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Leichte Sprache e Yasashii Nihongo: varietà di semplificazione linguistica a confronto
No full textLa diffusione di varietà linguistiche semplificate rappresenta un fenomeno in crescente espansione a livello internazionale, espressione di una sensibilità sempre più marcata verso le esigenze di chi incontra difficoltà nell’accesso a testi redatti in lingua standard. Tra i Paesi che si distinguono per l’attenzione all’accessibilità linguistica figura la Germania, dove da tempo è riconosciuta e utilizzata la Leichte Sprache, una forma semplificata del tedesco destinata soprattutto a persone con ridotte capacità di lettura, spesso correlate a condizioni di disabilità (cfr. Bredel/Maaß 2016). Anche in Giappone il tema ha assunto un ruolo centrale, con lo sviluppo di Yasashii Nihongo (やさしい日本語), concepito per facilitare la comunicazione con cittadini stranieri residenti nel Paese con competenze linguistiche limitate (cfr. Iori 2016). Pur condividendo l’obiettivo di rendere più accessibile la lingua standard, Leichte Sprache e Yasashii Nihongo si rivolgono, dunque, a destinatari profondamente diversi: una divergenza che si riflette inevitabilmente sulle scelte linguistiche e che si inserisce nella più ampia distanza strutturale tra i due sistemi di riferimento. Il presente contributo si propone di esplorare il confronto tra queste due forme di semplificazione linguistica, che risultano finora relativamente poco indagate in ottica contrastiva nella letteratura scientifica (cfr. Kimura 2023, 2024, 2025). A tal fine, viene presentato un caso di studio basato sull’analisi di articoli giornalistici in tedesco e in giapponese, considerati nelle versioni standard e semplificate e tratti rispettivamente dai portali Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) e Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai (日本放送協会, NHK). I testi in lingua standard vengono rielaborati con l’ausilio di ChatGPT, con l’intento di osservare se – e in quale misura – il modello sia in grado di produrre versioni semplificate. Le rielaborazioni così ottenute vengono quindi sottoposte a un confronto critico con le corrispondenti versioni semplificate pubblicate sui portali e valutate alla luce delle principali linee guida ufficiali elaborate per Leichte Sprache e Yasashii Nihongo. Tale analisi intende offrire alcuni spunti di riflessione sul possibile contributo delle tecnologie digitali alla sistematizzazione e allo sviluppo delle pratiche di semplificazione linguistica in una prospettiva contrastiva
Smart waste-derived materials for feed application: chestnut shells and vine pruning biochar
No full textCarrier-assisted delivery is a key step for the successful targeted oral delivery of bioactive molecules in functional diets in livestock. The aim is to protect the biomolecule during gastric transit, and ensure its efficient release in the intestine. Biochar is the by-product of the thermochemical conversion of residual biomass in an oxygen-limited environment and has suitable physico-chemical and morphological properties to be a carrier. Two types of biochar were tested as carriers of egg white lysozyme (LY), selected as a representative of bioactive molecules both in terms of molecular size (MW 14.3 kDa) and antibacterial activity, for application in weaned pig feed. One biochar was derived from chestnut shells (CB) and the other from vine pruning (VB). An efficient and environmentally-friendly procedure for LY adsorption was developed, based on a solid/liquid process in mild conditions. The effects of the operating conditions, such as initial LY content, reaction time, and pH were also studied. The optimal conditions were found to be a maximum LY loading of 21–23 mgLY gCarrier−1. Both pristine and hybrid materials were extensively characterized by combining morphological and physico-chemical techniques to obtain information on LY allocation and interactions with the carriers. Preliminary experiments on lysozyme release were performed at pH = 3 and pH = 7, simulating the pH conditions of the stomach and intestine of the weaned pigs, respectively. The results showed a higher releasing capacity when the pH was increased from 3 to 7. Specifically, the release showed a slight increase from 0.8% to 1.2% as the pH shifted from 3 to 7 for CB, and from 1.5% to 2.3% for VB. These results confirmed that biochar can protect LY from the low pH, during the gastric transit, and that LY could be released in the gut. These two benefits are likely related to the homogeneous distribution of LY molecules at the carrier surface, which is facilitated by the interaction of charges of opposite signs
Heterogeneous stacking strategy for modeling flowing bottom-hole pressure of oil wells
No full textAccurately predicting Flowing Bottom-Hole Pressure (FBHP) is critical for optimizing oil and gas production. Existing predictive methods often rely on oversimplified or complex, yet computationally expensive, models that fail to capture the intrinsic nonlinearities of well dynamics, leading to inaccurate predictions and potential economic losses. This paper introduces a three-layer heterogeneous stacking ensemble model to address the latter challenge. In particular, the key novelty of the developed work is a hierarchical architecture that integrates five distinct Machine Learning (ML) base learners, two meta-learners, and a final super-learner, i.e., an additional meta-model that combines the outputs of the meta-learners to capture complex, non-linear relationships in the data. When evaluated on a field dataset (total dataset samples
; test set samples
), the proposed Super Learner Stacking model (ST-S) demonstrated superior predictive performance on the independent test set, achieving R-squared (
) =
and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) =
. In addition, the ST-S model outperformed all individual models and simpler stacking ensembles reported in the article. As a result, the developed ST-S model provides a robust, data-driven tool for FBHP prediction, achieving high predictive accuracy without resorting to computationally expensive methods, thereby supporting improved well management and production optimization
High-density surface electromyography excitation of prime movers across scapular positions in the seated row
No full textObjectives: The present study compared the amplitude and spatial distribution of muscle excitation between a seated row performed with a fixed scapular position (fixed-SR) and a free scapular position (free-SR) in resistance-trained men, analyzing concentric and eccentric phases separately using high-density surface EMG (HD-sEMG). Methods: Fourteen resistance-trained males (age: 25 ± 4 years; stature: 1.74 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 76.22 ± 5.73 kg) performed fixed-SR and free-SR in a randomized cross-over design using 8-repetition maximum as the load for both variations. HD-sEMG grids recorded the activity from the upper/middle/lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi, lateral/posterior deltoid, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and erector spinae. Normalized root mean squared (RMS) amplitude and excitation centroids in the mediolateral and craniocaudal planes were computed for the concentric and eccentric phases. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures statistical models, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: During the concentric phase, nRMS amplitude was greater for the posterior deltoid in fixed-SR compared with free-SR (effect size [ES] = 0.66), whereas no between-condition difference was observed for the remaining muscles. During the eccentric phase, nRMS amplitude was greater in the fixed-SR for the middle trapezius (ES = 0.67) and the latissimus dorsi (ES = 0.85), with no between-condition differences detected for the remaining muscles. The centroid position analysis revealed that, during the eccentric phase, the middle trapezius centroid was located more laterally in the fixed-SR condition (ES = 0.54), while the posterior deltoid centroid was positioned more caudally in the fixed-SR compared with the free-SR condition (ES = 0.22). Conclusions: The fixed-SR and free-SR conditions produce comparable overall muscle excitation patterns, while showing some quantitative and spatial differences in selected upper-back muscles. These results suggest that scapular constraint influences the distribution of muscular excitation rather than overall excitation levels. Accordingly, both variations can be effectively used in resistance training, selecting to fix or free the scapulae depending on the emphasis on the scapular movements rather than a substantial difference in muscle excitation
True spin-orbit obliquity distribution: Data-driven confirmation of no clustering of misaligned planets
No full textContext. True spin-orbit obliquities Ψ offer valuable insights into the evolutionary history of exoplanetary systems. Previous studies have suggested that exoplanets tend to occupy either aligned or perpendicular orbits. However, recent research has indicated potential biases caused by the small sample, and has brought into question whether this dichotomy would persist with a larger dataset. Simultaneously, a similar dichotomous behavior has been suggested for Neptune-sized planets.
Aims. Our aim was to investigate the distribution of true spin-orbit obliquities Ψ with an enlarged sample, looking for confirmation of the disputed dichotomy previously found, with a focus also on the obliquities of Neptunes.
Methods. Starting from a sample of 264 projected obliquities λ, we homogeneously computed true obliquities Ψ for 116 planets using the rotation period method. We combined them with four further values gathered from the literature and we then studied their distribution, also as a function of various star-planet system parameters.
Results. Our data-driven work was based on 120 true obliquities Ψ, the largest sample to date, and strongly confirms the presence of a single cluster of aligned planets, followed by an isotropic distribution of misaligned planets with no preferred misalignment. This result is based on a uniform distribution of stellar inclinations i*, for which non-uniformity could have biased previous interpretations of the arrangement of true obliquities. We confirm that Neptunians show a tentative dichotomous distribution with the data available today, but this needs confirmation with an enlarged sample, also because an anisotropic distribution of stellar inclination may be one of the factors hindering the real distribution.
Conclusions. The future increase in the measured Ψ sample over different planet types will allow a better investigation of the relation between misalignment and system properties and will provide a more comprehensive picture of the planetary evolution processes
H-ferritin nanocages: refined strategy for optimized protein production and purification
No full textH-ferritin (HFn) nanocages are promising tools in biomedical applications, yet producing sufficient injectable quantities remains challenging. To optimize production, we compared two lysis methods and purification protocols, focusing on the ClearColi BL21(DE3) strain, which features a modified lipopolysaccharide that avoids triggering endotoxin responses in humans. Our findings show that omitting protease inhibitors during lysis and using 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0 buffer with Q-Sepharose resin significantly enhances protein yield. Importantly, these adjustments do not compromise encapsulation efficiency or cytotoxicity, offering a more efficient and cost-effective strategy for obtaining pure, stable HFn suitable for therapeutic use
Cervical disc disease in whippets: Results of an online survey involving Italian owners and breeders
No full textWhippet is considered quite a healthy breed. Nonetheless, the perception of some veterinary neurologists is that
the occurrence of neurological diseases, especially cervical disc disease (CDD), is frequent in this breed. This
study aimed to get information about the prevalence of the most common disorders and conditions affecting the
Italian Whippet population, particularly investigating the prevalence of CDD and the perception of the problem
by owners and breeders. Owners and breeders included in the Italian Sighthound Club register were invited to
answer anonymously an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for breeder/owner and dog
characteristics, and statistical association with the development of CDD were explored. Over 280 Whippets, the
overall prevalence of CDD was 7.2% and 29% in Whippets older than 9 years. Whippets older than 9 years were
overrepresented in the CDD group (P < 0.0001; O.R. 0.07; 95% CI: 0.02–0.22) compared with the CDD group.
These findings confirm the hypothesis that CDD may be a challenging and more prevalent than expected disorder
in this breed and health screening programs could be recommended to breeders and owners to assess cervical
spine conformation, especially before sporting activity or breeding
Cash or card – combat or coexistence? A non-cooperative differential game approach
No full textThe present letter analyses the current evolution of the monetary landscape mostly characterized by means of payments based on digitization (e.g., credit/debit cards) to the disadvantage of physical ones (e.g., cash). In parallel, pleas for a more sustainable lifestyle are increasingly heard by the banking and financial sector providing payment solutions, which should be also perceived to be sufficiently secure against frauds. For instance, fraud losses due to identity theft are at a cross-country level on the surge for credit-card payments while cash is considered less practical and connected with operational and logistical challenges (e.g., production and issuance, return, sorting and destruction). In the light of these developments and trade-offs, we derive the optimal combination of (digital versus physical) means of payments to pay in an environmentally sustainable and safe way. By means of a non-cooperative differential game, this letter provides a baseline symmetric Nash model supplemented by a Stackelberg extension capturing realistic leader-follower dynamics and calibrates both frameworks to European payment data. We derive closed-form solutions and discuss coexistence conditions for optimal payment systems and suggest directions for future, empirically more sophisticated extensions
Impact of cardiac magnetic resonance on the clinical management of patients with Fabry disease: Data from the CMR Italian research and CLinical nEtwork for Fabry disease (CIRCLE-FD)
No full textObjectives: Since 2016, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato has led a network of referral centres for Fabry Disease (FD), performing over 350 cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scans with T1/T2 mapping in FD patients. A survey assessing the impact of CMR on the clinical management of FD patients was sent to the referring clinicians within this network, called CIRCLE-FD (CMR Italian Research and Clinical Network for FD). Results: Of the 217 questionnaires submitted, 191 (88 %) were completed by 17 clinicians. Most patients were female (59 %), aged 20–60 (74 %), left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH) negative (67 %) with no late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (74 %) and low myocardial T1 (61 %). CMR was considered crucial in managing FD patients in 138 cases (72 %): in 116 cases to manage FD-specific therapy; in 32 cases to support decisions regarding cardiological therapy; in 68 cases to plan follow-up; and in 65 cases for more than one of the above options. Overall, the most useful CMR data was the T1 value (53 % of responses), followed by the severity of LVH (29 % of responses) and LGE extension (18 % of responses). The initiation of FD-specific therapies was prompted in LVH-negative patients with low T1, while follow-up was extended for patients, mainly females, with normal T1. Conclusions: CMR performed within the CIRCLE-FD was considered useful for managing FD patients. To optimise its efficacy, this examination should be performed by expert personnel and include T1/T2 mapping in the scan protocol, possibly with the purpose of answering clinical issues through research projects
Enhancing active channel delineation in alluvial rivers using monthly aggregation of Sentinel‐2 imagery
No full textThe active channel of alluvial rivers delineates areas of geomorphic activity over a defined time window. While increasing satellite data availability enables monthly active channel delineations, multi‐year analyses often rely on temporal aggregates (e.g., annual medians) to reduce computational costs and intraannual variability. The potential of monthly information to improve active channels delineation and geomorphic interpretation remains largely unexplored. In this work, we delineated active channels for the Po River (Italy) by aggregating monthly Sentinel‐2 classifications of river water and sediment bars into annual frequency maps at 10 m resolution. Annual aggregation mitigated monthly sediment underestimation (12%) but also amplified model overestimation biases (15%). Monthly classification persistence (e.g., classified as active channel for more than N months/year) was then used to reduce these errors and produce active channel areas that closely match those manually delineated from 30 cm orthophotos. The spatiotemporal variability of monthly classifications also show that the active channel area of dynamic reaches can vary ∼50% over the year. These changes revealed areas most prone to water‐stage fluctuations, sediment transport, as well as zones seasonally or progressively colonized by vegetation—patterns hidden in single orthophotos or annual medians. Less dynamic reaches, by contrast, showed minimal differences between annual and monthly‐based delineation methods. These findings emphasize the importance of adapting temporal aggregation to the river type and process analysed, with sub‐annual resolutions better capturing, in dynamic rivers, seasonal and progressive active channel reconfigurations, along with their interaction with sediment and vegetation dynamics