vielä useammin kuin lukuaineiden kohdalla sitä mieltä, että he ansaitsisivat vähintään yhdessä tutkitussa oppiaineessa saamaansa paremman arvosanan. Oppilaat uskoivat useimmiten tietävänsä arvosanaan vaikuttavat asiat. Hyvien arvosanojen saaminen on suurimmalle osalle oppilaista tärkeää tulevaisuuden takia. Oppilaiden vastausten perusteella nykyarvioinnissa on Perusopetuksen opetussuunnitelman perusteiden (2014) arvioinnin vaatimuksiin nähden puutteita. Tulokset viittaavat siihen, että arviointiin ja arvosanoihin liittyvät erilaiset mielipiteet opettajien ja oppilaiden välillä ovat hyvin yleisiä. Vaikka oppilaiden näkemyksiä pyritään huomioimaan muun muassa itsearviointia käyttämällä, saatua tietoa ei välttämättä hyödynnetä oikealla tavalla. Peruskoulussa toteutettavaa oppilasarviointia tulee jatkuvasti kehittää muuttuvien vaatimusten mukana.

A New Mouse Model That Spontaneously Develops Chronic Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis

Here we characterize a new animal model that spontaneously develops chronic inflammation and fibrosis in multiple organs, the non-obese diabetic inflammation and fibrosis (N-IF) mouse. In the liver, the N-IF mouse displays inflammation and fibrosis particularly evident around portal tracts and central veins and accompanied with evidence of abnormal intrahepatic bile ducts. The extensive cellular infiltration consists mainly of macrophages, granulocytes, particularly eosinophils, and mast cells. This inflammatory syndrome is mediated by a transgenic population of natural killer T cells (NKT) induced in an immunodeficient NOD genetic background. The disease is transferrable to immunodeficient recipients, while polyclonal T cells from unaffected syngeneic donors can inhibit the disease phenotype. Because of the fibrotic component, early on-set, spontaneous nature and reproducibility, this novel mouse model provides a unique tool to gain further insight into the underlying mechanisms mediating transformation of chronic inflammation into fibrosis and to evaluate intervention protocols for treating conditions of fibrotic disorders.

Perhonjoen ja Kälviänjoen vesistöalueen vesienhoidon toimenpideohjelma 2016-2021

Vesienhoidon keskeisenä tavoitteena on estää jokien, järvien ja rannikkovesien sekä pohjavesien tilan heikkeneminen sekä pyrkiä kaikkien vesien vähintään hyvään tilaan. Erinomaisiksi tai hyviksi arvioitujen vesien tilaa ei saa heikentää. Tavoitteen saavuttamiseksi suunnitellaan ja toteutetaan vesien tilaa parantavia toimenpiteitä ja seurataan niiden vaikutuksia. Vesienhoidossa otetaan huomioon myös merenhoidon, tulvariskien hallinnan sekä luonnonsuojelun tavoitteet. Vesienhoitoa suunnitellaan vesienhoitoalueittain, joita on Manner-Suomessa seitsemän. Vesienhoitoalue muodostuu yhdestä tai useammasta vesistöalueesta. Perhonjoen ym. toimenpidealue kuuluu Kokemäenjoen-Saaristo-meren-Selkämeren vesienhoitoalueeseen. Vesienhoidon suunnittelu etenee kuuden vuoden jaksoissa. Ensimmäiset vuoteen 2015 ulottuvat toimenpideohjelmat laadittiin laajassa yhteistyössä vuosien 2008–2009 aikana. Lisätietoa vesienhoidosta ja vesienhoidon järjestämisestä vesienhoitoalueella on saatavilla osoitteessa www.ymparisto.fi/lantinenvesienhoitoalue sekä Kokemäenjoen - Saaristomeren – Selkämeren vesienhoitoalueen vesienhoitosuunnitelmasta. Vesienhoitosuunnitelmassa esitellään tarkemmin vesienhoitoon liittyvä lainsäädäntö ja vesienhoitoon liittyvät muut suunnitelmat ja strategiat. Lisäksi vesienhoitosuunnitelmassa on tehty koko vesienhoitoaluetta koskava vaihtoehtotarkastelu vesienhoidon toimenpiteistä.

Low dose gemcitabine-loaded lipid nanocapsules target monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells and potentiate cancer immunotherapy

International audience

Denominações de origem e indicações geográficas na tradução vitivinícola: problemas terminológicos

O objetivo desta dissertação é examinar problemas terminológicos e a importância da preparação e pesquisa terminológica na tradução especializada. O tema escolhido é a tradução de documentação sobre as Denominações de Origem e Indicações Geográficas dos vinhos portugueses, nomeadamente dos vinhos da Região do Dão. Começa-se por apresentar no Capítulo I uma introdução às Denominações de Origem e as classificações utilizadas para vinhos portugueses. No Capítulo II estudamos os problemas mais comuns dos recursos tradutológicos, contemplando a preparação e a pesquisa terminológica que devem anteceder o processo de tradução, discutindo a bibliografia relevante e caraterizando o corpus de análise. No Capítulo III discutimos os recursos para a tradução vitivinícola. No Capítulo IV contemplamos os problemas de tradução nos documentos escolhidos para a tradução e as suas soluções. Finalmente, apresentamos as conclusões e sugerimos vias para investigações posteriores; Designations of Origin and Geographical Indications in Translating Wine- Related Documents: Terminological Problems ABSTRACT: The purpose of this dissertation is to examine terminological problems and the importance of preparation and terminology work in the field of specialized translation. The chosen topic is the translation of documents containing terminology about Designations of Origin and Geographical Indications of Portuguese wines, namely wines from the Dão region. Chapter I provides an introduction to Designations of Origin in general and then specifically for Portuguese wines. Chapter II examines common translation resource problems and the importance of documentation and terminology work prior to the translation process; then, it discusses the relevant bibliography. Chapter III provides a translation of two documents about Designations of Origin, namely Labelling Regulations and Guide for Technical Procedures of Management and Control for the wines of the Dão. Chapter IV discusses the difficulties and solutions for the translation problems encountered during the process. Finally, the conclusions are shown and suggestions for future research are given.

An Ecological Analysis of the Potential for Moss-Based Green Roof Design

Green roofs are a maturing application of best management practices for controlling urban stormwater runoff. The majority of green roofs are planted with drought resistant, higher plant species, such as the genus Sedum. However, other plant varieties, such as mosses, may be equally applicable. Residential roofs and natural terrestrial communities were sampled in both Maryland and Tennessee to determine moss community structure and species water composition. This served as a natural analog for potential green roof moss communities. During sampling, 21 species of moss were identified throughout the 37 total sites. The average percent moss cover and water composition across all roof sites was 40.7% and 38.6%, respectively and across all natural sites, 76.7% and 47.7%, respectively. Additional maximum water holding capacity procedures were completed on sedum and 19 of the 21 sampled moss species to assess their individual potential for stormwater absorption. Sedum species on average held 166% of their biomass in water, while moss species held 732%. The results of this study are used as a basis to propose moss species that will improve green roof performance.

Fachada flexível para casa padronizada em condomínios

The employment of flexibility in the design of façades makes them adaptable to adverse weather conditions, resulting in both minimization of environmental discomfort and improvement of energy efficiency. The present study highlights the potential of flexible façades as a resource to reduce rigidity and form repetition, which are usually employed in condominiums of standardized houses; as such, the work presented herein contributes to field of study of architectural projects strategies for adapting and integrating buildings within the local climate context. Two façade options were designed using as reference the bionics and the kinetics, as well as their applications to architectural constructions. This resulted in two lightweight and dynamic structures, which cater to constraints of comfort through combinations of movements, which control the impact of solar radiation and of cooling in the environment. The efficacy and technical functionality of the façades were tested with comfort analysis and graphic computation software, as well as with physical models. Thus, the current research contributes to the improvement of architectural solutions aimed at using passive energy strategies in order to offer both better quality for the users and for the sustainability of the planet

Prevalence of chronic diseases in private healthcare sector of South Africa: A threat to public health

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of patients suffering from registered chronic disease list (CDL) conditions in a section of the South African private health sector from 2008 - 2012. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of the medicine claims database of a nationally (South African) representative Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) company data between 2008 and 2012. Statistical analysis was used to analyse the data. Descriptive analysis was performed to calculate the prevalence of CDL conditions for the entire population, and stratified by age and gender. However, MIXED linear modelling was used to determine changes in the average number of CDL conditions per patient, adjusted for age and gender from 2008 - 2012. Results: An increase of 0.20 in chronic diseases was observed from 2008 - 2012 in patients having any CDL condition, with an average of 1.57 (1.57 - 1.58, 95 % CI) co-morbid CDL conditions in 2008 and 1.77 (1.77 - 1.78, 95 % CI) in 2012. This increase in average number of CDL conditions per patient between 2008 and 2012 was statistically significant (p < 0.05), but with no large practical significance (d < 0.8). Conclusion: Prevalence of patients with CDL conditions along with risk of co-morbidity has been increasing with time in the private health sector of South Africa. Risk of increased co-morbidity with age and among different genders was prevalent.

Ickefarmakologiska interventioner vid cancerrelaterad smärta : En litteraturstudie ur ett patientperspektiv

Introduktion: Ett av huvudmålen med omvårdnad är att lindra lidande hos patienter, vilket kan uppnås genom att möta patienten med värdighet och genom att stötta i lidandet. Cancer är en snabbt växande sjukdom där smärta är ett vanligt symtom som orsakar lidande. Smärtan är ofta svårbehandlad och patienter kan uppleva den farmakologiska smärtlindringen som otillräcklig, vilket kan vara anledning till ickefarmakologiska interventioner. Syfte: Syftet med litteraturstudien var att belysa den upplevda effekten av ickefarmakologiska interventioner vid cancerrelaterad smärta. Metod: En litteraturstudie med systematiskt arbetssätt baserat på en nio-stegsmodell av Polit och Beck (2012). Granskning av artiklar utgick från en induktiv process där sammanlagt 10 artiklar kategoriserats. Resultatet delades in i tre kategorier; Lokalstimulerande interventioner, Punktstimulerande interventioner samt Stimuli utan eller med mycket lätt hudkontakt. Resultat: Lokalstimulerande interventioner visade varierande effekter. Vid Punktstimulerande interventioner upplevde majoriteten av patienterna en god effekt. Även Stimuli utan eller med mycket lätt hudkontakt gav en upplevelse av god effekt på smärtan hos deltagarna. Slutsats: De ickefarmakologiska interventioner som gav god effekt på cancerrelaterad smärta var de som administrerades utanför smärtområdet istället för direkt på smärtpunkterna. Genom att integrera resultatet i omvårdnadsarbetet kan patienter smärtlindras till en högre grad och vården kan förbättras.

What Are Effective Program Characteristics of Self-Management Interventions in Patients With Heart Failure? : An Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis

Background To identify those characteristics of self-management interventions in patients with heart failure (HF) that are effective in influencing health-related quality of life, mortality, and hospitalizations. Methods and Results Randomized trials on self-management interventions conducted between January 1985 and June 2013 were identified and individual patient data were requested for meta-analysis. Generalized mixed effects models and Cox proportional hazard models including frailty terms were used to assess the relation between characteristics of interventions and health-related outcomes. Twenty randomized trials (5624 patients) were included. Longer intervention duration reduced mortality risk (hazard ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97–0.999 per month increase in duration), risk of HF-related hospitalization (hazard ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–0.99), and HF-related hospitalization at 6 months (risk ratio 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–0.995). Although results were not consistent across outcomes, interventions comprising standardized training of interventionists, peer contact, log keeping, or goal-setting skills appeared less effective than interventions without these characteristics. Conclusion No specific program characteristics were consistently associated with better effects of self-management interventions, but longer duration seemed to improve the effect of self-management interventions on several outcomes. Future research using factorial trial designs and process evaluations is needed to understand the working mechanism of specific program characteristics of self-management interventions in HF patients.

The quality of the physical environment and its association with activities and well-being among older people in residential care facilities

The physical environment can influence older people’s health and well-being, and is often mentioned as being an important factor for person-centred care. Due to high levels of frail health, many older people spend a majority of their time within care facilities and depend on the physical environment for support in their daily life. However, the quality of the physical environment is rarely evaluated, and knowledge is sparse in terms of how well the environment meets the needs of older people. This is partly due to the lack of valid and reliable instruments that could provide important information on environmental quality. Aim: The aim of this thesis was to study the quality of the physical environment in Swedish care facilities for older people, and how it relates to residents’ activities and well-being. Methods: The thesis comprises four papers where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Study I involved the translation and adaptation of the Sheffield Care Environment Assessment Matrix (SCEAM) into a Swedish version (S-SCEAM). Several methods were used including forward and backward translation, test of validity via expert consultation and reliability tests. In Study II, S-SCEAM was used to assess the quality of the environment, and descriptive data were collected from 20 purposively sampled residential care facilities (RCFs). Study III was a comparative case study conducted at two RCFs using observations, interviews and S-SCEAM to examine how the physical environment relates to older people’s activities and interactions. In study IV, multilevel modeling was used to determine the association between the quality of the physical environment and the psychological and social well-being of older people living in RCFs. The data in the thesis were analysed using qualitative content analysis, and descriptive, bivariate and multilevel statistics. Results: A specific result was the production of the Swedish version of SCEAM. The instrument contains 210 items structured into eight domains reflecting the needs of older people. When using S-SCEAM, the results showed a substantial variation in the quality of the physical environment between and within RCFs. In general, private apartments and dining areas had high quality, whereas overall building layout and outdoor areas had lower quality. Also, older people’s safety was supported in the majority of facilities, whereas cognitive support and privacy had lower quality. Further, the results showed that environmental quality in terms of cognitive support was associated with residents’ social well-being. Specific environmental features, such as building design and space size, were also noted, through observation, as influencing residents’ activities, and several barriers were found that seemed to restrict residents’ full use of the environment. Conclusions: This thesis contributes to the growing evidence-based design field. The S-SCEAM can be used in future research on the association between the environment and people’s health and well-being. The instrument could also serve as a guide in the planning and design process of new RCFs.