557 research outputs found
Analisi critica dei risultati del progetto PM-CARE: valutazione statistica dell’associazione tra esposizione al particolato urbano e parametri clinici di interesse.
No full textLo studio degli effetti sulla salute umana legati all’esposizione a particolato atmosferico sono ormai noti, ma è ancora necessario indagare i meccanismi patogenetici che li determinano. Il presente progetto di dottorato, che si inserisce nel contesto di un progetto di rilevanza nazionale, il progetto PM-CARE, ha l’obiettivo di studiare l’associazione tra esposizione a particolato e l’andamento di una selezione di parametri clinici di interesse.
Il progetto è stato sviluppato mediante l’effettuazione di due monitoraggi, di 24 ore ciascuno, uno nel periodo invernale e l’altro nel periodo estivo, nell’ipotesi di concentrazioni di particolato differenti. La popolazione studiata è stata costituita da 81 volontari, residenti nelle province di Milano e Monza, suddivisi in 3 gruppi: cardiopatici, pneumopatici e “non cardiopatici-non pneumopatici”, (cosiddetti “sani”), per indagare una diversa suscettibilità al particolato.
Le misure di esposizione sono state di tipo individuale, realizzate mediante un prototipo di unità mobile di monitoraggio (M.M.U.), una valigia con rotelle contenente tutti gli strumenti di misura necessari al monitoraggio e facilmente trasportabile dai soggetti. Si è ottenuta, quindi, una stima realistica dell’esposizione relativa a diverse frazioni di particolato, identificate dal diametro aerodinamico delle particelle [da], in termini di concentrazioni gravimetriche (suddivise nelle frazioni con da massimi: 0.5, 1, 2.5 e 10 μm), e di concentrazioni numeriche, (range da > 0.02 μm). Sono stati misurati, inoltre, parametri coinquinanti (O3, CO, NO2) e a parametri microclimatici (T, rH). A completamento dello scenario espositivo, è stata compilata una check-list contenente le principali informazioni sulle caratteristiche degli ambienti di vita dei soggetti, oltre ad un diario delle attività da essi svolte durante i monitoraggi.
Le misure di tipo clinico, contestuali a quelle ambientali, hanno previsto esami di tipo ematochimico, cardiologico e respiratorio.
L’obiettivo del progetto di dottorato è stato quello di studiare l’associazione tra l’esposizione a particolato atmosferico e l’andamento di parametri clinici di interesse, selezionati in collaborazione con il team clinico del progetto. Dopo una prima analisi descrittiva, tali associazioni sono state verificate mediante l’applicazione dei modelli lineari misti per misure ripetute. A completamento dello studio, sono stati valutati, con un’analisi preliminare, i tempi di latenza tra esposizione ed effetto clinico, per i parametri cardiologici continui.
I parametri clinici scelti sono stati la proteina C-reattiva (hs-PCRPCR), il fibrinogeno e due indici della variabilità cardiaca: la frequenza cardiaca (FC) e la deviazione standard dell’intervallo tra due battiti normali N-N (SDNN).
La hs.PCR è uno dei principali indici di infiammazione sistemica ed è associata al rischio di eventi coronarici acuti. Il fibrinogeno è un indicatore dello stato coagulatorio del sangue e il suo incremento è associato a una maggior predisposizione alla formazione di trombi ed eventi coagulatori che possono favorire la sindrome coronaria e l’infarto del miocardio. Entrambi i parametri sono stati derivati da un prelievo sanguigno a fine monitoraggio.
Alterazioni dei parametri cardiologici selezionati risultano associate a una riduzione della variabilità della frequenza cardiaca, a cui si deve un aumento nel rischio di mortalità per cause cardiovascolari, inclusa la morte cardiaca improvvisa. Entrambi i parametri sono stati derivati dal tracciato in continuo dell’elettrocardiogramma di tipo Holter, sulle 24 ore di monitoraggio.
I livelli di particolato sono risultati in media superiori ai livelli raccomandati dalle linee guida della WHO (rispettivamente di 50 μg/m3 e 25 μg/m3) in entrambi i monitoraggi per il PM2.5, e nel monitoraggio invernale per il PM10.
Il PM10, costituito da tutte le particelle con diametro aerodinamico fino a 10 μm, secondo le analisi eseguite, è risultato composto per circa il 67% dalle particelle con da < 0.5 μm, appartenenti alla moda di accumulazione.
Molto evidente, inoltre, è stato il trend stagionale, con livelli di esposizione più alti durante l’inverno. La variazione di concentrazione è stata sostanzialmente dovuta alla classe di particelle con diametro aerodinamico compreso tra 0.3 e 1 μm, (_%:141% e per PM0.3÷0.5 μm e _%: 209% per PM0.5 €1μm) dovuto soprattutto dalla presenza delle emissioni legate ai riscaldamenti domestici. E’ rimasta invece, sostanzialmente invariata la concentrazione delle particelle ultrafini, la cui presenza è fortemente legata alle sorgenti di combustione indoor e al traffico veicolare, indipendenti dal periodo dell’anno. Allo stesso modo anche la concentrazione di PM grossolano non ha subito grandi variazioni, probabilmente perche le sorgenti (polveri di provenienza naturale, pollini, spore, usura pneumatici etc.) non sono associate a fattori climatici.
Infine, sono stati riscontrati diversi livelli di esposizione fra i tre gruppi per la frazione 0.3-1 μm, probabilmente a causa della maggior tendenza dei soggetti “sani” ad effettuare attività outdoor.
Lo studio dell’associazione a particolato per la proteina C-reattiva e per il fibrinogeno, hanno mostrato che esiste un effetto statisticamente significativo dovuto alla concentrazione numerica della frazione grossolana di particolato (5÷10 μm). Le sorgenti legate a questo tipo di esposizione sarebbero quindi di tipo prevalentemente outdoor. Endotossine batteriche, pollini e spore, caratteristici di questa frazione, potrebbero essere i responsabili dell’attivazione o incremento di uno stato di infiammazione sistemica e di processi coagulatori. Inoltre, le patologie caratterizzanti i tre gruppi di soggetti, non hanno influenzato la suscettibilità al particolato.
Gli indicatori della variabilità cardiaca sono risultati influenzati dalla concentrazione numerica di particelle con diametro aerodinamico compreso tra 0.3 e 1 μm, e quindi dalla componente fine del particolato atmosferico. Questa frazione di particelle e legata a sorgenti sia indoor che outdoor e, considerato che la sua concentrazione e risultata predominante nel periodo invernale, l’esposizione della stagione fredda risulterebbe potenzialmente più nociva. Non si e riscontrata, inoltre, una diversa suscettibilità tra i gruppi di soggetti.
Dai risultati, un incremento delle concentrazioni di particolato determinerebbe un aumento della frequenza cardiaca, e una diminuzione di SDNN, traducibile, a livello clinico, in una diminuzione del controllo del sistema nervoso autonomo sulla regolazione del ritmo cardiaco e della funzionalità della bilancia simpato-vagale.
I meccanismi patogenetici compatibili con i risultati sono dunque legati all’infiammazione/ossidazione a livello polmonare, oppure ad un’azione diretta delle particelle sulle terminazioni nervose delle fibre afferenti polmonari, in accordo con la letteratura. La mancanza di un’associazione significativa con le particelle ultrafini escluderebbe l’ipotesi del passaggio diretto di questa frazione nella circolazione sanguigna.
Infine, lo studio preliminare sui tempi di latenza tra esposizione e frequenza cardiaca (per il gruppo ‘non cardiopatici-non pneumopatici’), ha indicato un effetto di tipo immediato (dell’ordine dei 5’-30’) e ritardato (circa 6-8 ore). I risultati, sebbene preliminari, trovano riscontro in quelli di altri gruppi di ricerca.
Per quanto riguarda il parametro SDNN, invece, il tipo di approccio statistico si è rivelato inadeguato alla tipologia di parametro.
Gli sviluppi futuri saranno quindi indirizzati all’approfondimento dei dati in continuo con un approccio statistico più raffinato (applicazione di modelli misti su moving averages a diversi intervalli temporali, utilizzo di smoothing functions).
Da un punto di vista prettamente ambientale, invece, si procederà con l’analisi delle concentrazioni di particolato in funzione di fattori determinanti, quali le attività dei soggetti durante il monitoraggio, le caratteristiche principali delle loro unita abitative e i livelli outdoor registrati dalla centraline ARPA più vicine
Independent Developers: The invisible urban regenerators
No full textMost of today’s urban development and regeneration is being provided by the private
sector. Cities are being regenerated and redeveloped by institutional developers with
projects that can change entire neighbourhoods and city centres. The majority of these
developers are interested primarily in institutional properties and other buildings that are
large enough to generate the required returns and revenues without bearing too much risks.
There are also areas and neighbourhoods that do not experience institutional development
and investment because their developmental values and sites are not encouraging to them.
Nevertheless, some of these areas gained economic growth and were regenerated without
any institutional developers being involved. These kinds of regenerations are either a result
of community development or they are the outcome of independent development. This type
of development culture is not much studied yet. Independent developers are the invisibles
working in the shadows of the big institutional property developers that are often covered in
the media and literature. Hardly anybody notices and writes about these small and
independent developers that, although developing smaller projects, still have an impact on
and are important for urban regeneration. This analysis of independent developers and their
projects will provide information on their approach to property development. The report will
discuss the major differences between institutional and independent development and how
they each address topics like location, market, intervention and funding. By drawing on
examples from interviews, literature and other publications, the report will examine
independent property developers in more detail and try to analyse their role and their
contribution to urban regeneration
The role of language typology on L2 acquisition and learning, Special Issue
No full textThis special issue of the I-LanD Journal aims to explore the role of
language typology on second language acquisition (SLA) and learning.
The contributions to this special issue address the question as to
whether and in which ways typological contrasts of languages play a
crucial role in how events are expressed in adult second language (L2).
In this regard, Slobin (1996), by means of his Thinking for Speaking
hypothesis, argues that differences across languages predispose native
speakers to view and to talk about events differently and this seems to
have important consequences in discourse conceptualisation and
production even at very advanced levels of L2 proficiency.
Research on typological variation across languages has been
conducted for decades and important advances have been made in the
domain. For instance, it is well known that Germanic vs Romance
native speakers differ in the ways they conceptualise and verbalise
events. Consequently, speakers diverge in the preferred perspective
selected with respect to conceptual domains such as aspect, time,
motion, modality, both at the sentence level (von Stutterheim 2003)
and at discourse level (Klein/von Stutterheim 2002; Carroll/Lambert
2006) and this is partly due to the typological properties of languages.
Most studies show the challenges adult L2 learners face in restructuring
these patterns in the process of acquisition of another language with a
different set of patterns. This hard task for learners implies full or
partial crosslinguistic influence (CLI, cf. McManus 2022 for a more
recent overview). The latter, often used interchangeably with transfer
(cf. Odlin 1989, 2003, 2005), refers to the search for similarities/
differences between one’s prior linguistic knowledge (from the L1 or
any other previously acquired languages) and learning, knowledge
and use of the new language (Jarvis/Pavlenko 2010: 1). CLI is a key
component of the L2 learning process, and it seems particularly
relevant when learners try to map L2 words into the concepts of their
L1. In this sense, SLA can be seen as cognitive restructuring (HijazoGascón 2021: 2), since learners can experience a cognitive dissonance
between the L2 lexical items and the L1 notions. The question of
whether L1 typological properties may be transferred or not in the L2
discourse has been largely explored for the cognitive domains of time
(e.g. von Stutterheim 2003 for ongoingness vs boundness; McManus/
Marsden 2017, Giuliano/Anastasio 2021a for time and aspect) and
Introduction: The Role
of Language Typology
on L2 Acquisition and Learning
Simona Anastasio
University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès, France
[email protected]
Patrizia Giuliano
University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Italy
[email protected]
DOI: 10.26379/IL2022002_000
4 I-LanD Journal. The role of language typology on L2 acquisiti on and learning · n. 2/2022 · eISSN 2532-764X
Simona Anastasio - Patrizia Giuliano
space (e.g. Cadierno/Ruiz 2006; Hendriks et al. 2008; Carroll et al.
2012; Hijazo-Gascón 2021) and, to a lesser extent, for syntax (e.g.
Giuliano/Anastasio 2021b). More recently, research has also focused
on the co-speech gestures in the expression of events. As such, the
literature shows that the ways L2 learners’ gestures can reveal how
they keep on gesturing as in their L1 rather than in the L2 native-like
manner (e.g. Gullberg 2009; Stam 2018, 2023).
In spite of the evident role of inter-typological contrasts during the
process of SLA (along with other important variables such as the L2
input exposure, the L2 proficiency level, individual factors) in terms of
CLI, there is little research that focuses on the impact of intratypological variation, i.e. typological differences or similarities
between languages of the same type (except for Ibarretxe-Antuñano
2009, 2015; Anastasio 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022). Additionally, the
impact of language typology is still far from being fully understood
and this is due to several reasons: a) native speakers’ preferences go
beyond the clear-cut typological classification when encoding the
intended message (Slobin 2006; von Stutterheim et al. 2009; Beavers
etal. 2010); b) most studies look at learners with an L1/L2 combination
belonging to different genetic and typological families and very few
consider the impact of the L1 when the learners’ languages in contact
are typologically close (except for Benazzo/Andorno 2017; Anastasio
2019, 2021, 2022; Saturno 2020; Hijazo-Gascón 2021) and can,
however, lack equivalent form-function categories.
This special issue brings together recent empirical research on
inter- and intratypological contrasts and their role on L2 acquisition
and learning. Specifically, drawing upon a functional perspective, this
special issue aims to add to the SLA field by offering recent empirical
studies relying on original data, involving: different types of tasks;
quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches; learners at
all stages of learning.
The key themes under focus explore morphological, syntactic, and
semantics differences between languages with their consequences for
framing events in L1 as well as in L2. In particular, three main domains
are investigated: a) affectedness; b) differential object marking; c)
space (static and dynamic location events). The data collected
represent a diversified selection of L1-L2 pairs: a) learners whose L1
and L2 are typologically and genetically closely-related (Isabel Repiso;
Jacopo Saturno); b) learners with an L1-L2 combination considered as
typologically distant (Christina Piot, Maria Hellerstedt); c) learners
whose L1 and L2 belong to different typological types but present
similarities in the linguistic devices for conveying events (Delia
Airoldi).
The first paper of this special issue deals with a still underexplored
domain in SLA functional approach, i.e. affectedness within Romance
languages. Specifically, Isabel Repiso examines the syntactic and
morphological realisation of affected arguments across two
typologically and genetically-related languages, French and Spanish,
and in L2 French of Spanish learners (A2-B2 levels of CEFR). The
crosslinguistic findings show different morpho-syntactic preferences
in French and Spanish productions to mark affectedness. As to L2
I-LanD Journal. The role of language typology on L2 acquisiti on and learning · n. 2/2022 · eISSN 2532-764X 5
Introduction: The Role of Language Typology on L2 Acquisition and Learning
results, CLI arises in terms of under/overuse of non-native like use of
L2 structures especially at less advanced stage. The author hypothesises
that, when confronting to the L2 verbalisation of a universal domain,
learners tend to rely on L2 constructions similar to those of the L1 as
a strategy to compensate lack of knowledge regarding TL uses.
Jacopo Saturno’s contribution also explores the morphosyntax
domain, by focusing on the differential object marking in nominal
morphology in L2 Polish of East Slavic learners (L1: Belorussian,
Russian, Ukrainian) of A1-B1 proficiency (CEFR). By means of a
quantitative study, the author confirms that CLI and universal
tendencies, such as markedness, may coexist as explanatory factors in
the differential object marking in an intercomprehension situation.
The subsequent three papers concern the role of typological
diversity in the expression of space in language. Christina Piot focuses
on multimodality in motion event construal. She first examines how
native speakers (French vs Dutch) express the same motion events in
their speech and co-speech gestures and then to what extent
multimodal and inter-/intralinguistic differences impact performances
of CLIL French learners of L2 Dutch (A1-B2 proficiency levels).
Participants were recruited in Belgium, whose context is not
particularly favourable for monolingual speakers, since it offers three
official languages: Flemish/Dutch speaking; Walloon/French speaking;
and, to a lesser extent, Ostbelgien German speaking. Analysis of
language use and gesture by native speakers shows not only
prototypical features of typological classifications, but also patterns
which are less typical of their language-category. As for L2 performance,
learners have their own thinking-for-speaking pattern which is inbetween the French and the Dutch tendencies. Moreover, the study
also highlights that gestures give information on event
conceptualisation.
With respect to a different language combination, Delia Airoldi’s
contribution also focuses on the expression of motion. Specifically, the
author compares the productions of native speakers of Italian and
German to the productions of German learners of L2 Italian
(intermediate and advanced) by using different types of stimuli. The
aim is to study inter- and intra-linguistic differences between German
and Italian and to see whether learners’ productions are target-like in
L2 motion event construal or still influenced by the L1 patterns.
In the final paper, Maria Hellerstedt discusses two types of space:
location and caused motion, as described by French and Swedish
native speakers and by intermediate and advanced French learners of
L2 Swedish. The larger goal is to investigate the semantic components
selected to describe static and dynamic location in L2 Swedish, namely
by means of posture verbs, and to identify learners’ strategies
(avoidance, over-using) justifying learners’ linguistic choices. On the
one hand, the paper shows the developmental trajectory of L2 Swedish
learners in the use of posture verbs in spatial events. On the other
hand, it highlights traces of CLI and other interlanguage strategies in
producing idiomatic posture verbs.
Taken together, the above contributions bring a timely update within
the research field of typology and L2 acquisition and learning by
6 I-LanD Journal. The role of language typology on L2 acquisiti on and learning · n. 2/2022 · eISSN 2532-764X
Simona Anastasio - Patrizia Giuliano
building on and complementing previous literature on the subject. In
particular, these papers provide empirical studies on different
linguistic domains, while offering new avenues for future research on
the issues under investigation in this special issue
Early-phase pandemic in Italy: Covid-19 spread determinant factors
No full textAlthough the Covid-19 pandemic is still ongoing, the environmental factors beyond virus transmission are only partially known. This statistical study has the aim to identify the key factors that have affected the virus spread during the early phase of pandemic in Italy, among a wide set of potential determinants concerning demographics, environmental pollution and climate. Because of its heterogeneity in pollution levels and climate conditions, Italy provides an ideal scenario for an ecological study. Moreover, the selected period excludes important confounding factors, as different virus variants, restriction policies or vaccines. The short-term relationship between the infection maximum increase and demographic, pollution and meteo-climatic parameters was investigated, including both winter-spring and summer 2020 data, also focusing separately on the two seasonal periods and on North vs Centre-South. Among main results, the importance of population size confirmed social distancing as a key management option. The pollution hazardous role undoubtedly emerged, as NO2 affected infection increase in all the studied scenarios, PM2.5 manifested its impact in North of Italy, while O3 always showed a protective action. Whereas higher temperatures were beneficial, especially in the cold season with also wind and relative humidity, solar irradiance was always relevant, revealing several significant interactions with other co-factors. Presented findings address the importance of the environment in Sars-CoV-2 spread and indicated that special carefulness should be taken in crowded areas, especially if they are highly polluted and weakly exposed to sun. The results suggest that containment of future epidemics similar to Covid-19 could be supported by reducing environmental pollution, achieving safer social habits and promoting preventive health care for better immune system response, as an only comprehensive strategy
Activity of citalopram on adenosine and serotonin circulating levels in depressed patients
No full textCitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used in the treatment of depression. Recent investigations have shown that it reduces in rat brain the release of excitatory amino neurotransmitters acid glutamate and aspartate by the involvement of the inhibitory neuromodulator adenosine. In this study, we described citalopram and serotonin levels in plasma and platelets, as well as plasma adenosine levels, in depressive patients during acute and chronic administration of citalopram. Twelve patients affected by Major Depression (DSM-IV) received a single oral dose of citalopram in the morning, 5 mg in the first 5 days, 10 mg from the 6th to the 10th day, and 20 mg from the 11th to the 40th day. Blood samples for citalopram, serotonin, and adenosine were collected at Time 0 and 4, 12 and 24 hours after drug administration on the first day of citalopram 5 mg, and on the first and the last day of citalopram 20 mg. Citalopram, serotonin, and adenosine concentrations in plasma increased after citalopram administration, and the highest levels were observed on the last day of treatment. Citalopram was detectable in platelets with concentrations showing a time variation similar to plasma values. Serotonin levels in platelets decreased after drug administration, reaching the lowest values on the last day of treatment
Pharmacokinetics and effect on adenosine plasma levels of nimodipine in patients affected by cerebral ischemia
No full textNimodipine:drug pharmacokinetics and plasma adenosine levels in patients affected by cerebral ischemia
No full textWhither Critical Management and Organization Studies? For a Performative Critique of Capitalist Flows in the Wake of the COVID‐19 Pandemic
No full textZanoni, P (corresponding author), Hasselt Univ, Hasselt, Belgium.
[email protected]
Post-Diversity, Precarious Work for All: Unmaking borders to govern labour in the Amazon warehouse
No full textThis paper investigates the (un)making of borders as a form of labour governmentality in one of Amazon's warehouses in Poland. Guided by a critical theory of borders as a form of labour governmentality under global capitalism, we identify organizational practices through which socio-demographic categories traditionally deployed as principles of organizing work (e.g., gender, age, ability) are unmade: the management of deskilled labour through an algorithmic system, the non-selective hiring of workers, the enforcement of social norms of interpersonal respect and a universal system of casualized employment. Together, these practices constitute workers as undifferentiated, interchangeable and equal labour, let them compete with each other under harshly exploitative conditions, and continuously dispose of the least productive among them, keeping all in structural uncertainty. The study contributes to the critical diversity literature by showing a 'post-diversity' governmentality that rests on equality, competition and precarization of labour as a whole, rather than segregation and marginalization through an 'ideal worker' norm. This labour governmentality operates by eliciting consent from historically subordinated workers and eliminating the advantage of historically relatively privileged ones. Unmaking borders within labour inside the organization, this governmentality at the same time crucially rests on borders outside it.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: We would like to acknowledge the funding Patrizia Zanoni received from the Flemish
Research Fund (FWO), grant no. G085119N and Miłosz Miszczyński from the National Science Centre, Poland, grant no. 2019/35/B/HS4/04136.
We would like to thank our respondents, the guest editors of the special issue, the anonymous reviewers, the members of the Chair Organization Studies of the Utrecht School of Governance, the members of SEIN - Identity, Diversity & Inequality Research at Hasselt University, the participants in EGOS Sub-theme ‘Diversity and intersectionality: Struggles for recognition and redistribution in organizations and (self-)entrepreneurship’ in 2021 in Amsterdam (online) and the EGOS sub-theme ‘Re-organizing imperfections at work: negotiating power and control in employment relations’ in 2022 in Vienna for their generous feedback on previous versions of the paper. Last but not least, we thank ERA-NET CHANSE for allowing us to further build on this line of research through the Humans in Digital Logistics (HuLog) project, grant no. 101004509 (2022-2025)
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