bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problem-baseret læring under en pandemi:
Authors: Lyngdorf Niels Erik Ruan , Brogaard bertel Lykke , Andersen Thomas , Ryberg Thomas
Published: June 2021

COVID-19 pandemien ændrede i 2020 hverdagen for uddannelsesinstitutioner verden over. Situationen har afkrævet svar, fra både de studerende og uddannelsernes side, på hvordan undervisningen kunne fortsætte på trods af restriktioner, der umuliggjorde ansigt-til-ansigt undervisning. Denne artikel analyserer, hvorledes strategier for digitalt understøttet læring er blevet oplevet og har udviklet sig fra forårets ”nødundervisning” til efterårets parallelle og hybride tilgange på et PBL-universitet i Danmark. Undersøgelsen bygger på et stort sæt kvalitative data, der indkapsler oplevelser af den digitale undervisning på tværs af samtlige fakulteter og institutter på Aalborg Universitet, i form af 22 fokusgruppeinterviews med undervisere og studerende foretaget fra september til november i efteråret 2020. Dataene er efterfølgende blevet transskriberet og kodet i NVivo og analyseret ved brug af tematisk analyse og tegner et holistisk billede af de stadigt igangværende digitale læringsaktiviteter, herunder tilgange til og betydningen af det fysiske rum og sociale relationer i hybrid problem- og projektbaseret læring. Artiklen bidrager således med viden om og perspektiver på, hvordan digital transformation kan understøtte aktiv og kollaborativ læring i deltagerstyrede læringsmiljøer, som eksempelvis PBL.
The Dynamics of the Social Network of Urban Farmers in Subak Sembung Denpasar
Authors: Darmawan Dwi  Putra , Arisena Gede Mekse Korri , Utami Ni Wayan Febriana , Krisnandika Anak Agung Keswari
Published: June 2021

A reduction in the number of farmers, urbanization, limited land, poverty, environmental changes, uncertainty of production results and limited access to resources are still being serious problems and have a direct effect on farmers' income. Facing that conditions, in order to survive, social networks are one of the adaptation strategies implemented by the farmers. This research aimed to examine the social phenomena of urban farmers in Subak Sembung, Denpasar City and to try to find the rational actions conducted by the farmers in dealing with economic problems that occurred. This research was conducted in March - October 2020. The location of Subak Sembung was chosen because Subak Sembung is a subak that still exists in Denpasar City. The total samples were 20% of the total population, which is 40 people. This research used qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative method in this research was using a case study, while the quantitative method used a survey. The research results showed that social, economic and environmental changes that occurred caused urban farmers to adapt. The adaptation pattern that was implemented was to apply a survival strategy and a double income pattern. The economic condition of urban farmers in Denpasar City was very good. The social network that was formed is a social network to fellow farmers, farmers to management subak, and farm shops. Action rationalism was performed in the context of improving the economy, working relations, and preserving culture.
From Turtura to Alfanus: Funerary Monuments in Early Mediaeval Rome
Authors: Osborne John
Published: June 2021

Malgré la longue tradition de monuments funéraires qu’a connue la ville de Rome, nous possédons très peu d’information sur les tombeaux qui y furent érigés au haut Moyen Âge, c’est-à-dire entre le moment où l’on cessa d’utiliser les catacombes comme lieu de sépulture et le supposé renouveau de monuments complexes produits par Arnolfo di Cambio et les Cosmati au xiiie siècle. Toutefois, des fragments dispersés de peinture et d’architecture qui subsistent suggèrent qu’il existait à Rome une tradition continue de monuments sépulcraux depuis la fin de la période classique jusqu’à la fin du Moyen Âge. Cela est surtout évident dans le cas de l’arcosolium des catacombes. Grâce à des sources écrites et à des fragments de peinture murale, nous savons que ce type de monument a été repris dans les églises médiévales de Rome, comme l’ont été les autres formes de sépulture des catacombes.
The Cool Twilight of Luxurious Chambers: Alma-Tadema's ‛A Dealer in Statues’
Authors: Brooke Janet M.
Published: June 2021

Étude sur un tableau de Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, acquis récemment par le Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal et intitulé Un marchand de sculptures (Opus xlix, 1867). L’auteur étudie l’accueil réservé par les critiques à l’oeuvre d’Alma-Tadema, de son vivant et après sa mort, afin de remettre dans son contexte historique la réévaluation actuelle de ses peintures. Étant donné qu’il s’agit d’une des premières oeuvres où Alma-Tadema exploite le thème de la vie quotidienne chez les anciens dans un décor à reconstitution archéologique, le tableau est d’abord examiné du point de vue de son sujet, soit le collectionneur ou le marchand d’oeuvres d’art dans la Rome antique. Un marchand de sculptures est la première d’une longue série de peintures portant précisément sur ce sujet et qui devaient valoir le succès à leur auteur. L’examen, tant du contenu archéologique que du style de l’oeuvre (en particulier son traitement de la profondeur spatiale) fait ressortir l’influence des peintres français « néo-grecs » du milieu du siècle, notamment de Gustave Boulanger et d’Ingres vers la fin de sa carrière, de même que la tradition flamande des tableaux de « cabinet d’amateur », plutôt que des peintres victoriens à qui l’on devait associer Alma-Tadema. On y voit que l’apport de l’artiste à l’interprétation de ce thème est de placer des personnages actuels, connus de l’époque, dans des décors de nature strictement archéologique, recréés à partir de toute une panoplie de sources originales étudiées in situ. Ces sources sont énumérées en fin d’article.
A Canadian Allegory by Rodolphe Bresdin: ‘L’Apothéose de Cartier’
Authors: Parke-Taylor Michael
Published: June 2021

En 1873, le graveur français Rodolphe Bresdin (1822-1885) réalisait sa vieille ambition d’immigrer au Nouveau- Monde. Il quitta Paris pour Montréal et l’on rapporte qu’il paya son voyage avec le prix obtenu lors d’un concours pour le dessin d’un billet de banque américain ou canadien. L’existence de ce billet de banque demeure tout aussi mystérieuse que l’activité de Bresdin durant ses quatre années passées au Canada. En 1874, il apparaît comme professeur de gravure dans le prospectus d’une école d’art montréalaise fondée et dirigée par un autre Français, l’abbé Joseph Chabert.

Les deux seules lithographies que l’on connaît de Bresdin durant son séjour au Canada sont mentionnées dans le catalogue raisonné de ses oeuvres compilé par Dirk Van Gelder. La plus intéressante est celle qui porte le numéro 140, intitulée Allégorie. Le sujet exact de cette allégorie, Sir Georges-Etienne Cartier, fut un temps confondu avec Jacques Cartier par la fille de Bresdin qui, de plus, dans ses mémoires, associe cette gravure à un énigmatique billet de banque dont nous n’avons aucune trace.

Commandée par La Minerve en hommage à Cartier décédé à Londres le 20 mai 1873, cette lithographie devait être offerte aux abonnés du journal. On ne sait cependant pas pourquoi, après une campagne enthousiaste de promotion, elle est demeurée inachevée et ne fut jamais distribuée dans le public. Quoi qu’il en soit, L’Apothéose de Cartier est le seul exemple qui subsiste d’un sujet spécifiquement canadien traité par Bresdin.
Formation of the goals of general education as part of the social system
Authors: Slukin Pavel Vladimirovich , Slukina Nadezhda Anatol'evna
Published: June 2021

The subject of this research is formation of the goals of general education. The majority of modern authors correlate formation of the goals of education with the traditions and trends existing in pedagogical practice; some authors formulate the goals of education based on the expert opinion; others rely on the futuristic forecasts of social development; and only few of them obtain educational goals from the science-based theories dedicated to personality development of a child. Such divergence of opinions allow speculating the goals of education, since the concepts of “social procurement”, “world traditions”, “harmonious personality development”, and “expert opinion”, although being virtually indeterminate and susceptible to personal fluctuations and political trends, are ultimately enshrined normative documents. This defines the relevance of the topic of formation of the goals of education regardless of personal, political, or other attitudes. The research problem is formulated in the following way: whether there is an invariant basis in the concept of the “goals of education”. This article explores the question of formation of the goals of general education from the perspective of systemology. Leaning on the theory of complex systems and the theory of signal transmission, the author outlines the goals of general education, which are interconnected by society and the state. The author describes how these goals are reflected in pedagogical practice and the Russian law “On Education”. The acquired results testify to the fact that the goals of general education are focused on the three aspects: inclusion of a child into the “social norms” subsystem; child’s development for effective resistance to the “external environment”; child’s development for effective interaction within the “educational structure” subsystem. All the identified goals are crucial, as they resemble the structure of relations between society, the state, and external environment. All other goals of education either correlated with the three aforementioned goals, or are not related to education. A hypothesis is advances on the hierarchy of goals: 1) preservation of society; 2) relationship with the external environment; efficiency of such relationship in the society. All these goals are reflected in the modern pedagogical practice, which may suggest the triviality of the formulated conclusions. In the scheme described by the author, they are not obtained empirically, but rather indicate systemic relationship with society and the state. The novelty of this research lies in justification of reasons for forming the goals of education. The provided formulizations allow to accurately and logically outline the strategy and structure of educational policy, both on the federal level and on the level each individual pedagogue.
Video training as a means of developing artistic skills of elementary school students
Authors: Potapova Irina Vladimirovna
Published: June 2021

The subject of this research is video training as a means of developing artistic skills of elementary school students. The relevance of the selected topic is substantiated by the rapidly changing world and implementation of new technologies in education system. Analysis of the forms of video transmission and distance learning allows determining the means aimed at the development of artistic skills of elementary school students. The author formulates the goal and subject of research that focus on searching for the new teaching techniques for developing artistic skills of elementary school students. The conclusion is made that the process of video training prompts the development of aesthetic, cognitive and activity skills of the students. It is indicated that the use of information technologies in the modern system of education is becoming increasingly relevant. The novelty of this research lies in implementation of video training in working with elementary school students as a means of developing their artistic skills. The variety of video learning techniques help to develop different angles of visual activity in elementary school students. Such new approach to learning effectively develops artistic skills of elementary school students. Video training allows you to do the task or repeat the material at any convenient time.
On the effectiveness and role of university elective modules of artistic orientation: the experience of implementing the elective module “Theory and Practice of Contemporary Art" in Moscow City Pedagogical University
Authors: Matyunina Daria Stanislavovna , Nozdracheva Mariya Viktorovna
Published: June 2021

This article describes the practical experience of a group of pedagogues, organizers of the elective module “Theory and Practice of Contemporary Art” in Moscow City Pedagogical University (D. S. Matyunina, M. V. Nozdracheva, M. A. Semenova). The authors share their opinion on the role and effectiveness of the system of elective modules in modern university education, outline the primary tasks, and discuss the peculiarities of teaching general university courses of artistic orientation. The focus attention is the questions of motivation of students, who chose the module, possibility of flexible arrangement of the content of disciplines thereof in accordance with attainment level and requests of the student audience. The researchers assume that elective courses allow the students to adjust the content of their professional education. Based on the three-year experience of conducting a joint elective course, the co-authors conclude that elective courses can expand the professional competencies of students in adjacent fields, as well as give confidence to the students majoring in other disciplines to change their own educational trajectory. The article is addressed to the pedagogues and students of higher education institutions.
The peculiarity of syntactic constructions of Lezgian folk riddles
Authors: Gasharova Aida Ruslanovna
Published: June 2021

The subject of this research is the peculiarity of syntactic constructions of Lezgain folk riddles. The object of this research is the aphoristic genre of Lezgian folklore – the riddles. Along with other folklore genres, riddles hold a remarkable place in the folklore poetics Lezgins, featuring prevalence of storytelling. The relevance the selected topic lies in the absence of specific research dedicated to comprehensive analysis of this genre of Lezgian folklore. The article illustrates the syntactic constructions of folk riddles of Lezgins. The conducted brief syntactic analysis is valuable for further research of this topic, since the linguistic aspect of studying folk riddles is yet to be explored. The scientific novelty is defined by the fact that Lezgian folk riddles, which are one of the ancient genres, require in-depth study. The conclusion is made that Lezgian folk riddles use mononuclear syntactic constructions to achieve concision in describing a propounded object or phenomenon. The interrogative or narrative sentences are commonly used. There are also riddles with compound syntactic structure. The acquired results can be used in the practical work of folklorists and linguists.
The problem of identifying key semantic components in the abstracting of a scientific text
Authors: Balygina Elena Anatol'evna , Yarovikova Yuliya Vladimirovna , Ermolova Tat'yana Viktorovna , Krukovskaya Oksana Aleksandrovna
Published: June 2021

The ever-increasing volume of scientific publications determines the high interest of researchers in abstracting as one of the ways to present the content of the source text in a concise form. This determines the relevance of this work, which discusses the problem of transition from the primary text to its abstract presentation. In particular, using the example of an English-language scientific article on social psychology, an attempt is made to study the criteria for identifying key semantic components in the process of abstracting at the stage of understanding the source text. A theoretical review of scientific papers covering the problem of abstracting a scientific text, as well as a comparative analysis of the source and secondary texts of the article under consideration, allowed us to formulate the main patterns of interpretation of the logical-semantic and discursive structure of the source text as one of the stages of the abstracting process. It was found that in the process of understanding the text, the recipient, analyzing the connections between statements, integrates them into a holistic semantic formation, based on his own assumptions about the possible functional purpose of this text fragment. At the end of the process of understanding the text, the recipient deduces knowledge about the communicative intention of the author of the text and the role of each of the sections of the text in its implementation. It seems that this knowledge becomes the basis for the formation of a propositional model of the source text, which serves as the basis for creating the text of the abstract.
Genre analysis of the text in the context of the structure and composition of the work of Sh. Selim "Shamil Alyadin, about charyks and a penknife"
Authors: Sulaimanov Mukhamed-Ali Usmanovich
Published: June 2021

The relevance of the article is due to the lack of research in the field of genre analysis of the text in the context of structure and composition in the Crimean Tatar literature in general and on the example of the work of Sh. Selim "Shamil Alyadin, about charyks and a penknife" in particular. The subject of the study is a genre analysis of the text in the context of structure and composition on the example of the work under study. The purpose of this article is not an attempt to define any particular genre or its features in a work, which in this case is practically impossible, but an analysis of the relations of various literary and journalistic genres in the context of the structure and composition of the text under study. The main conclusions of the study are that in the work under study there is an "ambivalent" hybrid genre form of a deeply emotional diary of memories (essay) with a pronounced expression and literary-critical essay (article), with a clear logical methodology. Hidden genre forms of monologue, correspondence dialogue or discussion also manifest themselves in the text. The author enters, if not into a direct, then into a reflexive dialogue with his characters and the reader. The synthesis and interaction of different genre forms forms the originality of the work, focusing the reader's attention on the ethics of literary craft. If we talk about the general unifying genre of the work, then this is spiritual and intellectual prose. Thus, the analysis of the structural and compositional features of the work allowed us to identify important, although not absolute criteria for determining and interconnecting adjacent genres, which in turn made it possible to identify the main and auxiliary genre forms of the text under study.
Linguistic manipulation as a method of influencing public opinion in the time of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Andreeva Elena Vasilevna , Arkhipova Mariya Petrovna
Published: June 2021

The subject of this research is the effective methods of linguistic manipulation and communication, which allowed controlling the situation to prevent public panic and destabilization of situation in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) during the pandemic. The authors explore such phenomena as persuasion and linguistic manipulation, analyze the existing in Russian and foreign practice scientific and practical approaches towards using linguistic manipulation in sociopolitical discourse. Based on the example of speeches of the Head of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) A. S. Nikolayev, the authors analyze the linguistic means and techniques used in the course of development of epidemiological situation for influencing public opinion in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia); determine the reasons and frequency of application of such techniques, the degree of persuasion of public opinion by the head of Yakutia depending on the used communication channels. The research employs the website content of the Government of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), regional news sites, and addressed messages in social networks. The main results lies in the conclusion that the most effective methods of linguistic manipulation are persuasion, convincing and prompting, which affect emotions and feelings of the people and appeal to the key social agenda – safety of the population in the time of pandemic. It is noted that social networks are the effective communication channels, which is justified by the geographical and sociopolitical peculiarities of the region, such as large territory preservation of the elements of traditional political cultures (power of the authority, leader, direct communication with the government and a sense being protected). Linguistic manipulation allows influencing public opinion, avoiding mass disturbances, instilling the sense of security into population.
The gender perspective for a changing city. Time, Space and Covid in Milan
Authors: Zajczyk Francesca
Published: June 2021

The city has become a space of diversity. To be sustainable, inclusive and less unequal, urban policy and policies must therefore take these differences into account. In this moving film, the female component represents a fundamental aspect. For a heavy cultural question, in Italy there has been a delay in society with respect to the idea of equal opportunities between men and women. Italy remains far from the watchword - mainstreaming - which Europe, on the other hand, has begun to develop and disseminate. And it is a European document that for the first time introduces the theme of the “right to the city for women”. There is certainly no shortage of innovative cases also promoted by female figures in Italian local administrations. In practice, however, a systematic overview is lacking. Apart from the issue of sustainable mobility, temporal policies are particularly important for a gender sensitive territorial planning. The interesting and innovative aspect is the transversality of the temporal dimension, both in the lives of individuals and in the social organization of urban space. The lockdown canceled the diversification of the times of daily life and the use of urban space: “time” considered a certain fact, never questioned, has become a precious, quality asset; through new rhythms for a new urban livability and mostly for a better life of women. For this to happen, however, the city must change its skin, it must change its thinking and above all its rhythms. And this is precisely the perspective recalled in a document drawn up by the Municipality of Milan: “Milan 2020 - Adaptation strategy” (Municipality of Milan, 2020). Therefore, a new Territorial Schedule Plan, whose specificity is the transversality of the temporal dimension. A new city management tool through the organization of time, from timetables to accessibility with particolar attention to the prospect of a “city 15 minutes away”. Promoting women’s well-being satisfies collective and community interests and improves the quality of all: women and men.
Un politico ‘minore’ di età demostenica: Egesippo misophilippos
Authors: Gallo Luigi
Published: June 2021

The essays analyses the testimonies regarding Hegesippos, an Athenian politician who was active in the age of Demosthenes and for some time was one of his main supporters. His political activity was not intense until the second half of the Forties, when he became one of the leaders of the anti-Macedonian group, as it is showed by his speech On Halonnesos. In the Lykourgan age, instead, he did not have a relevant role on the Athenian political scene anymore.
Pietas popularis? Riflessi di ideologia graccano-popolare nei tipi monetali di M. Herennius (RRC 308)
Authors: Zanin Manfredi
Published: June 2021

Around the year 108 B.C., the triumvir monetalis M. Herennius issued denarii which bore the portrait of Pietas on the obverse and one of the Catanean brothers carrying his parent on the reverse. This article aims to demonstrate that previous interpretations of these types as narrow allusions to the history of the gens are fallacious. Accordingly, new arguments are provided in order to give value to the political-ideological context of the last decades of the II century B.C.: in these years, pietas emerged alongside libertas as a fundamental value of the popularis ideological construct. This tradition was inspired by the oratorical and literary self-representation of Gaius Gracchus, that made his pietas erga fratrem and the pious portrayal of the family an important pillar of his legitimiz ing agenda. The political heirs of the Gracchi, such as C. Memmius and L. Apuleius Saturninus, continued to claim vengeance for the killed brothers and to blame the behaviour of the optimates – so that pietas remained a profitable slogan of the popularis political tradition. In this respect, Aetna’s eruptions in the Gracchan period and their explanation as prodigia formed an ideal humus for actualising the type of the Catanean brothers as catalyzing reference to the pietas popularis.
Pianificazione ambientale e sociale per le Nuove Vie della Seta. Il caso della Banca Asiatica d’Investimento per le Infrastrutture
Authors: Brombal Daniele
Published: June 2021

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) highlights the role of large infrastructures in promoting socioeconomic progress. Environmental and social planning will play a pivotal role to ensure that the BRI is tuned with the protection of nature and societal needs. This paper appraises environmental and social safeguards employed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), one of BRI’s key actors. Results show that their rationale, scope, and function are aligned with international practice. Their efficacy however may be jeopardized by the limited capacity of the Bank to oversee the screening and assessment of impacts. More importantly, AIIB’s safeguards endorse an obsolete conceptualization of sustainability, centred on the mitigation of impacts, rather than on the transformation of socioeconomic development patterns.
Non solo strade: l’imponente sistema di infrastrutture e comunicazioni intermodali finalizzate alla realizzazione della Nuova Via della Seta
Authors: Lucchesi Flavio
Published: June 2021

The One Belt One Road initiative is fundamental in the priority projects of the Chinese government, as it falls within the objectives of revitalization of the national economy through the increase in GDP and the creation of new international links. Consequently, in these years China is developing a great economic integration plan based also on a complex set of transport and logistics infrastructures. The construction of a complex of highways, high-speed railways, ports, airports, oil pipelines and telecommunications networks is in progress, aimed at increasing internal economic, financial and cultural relations and exchanges, as well as those between Beijing and many Asian, European, African states. It is therefore particularly interesting to try to grasp the role played by Italy in this ambitious project that – once completed – is destined to redesign the commercial and financial network on a world scale.
Tradurre per comprendere: colpa, pentimento e rinascita in Semejnoe sčast’e di Lev Tolstoj e nella traduzione italiana di Clemente Rebora
Authors: Bonola Anna
Published: June 2021

This essay deals with the issue of guilt, repentance and rebirth in the short novel Semejnoe sčast’e (Family Happiness) by Lev N. Tolstoy (1859). The author first considers the concepts of ‘offense’, ‘repentance’ and ‘forgiveness’ through an analysis of the Russian terminology used by Tolstoy for these semantic fields (obida, dosada, vina, raskajanie, pokajanie); next, in an analysis of Clemente Rebora’s Italian translation (1920), special attention is paid to the differences from the original text that signal the translator’s interpretive reading, which, at the same time, becomes a tool for understanding it. It is shown how, in the transition from Russian into Italian, semantic shifts and phonetic symbolism add a mystical tension to the original Tolstoyan text which is typical of the poetry of Clemente Rebora.
Emotional face recognition and EEG measures
Authors: Mahler Walter , Reder Sandra
Published: June 2021

Twenty one adults looked at emotional (sad, happy, fearful) or neutral faces. EEG measures showed that emotional significance of face (stimulus type) modulated the amplitude of EEG, especially for theta and delta frequency band power. Also, emotional discrimination by theta was more distributed on the posterior sites of the scalp for the emotional stimuli. Thus, this frequency band variation could represent a complex set of cognitive processes whereby selective attention becomes focused on an emotional-relevant stimulus.
Recognition of sign language gestures using neural networks
Authors: Vamplew Simon
Published: June 2021

This paper describes the structure and performance of the SLARTI sign language recognition system developed at the University of Tasmania. SLARTI uses a modular architecture consisting of multiple feature-recognition neural networks and a nearest-neighbour classifier to recognise Australian sign language (Auslan) hand gestures.
Perceptual complexity of faces and voices modulates cross-modal behavioral facilitation effects
Authors: Joassin Frédéric , Maurage Pierre , Campanella Salvatore
Published: June 2021

Joassin et al. (Neuroscience Letters, 2004, 369, 132-137) observed that the recognition of face-voice associations led to an interference effect, i.e. to decreased performances relative to the recognition of faces presented in isolation. In the present experiment, we tested the hypothesis that this interference effect could be due to the fact that voices were more difficult to recognize than faces. For this purpose, we modified some faces by morphing to make them as difficult to recognize as the voices. Twenty one healthy volunteers performed a recogniton task of previously learned face-voice associations in 5 conditions: voices (A), natural faces (V), morphed faces (V30), voice-natural face associations (AV) and voice-morphed faces associations (AV30). As expected, AV led to interference, as it was less well and slower performed than V. However, when faces were as difficult to recognize as voices, their simultaneous presentation produced a clear facilitation, AV30 being significantly better and faster performed than A and V30. These results demonstrate that matching or not the perceptual complexity of the unimodal stimuli modulates the potential cross-modal gains of the bimodal situations.
Trends in social neuroscience: from biological motion to joint actions
Authors: Crivelli Davide , Balconi Michela
Published: June 2021

It has been argued that our social nature represents what makes us human. Social neuroscience aims at exploring biological basis of social cognition, interested in how social behaviour and context can influence short-term and long-term brain functioning and how the brain functioning can foster, create social behaviour, and actively process social context. This paper focuses on the recent progress in social perception and cognition by a neuropsychological point of view, and opens some questions. After a brief introduction on social neuroscience development and on neural correlates that have been associated to social-related functions, we will outline biological motion and joint action topics, highlighting the evolutionary course that links them.
Rieti’s elderly people project: Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Recognition norms
Authors: Nicolò Enrico , Massimetti Maria Carla , Stefanini Alessandro , San Martini Pietro , Roncacci Sabina
Published: June 2021

Normative data for recognition trial in the Italian RAVLT’s doesn’t exist. Our purpose is to define preliminary Italian norms of the Recognition Trial. Our data analysis is based on a sample of healthy italian subject (N = 397; Male = 166; Female = 231) aged between 52 and 86 (mean age = 69,12). The results show a significant effect of level of education, age, and gender on Rey AVLT Recognition performance. These predictors account respectively for 18.2%, 6.7% and 1.6% of the explained variance. Due to the low size of the increment (1.6%) due to the predictor gender, considering the level of significance associated with it (Sig. F Change = 0.002), we decided to give separate norms for males and females. We also included descriptive statistics concerning the Immediate Recall and Delayed Recall trial of the Rey Word test.
Visuo-spatial construction in patients with frontal and parietal lobe lesions
Authors: Kashyap Himani , Kumar Keshav J. , Rao Shobini L. , Devi B. Indira
Published: June 2021

Visuospatial construction, traditionally viewed as a putative parietal function, also requires sustained attention, planning, organization strategies and error correction, and hence frontal lobe mediation. The relative contributions of the frontal and parietal lobes are poorly understood. To examine the contributions of parietal, frontal lobes, as well as right and left cerebral hemispheres to visuospatial construction. The Stick Construction Test for two-dimensional construction and the Block Construction Test for three-dimensional construction were administered pre-surgically to patients with lesions in the parietal lobe (n = 9) and the frontal lobe (n = 11), along with normal control subjects (n = 20) matched to the patients on age (+⁄- 3 years), gender, education (+⁄- 3 years) and handedness. The patients were significantly slower than the controls on both two-dimensional and three-dimensional tests. Patients with parietal lesions were slower than those with frontal lesions on the test of three-dimensional construction. Within each lobe patients with right and left sided lesions did not differ significantly. It appears that tests of three-dimensional construction might be most sensitive to visuospatial construction deficits. Visuospatial construction involves the mediation of both frontal and parietal lobes. The function does not appear to be lateralized. The networks arising from the parieto-occipital areas and projecting to the frontal cortices (e.g., occipito-frontal fasciculus) may be the basis of the mediation of both lobes in visuospatial construction. The present findings need replication from studies with larger sample sizes.
The altered state of consciousness: clinical assessment and monitoring
Authors: Inzaghi Maria Grazia , Sozzi Matteo
Published: June 2021

Aim of this work is to provide an overview on the main clinical issues concerning disorder of consciousness (DOC). After a briefly description of the debate on clinical differences in states of altered consciousness, we report the description of clinical features of the three different levels of DOC: coma, vegetative state, and minimally conscious state, according to the Multi Society Task Force for Persistent Vegetative State (1994) and the Aspen Work Group (Giacino et al., 2002). We will then describe an observation procedure, stated by Whyte and coworkers in 1999, based upon a single-case methodology aimed to assess responsiveness and its variations. At least, we will give a description of the evidences on stimulation treatment efficacy, as we collected in occasion of the last Consensus Conference in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation held in Siena (Italy) in 2010. Our conclusions confirm the lack of evidences concerning the efficacy of treatment for recovery of consciousness in agreement with other authors and we will finally provide suggestions for future research.
Animal models and the embodiment of emotions
Authors: Berlucchi Giovanni
Published: June 2021

This review draws some parallels between the results of experiments, none very recent, of rewarding and aversive brain stimulation in brain stem sectioned cats and the blunting of negative emotions which occurs in the human locked-in syndrome. Within the framework of theories of embodied emotions, it is suggested that a participation of bodily inputs to cerebral mechanisms of emotion is required for negative but not positive emotions.
Patient’s choice of observational strategy for early-stage prostate cancer
Authors: Bellardita Lara , Graffigna Guendalina , Donegani Simona , Villani Daniela , Villa Silvia , Tresoldi Veronica , Marenghi Cristina , Magnani Tiziana , Valdagni Riccardo
Published: June 2021

Active Surveillance (AS) may represent for selected patients with low risk, potentially indolent prostate cancer (PCa) a viable alternative to radical therapies, thus reducing the risk of over-treatment. Researchers and clinicians emphasized that the choice of AS may be a controversial one as patients have the chance to avoid the side effects of radical therapies but also the burden of living with an untreated PCa. The aim of our study is to focus on the decision-making process leading patients to elect AS amongst different therapeutic options. An observational, qualitative study was conducted. Between 2007 and 2009, 46 patients (mean age 67 years) were administered a semi-structured interview at enrolment in the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance protocol. The focus of the interview was on the first question, i.e. “Why did you choose AS?”. Interviews were audio-recorded and verbatim transcriptions were made. Content analyses were performed by using a text-driven, automatic software (T-lab). Four clusters of themes emerged. In cluster 1, the most meaningful theme was the ambivalence in front of different therapeutic options. In cluster 2, the focus was on patients’ assessment of the aggressiveness of their PCa. In cluster 3, the topic was the collection of information from specialists. In cluster 4, the main theme was the collection of data through informal sources. Patients are motivated to opt for AS based on the subjective evaluation of medical information as well as characteristics of their psycho-social context. Understanding motivation for AS will help clinicians support patients in making the best choice for them.
Is the N170 face specific? Controversy, context, and theory
Authors: Earp Brian D. , Everett Jim A.C.
Published: June 2021

In cognitive science, there is an ongoing debate about the architecture of the mind: does it consist of a number of mental organs each managing a different function in isolation, or is it more of general processor, adaptable to a wide range of tasks? One corner of this debate has centered on face processing. This is because face-perception is crucial to normal human functioning and some evidence shows that faces may be processed by the brain in a privileged way compared to other types of stimuli. For example, in EEG brain recordings, the N170 is a characteristic signal that occurs after a participant is exposed to an image of a face, but it is much less pronounced when other stimuli are shown. More than 15 years of research on the N170 face effect have yielded the standard view that the N170 is at the very least face-sensitive, and possibly even face-specific, that is, indexing modular processes tied exclusively to facial geometries. The specificity claim is clearly stronger, and hence subject to significant controversy; while the more conservative sensitivity claim had been regarded (until recently) as effectively settled. Nevertheless, Thierry and colleagues, in a contentious 2007 article, sought to undermine even this conservative consensus: they argued that the apparent face-responsiveness of the N170 in prior research was due to systematic flaws in experimental design. Fiery debate has followed. In this review, we put the debate in its historical and philosophical context, and try to spell out some of the theoretical and logical assumptions that underlie the claims of the competing camps. We then show that the best available evidence counts, at least partially, against the Thierry et al. construal of the N170. Accordingly, it would be premature to abandon the conservative account of the N170, according to which it is – minimally – responsive to faces. We conclude by returning to the more controversial claim about face-specificity, and try to clarify what such a view would entail from a theoretical standpoint.
The Politics of Animal Rights Advocacy
Authors: Stallwood Kim
Published: June 2021

The main aim of this paper is to make the case that the politics of animal rights advocacy rests with establishing the moral and legal status of animals as a public policy issue. Presently, animal rights is primarily framed as an optional lifestyle choice. It is not understood as a matter for mainstream politics, including public policy, the policies of political parties, regulations and legislation. Starting with Barbara Noske’s concept of the animal industrial complex, I consider the present status of the many traditions, cultural norms, economic and other incentives which license our instrumental use animals for human gain. I propose a five-part evaluation process of social movements and use it to evaluate the modern animal rights movement. I critique its present strategy with its emphasis on personal lifestyle choice as inadequate in challenging the animal industrial complex. I conclude the modern animal rights movement must implement a long-term strategy which advances animal issues as public policy, which is in addition to its present strategy promoting optional vegan, crueltyfree lifestyle choice.
Human Relationship with Animals: Reading the Book of Tobit in the Light of Christian Tradition
Authors: Nicora Gianfranco , Massaro Alma
Published: June 2021

In this paper we argue that the Book of Tobit, by presenting a new model of companionship between a human being and a dog, constitutes a vision of a future era, where humans and animals will live as fellows rather than rivals. In so doing we focus on the reading of the Holy Scriptures placing emphasis on the role of animals, moving from the Book of Tobit through the book of Genesis, to Jesus’ new alliance and the promise of new heavens and a new earth. We also show that the Book of Tobit, even if it is deeply encouched in the anthropocentric view particular to Jewish culture, includes insights of non-violence toward animals as well as vegetarianism that are both fundamental and prophetic aspects of the new ethic suggested by Isaiah’s prophecies and by the good news announced in the New Testament.
La politica fiscale nel settore turistico: un confronto internazionale
Authors: Quarto Angelo
Published: June 2021

Fiscal policy plays a key role in the competitiveness of the economic system of a country, and in particular in tourism. Specific tourism taxes such as airport taxes, accommodation, etc. have to be added to the already high tax burden on all the productive sectors. Such taxes increase the level of prices of tourist products and services, further reducing the competitiveness of the sector. Some studies show that the tourism sector is experiencing high levels of demand elasticity with respect to price, just a slight increase in the prices of tourism products (due to the increase in taxes) in a country is enough to lose tourists, as they turn to cheaper destinations. The measures of the economic policy should take into account the potential of the tourism sector to generate income and employment, addressing interventions for the sector to draw a policy that increases the competitiveness of the sector and that is focused on what is happening in competitor countries. Starting from the competitiveness of Italian tourism, the study will draw a picture on taxes in the tourism sector, analyzing the positive and negative effects of this approach, and then comparing the Italian situation with other European countries.
Structure and thermoelectric properties of In1+xTe compounds
Authors: Fan Ren-Jie , Jiang Xian-Yan , Tao Qi-Rui , Mei Qi-Cai , Tang Ying-Fei , Chen Zhi-Quan , Su Xian-Li , Tang Xin-Feng ,   State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China,   School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China,   International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Published: June 2021

The inharmonic lattice vibration induced by the lone pair electrons of In+ in the InTe compound produces its intrinsically low thermal conductivity, thus InTe compound shows a great potential serving as an intermediate temperature thermoelectric material. However, its poor electrical transport properties result in an inferior thermoelectric performance. In this study, a series of single-phase In1+xTe (x = 0, 0.001, 0.003, 0.005, 0.01) polycrystalline samples were prepared by a melting-annealing process combined with spark plasma sintering. The influence of In content on the electronic and thermal transport properties for In1+xTe compounds was systematically studied. As the temperature rises, the predominant carrier scattering mechanism changes from grain boundary scattering to acoustic phonon scattering, leading to an unusual semiconductor-to-metal transition in In1+xTe samples. Positron annihilation spectroscopy and electrical transport properties demonstrate that In vacancies are the main source for the charge carrier. Adding extra In effectively suppresses the concentration of In vacancies, reduces the carrier concentration and improves the Seebeck coefficient of In1+xTe samples. The power factor of the In excess samples in the test temperature range is greatly improved in comparison with that of the pristine InTe sample. In1.005Te sample achieves a maximum power factor of 0.60 mW·m–1·K–2 at 585 K, which is approximately 40% higher than the pristine InTe sample. In addition, the In excess sample maintains a thermal conductivity as intrinsically low as the thermal conductivity of pristine InTe, and the total thermal conductivity of the In1.01Te sample at 773 K is 0.46 W·m–1·K–1. Owing to the improvement of the power factor and the low thermal conductivity, the ZT value of the In excess sample is greatly improved in the entire measure temperature range. A maximum ZT value of 0.71 is attained at 750 K for In1.003Te sample, and a maximum ZTave of 0.39 is achieved for In1.005Te sample in a temperature range of 300–750 K, which is about 23% higher than that of pristine InTe sample.
Levels and subject
Authors: Mageli Ingvild
Published: June 2021

In this study, we use an experimental survey approach to if the degree of positionality is sensitive to variations in reference levels and targeted subject. Based on previous research in economics and psychology, our hypotheses are that 1) people are more positional when they choose between alternatives with relatively high consumption levels, and 2) people are more positional when they choose for a hypothetical grandchild, than for themselves. We measure positional preferences in five domains – Income, housing, vacation and SAT-score, and test our hypotheses on a large representative sample from the US (N=1300).  As social demographic indicators, we include information about gender, birth year, children or grandchildren, individual income, vacation days, size of home and reported SAT-score. Our results suggest that the instruments commonly used to elicit positional preferences are relatively insensitive to variations in consumption levels and targeted subject, with a few important exceptions. First, we find that positional preferences for income and SAT scores depend on the reference level used in the hypothetical choice scenarios. Second, our results suggest that people are significantly more likely to choose the positional option for housing when they choose for a hypothetical grandchild than when they choose for themselves.