145 research outputs found
Replication data for "ELT in Chinese General Senior High School: An Analysis of Contemporary Chinese ELT Textbooks" [interviews of Doctoral Thesis]
No full textTranscriptions by the author of oral and written interviews with senior high school ELT teachers in China, conducted between May and November 2024 in Dalian (Liaoning) and Luoyang (Henan), as part of the doctoral thesis research project: Scaringella, F. M. (2025). ELT in Chinese General Senior High School: An Analysis of Contemporary Chinese ELT Textbooks. Milan: University of Milan
Tecnologie Informatiche per l'Analisi della Citta': Le Basi di Dati Geografiche e la Realtà Virtuale.
No full textSi analizzano applicazioni informatiche per la rappresentazione di fenomeni economici, sociali e altro. In particolare i sistemi informativi geografici (GIS) e i sistemi di realtà virtuale (VR), di cui si esamina la struttura, le diverse tipologie, modalità di funzionamento e utilizzazioni per quanto riguarda la città
From Promotion to Suspicion: Shifting Attitudes Towards English Language Teaching in Chinese Official Media
No full textSince the 1980s, English language proficiency has been considered as a crucial tool for China’s modernization and economic development and has been actively promoted within the education system (Adamson 2004; Vickers & Zeng 2018). However, the status of English has become a debated topic within Chinese society in recent years, with some political representatives proposing a reduction in its importance.
This topic has also been discussed in Chinese official media. While in 2019 an article published on the Renmin Ribao still emphasized the importance of the study of foreign languages (Liu et al. 2019), more recently, the media have given significant space to voices who are critical towards English and its dreaded negative effects on society, and to analyses of policies which indirectly downsized its role in the education system, such as the ‘double-reduction’ policy (shuang jian zhengce 双减政策).
This contribution analyzes the representation of the public debate on English teaching in the Chinese official media, especially the Renmin Ribao, based on a corpus of articles published between 2019 and 2023. The aim is to reveal a substantial shift in attitude by the Chinese government. Relying on a qualitative approach based on critical discourse analysis (Fairclough 2003; van Dijk 2011), it particularly examines how social meanings and attitudes towards English are produced in the articles, with a special focus on ‘ideology’ (Gramsci 1971). In doing so, it attempts to contribute to the academic discussion on the relationship between education policies, public consensus, and media in China
La mappatura dei profili di competenza: una analisi comparata delle fonti
No full textRaccolta critica delle fonti sul degrado e gli interventi conservativi dei diversi tipi di materiali organici e inorganici utilizzati per il patrimonio culturale. Riflessione critica sulle competenze necessarie per una corretta conoscenza dei materiali stessi finalizzata all'individuazione delle loro tecniche di lavorazione e delle competenze necessarie per conservare, manutenere e restaurare i diversi materiali utilizzati per il patrimonio cultural
“Ricerca e Validazione di Biomarcatori per la Identificazione Preventiva ed il Monitoraggio del Trattamento Farmacologico in soggetti ad alto rischio di Stroke Criptogenico”
No full text“Ricerca e Validazione di Biomarcatori per la Identificazione Preventiva ed il Monitoraggio del Trattamento Farmacologico in soggetti ad alto rischio di Stroke Criptogenico”
Background e Obiettivi: Il progetto di tesi pone l'ipotesi che dismetabolismi del ciclo dei folati, derivanti dalla mutazione MTHFR C6771, possano rappresentare un fattore ancora non identificato nella patogenesi dello stroke embolico da causa indeterminata (ESUS). Dalle indagini condotte è stato possibile evidenziare come tale mutazione si associ ad un aumentato grado di disfunzione endoteliale e fibrosi atriale, determinanti centrali della recentemente postulata "cardiomiopatia atriale". Quest'ultima entità anatomo-elettrofisiologica costituirebbe il substrato comune all'ESUS e ad alcune delle condizioni finora considerate possibili cause dello stesso, in primis la fibrillazione atriale (FA). Secondariamente, è stato evidenziato come il metotrexato (MTX), chemioterapico e immunosoppressore largamente impiegato nella pratica clinica, determini su linee stabilizzate di cellule endoteliali e su progenitori endoteliali circolanti (EPCs) di pazienti controllo le stesse alterazioni fenotipiche osservate nelle EPCs di pazienti portatori della mutazione MTHFR C677T.
Metodi: Sono stati reclutati 59 pazienti con FA (Ospedale Generale F. Miulli) e 83 controlli ipertesi (Università di Bari) (Comitato Etico, n°6903). Sono stati misurati i genotipi MTHFR-C677T (qRT-PCR), fibrosi atriale (tensione picco-picco bipolare), i globuli rossi, l'RDW e l'omocisteinemia. Sono stati misurati i livelli di molecole di adesione e citochine proinfiammatorie sul plasma sanguigno periferico. Le EPC sono state isolate e funzionali in vitro (guarigione delle ferite) e sono stati eseguiti test in vivo (membrana corioallantoidea di Chick).
Risultati: : Le caratteristiche basali erano simili in FA e controlli. La percentuale di FA differisce tra pazienti MTHFR-C677T omozigoti (n=15) vs MTHFR non-C677T omozigoti (n=44) (P<0,01). L'analisi multivariata mostra alterazione di RBC e RDW e aumento di omocisteina nei pazienti con omozigosi MTHFR-C677T (vs non omozigoti, P<0,005). Le citochine pro-infiammatorie così come i livelli di molecole di adesione hanno mostrato un aumento nei pazienti MTHFR-C677T omozigoti (vs MTHFR nonC677T omozigoti). La migrazione in vitro delle EPC e la capacità di angiogenesi in vivo sono state compromesse nei pazienti MTHFR-C677T omozigoti AF (vs non omozigoti, P<0,05). Il trattamento con MTX nei controlli suggerisce gli stessi risultati ottenuti nei pazienti omozigoti MTHFR-C677T in vitro e in vivo.
Conclusioni: I risultati dello studio suggeriscono promettenti nuove prospettive nell’inquadramento patogenetico dell'ESUS, con importanti risvolti su possibili nuove strategie di stratificazione del rischio e prevenzione primaria.“Research and Validation of Biomarkers for the Preventive Identification and Monitoring of Pharmacological Treatment in subjects at high risk of Cryptogenic Stroke”
Background and Aims: The thesis project hypothesizes that folate cycle dysmetabolism due to the MTHFR C677T mutation may represent an unidentified factor in the pathogenesis of embolic stroke of undetermined origin (ESUS). Investigations have revealed that this mutation is associated with higher levels of endothelial dysfunction and atrial fibrosis (AFib) , both central determinants of the recently proposed concept of “atrial cardiomyopathy.” This anatomical and electrophysiological entity could serve as a common substrate for ESUS and some conditions previously considered possible causes, particularly atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, methotrexate (MTX), a widely used chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive agent, was observed to induce the same phenotypic alterations in stable endothelial cell lines and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from control patients as those observed in EPCs from patients with the mutation MTHFR C677T.
Methods: We recruited 59 Atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients (General Hospital F.Miulli), and 83 hypertensive controls (Bari University) (Ethic Committee, n°6903). MTHFR-C677T genotypes (qRT-PCR), AFib (bipolar peak-to-peak voltage), RBC, RDW and homocysteinemia were measured. Adhesion molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were measured on peripheral blood plasma. EPCs were isolated and functional in vitro (wound healing), and in vivo (Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane) assays were performed.
Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in AF and controls. The percentage of AFib differs between MTHFR-C677T homozygous (n=15) vs MTHFR non-C677T homozygous (n=44) patients (P<0.01). The multivariate analysis shows RBC and RDW alteration and homocysteine increase in patients with MTHFR-C677T homozygosity (vs non-homozygous, P<0.005). Pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as adhesion molecules levels showed an increased in MTHFR-C677T homozygous patients (vs MTHFR non-C677T homozygous ones). The in vitro EPCs migration and the in vivo angiogenesis ability were impaired in MTHFR-C677T homozygous AF patients (vs non-homozygous, P< 0.05). The treatment with MTX in controls suggests the same results obtained in MTHFR-C677T homozygous patients in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusions: The study findings suggest promising new perspectives for understanding the pathogenesis of ESUS, with significant implications for potential new risk stratification and primary prevention strategies
High dynamic range ultrasound imaging with real-time filtered-delay multiply and sum beamforming
No full textMost commercially available ultrasound imaging systems currently implement the delay and sum (DAS) beamforming. Alternative beamformers have been presented, offering higher performance at the expense of computational complexity, which has so far limited their practical real-time implementation. In particular, the Filtered-Delay Multiply and Sum (F-DMAS) beamformer, which adds the computation of signed square roots, absolute values and multiplications to DAS, was recently shown to be effective in improving resolution, dynamic range and overall image quality. In this work, we present the real-time implementation of the F-DMAS beamformer on the ULA-OP 256 research system. This is obtained through a reformulation of the F-DMAS algorithm that allows reducing its computational cost. Compared to DAS, F-DMAS images of a commercial phantom captured in real-time showed higher CR (up to +7 dB), better spatial resolution (up to 30%), but lower CNR (-40%)
Lymphangioma circumscriptum of the tongue in paediatric patients: a clinic-pathological and immunohistochemical study with high-tech protocol and comprehensive literature analysis
No full textPurpose: Vascular anomalies (VAs) are a heterogeneous group of congenital disorders characterized by variable clinical presentation, biological behaviour, and therapeutic response. The classification system developed by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) is currently the global standard, categorizing VAs based on histopathological features, hemodynamic, and clinical progression. Lymphatic malformations (LMs), including Lymphangioma Circumscriptum (LC)& horbar;a localized and often superficial variant & horbar;are stratified into macrocystic, microcystic, or mixed subtypes. Despite the system's widespread adoption, the absence of standardized dimensional criteria and consistent diagnostic protocols limits its applicability. The rarity of oral LC, especially in paediatric patients alongw with its clinical overlap with other vascular or neoplastic lesions, further complicates diagnosis and management. This study introduces an integrated High-Tech protocol combining High-Definition Intraoral Ultrasonography (IHDUS) and Diode Laser for the management of LC occuring in the tongue of paediatric patients. A comprehensive literature review further contextualizes the clinic-pathological significance of the herein reported approach within contemporary frameworks for vascular anomaly management. Methods: All patients underwent a structured three-step protocol: IHDUS for the precise assessment of lesion depth, vascularity, and extension; Diode Laser transmucosal photocoagulation to promote volume and vascular supply reduction with subsequent Diode Laser-assisted surgical excision; histological examination withimmunohistochemical analysis too. Results: 7 paediatric cases with histologically confirmed LC of the tongue were treated, all demonstrating comparable clinical and radiological characteristics; after surgery, complete healing was observed in all cases without complications. Conclusion: Data from literature mainly describe invasive procedures for LC treatment, lacking standardization and often unsuitable for paediatric populations. The proposed protocol demonstrated substantial clinical value as a minimally invasive, safe, and reproducible approach for the diagnosis and management of LC of the tongue in paediatric patients. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Capitolo 1 - I NUOVI BACINI D’IMPIEGO NEL SETTORE DELLO SVILUPPO SOSTENIBILE: UN'ANALISI COMPARATA DELLE FONTI
No full textIl lavoro esamina i possibili bacini di occupazione legati alle valenze delle tematiche ambientali emergent
Relative stopping power measurements and prosthesis artifacts reduction in proton CT
No full textWe present a set-up for proton computed tomography (pCT), composed of a microstrip silicon tracker and a YAG:Ce calorimeter, able to directly measure the relative stopping power (RSP) maps to be used in hadron therapy. The system, tested with an electron density phantom at the Trento proton Therapy Center, is able to correlate measured and expected RSP with discrepancies of the order of 1% or less. Furthermore, pCT tomographies of an anthropomorphous head phantom taken with our device, when compared with X-ray CT images of the same object, evidence a significant reduction of artifacts induced by titanium spinal bone prosthesis and tungsten dental filling
Becoming a Leader : Career paths and leadership in Germany and France
No full textUne étude comparative concernant les parcours scolaires et professionnels des dirigeants en Allemagne et en France révèle des différences fondamentales qui reflètent à leur tour des différences de conception de la fonction de direction d’entreprise entre les deux pays.
À l’est du Rhin, on met l’accent sur les compétences techniques et sur des variables de personnalité, tandis qu’à l’ouest, on se concentre sur le rang de sortie des grandes écoles les plus prestigieuses. Pourtant, dans les deux cas, les dirigeants sont issus de l’élite sociale du pays
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