The ontologization of Romani: An Italian study on the cross-categorization approach

This research aims to study the ontologization process of the Romani minority in Abruzzo region (Italy), characterized by the longstanding presence of a group of sedentary Romani, and to test the cross-categorization approach using a specific dependent measure such as the ontologization of the Italian Romani target. A questionnaire was administered to 475 Italian participants, in which the respondents were asked to attribute 6 human positive, 6 human negative, 6 animal positive and 6 animal negative associates to three targets: Italians (ingroup), Italian Romani (ingroup–outgroup) and Romani (outgroup). Participants showed evidence that they used human/animal associates differently for the ingroup and for the outgroup members. Romani groups were ascribed more animal than human characteristics, while Italians were described as more human than the Romani and Italian Romani group, showing the ontologization process of the Romani minority and the superhumanization of the Italian ingroup. Moreover, the cross-categorized Italian Romani target was the most discriminated against in that it was attributed more animal negative associates than the Romani and Italian ones. Since modern racism could take the form of the denial of the humanness and the attribution of animality to outgroup members, our data emphasize the importance of taking account of the persistence of negative attitudes so deep-rooted as those felt towards the Romani.     

The political economy of cultural spending: evidence from Italian cities

We investigate the relationship between Italian municipalities’ spending on culture in the 1990s and 2000s and a number of political variables—such as a left/right dummy, an election-year dummy and a term-limit indicator—controlling, among other things, for economic and socio-demographic characteristics of the population, the level of human capital and instruction, proxies of social capital, the extent of private financing of cultural provisions and touristic and artistic relevance. We use a panel-data regression analysis and find that, indeed, some determinants of public expenditures on culture are political. In particular, we identify an electoral cycle in which the incumbent spends less on culture in an election year. This result is robust for variations in the empirical model accounting for both the persistence and spatial interdependence of cultural expenditures by municipalities.     

Ammonium oxalate treatment: Evaluation by μ-Raman mapping of the penetration depth in different plasters

This study is focused on the evaluation by μRaman mapping of the penetration depth achieved by ammonium oxalate treatment in different plaster specimens, a hot issue in the conservation field. The role of the carbonatic aggregate particles and the influence of the different variables of the treatment on the penetration depth and on the distribution of the newly-formed phase (whewellite) have been ascertained. Based on the results of μRaman mapping, analyses with Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy have been carried out in order to observe the whewellite crystals and the carbonatic aggregate particles involved in the reaction with ammonium oxalate.     

An integrated model of school students’ academic achievement and life satisfaction. Linking soft skills,extracurricular activities,self-regulated learning,motivation, and emotions

The role of soft skills at school is still debated, but they have emerged as important factors for students’ academic achievement and life satisfaction. This study focuses on the combined influence of soft skills (in terms of adaptability, curiosity, leadership, initiative, perseverance, and social awareness), extracurricular activities, achievement emotions, self-regulated learning, motivation, and cognitive abilities on academic achievement and life satisfaction. A sample of 603 students (5th to 12th graders) participated in the study. The results of a Bayesian path analysis based on meta-analytical priors show that soft skills were (i) directly positively associated with students’ achievement emotions, self-regulated learning, motivation, and life satisfaction and (ii) indirectly related with academic achievement through the mediation of self-regulated learning and motivation. On the other hand, only soft skills and achievement emotions were directly related to life satisfaction. Extracurricular activities showed a positive association with both soft skills and cognitive abilities. These results are the first to demonstrate the importance of soft skills and extracurricular activities when integrating all the above-mentioned factors in a model of students’ academic achievement and life satisfaction.

     

Non-structural injection grouts with reduced water content: Changes induced by the partial substitution of water with alcohol

Conventional grouting – used to stabilise delaminated plaster – typically involves the use of water as suspension medium. Water can be dangerous when water-sensitive original materials are present and can cause the solubilisation of salts, leading to their re-crystallisation on drying. Ethyl alcohol is a less effective solvent for soluble salts and generally does not affect the original materials. This is the reason why it was used as a partial substitute for water in grout preparations in the present research. Three water–ethyl alcohol-based grouts were compared with the correspondent water-based grout. The working properties and performance characteristics of the injection grouts with reduced water content were measured to assess their suitability for use on historic plasters.     

Individual differences in memory updating in relation to arithmetic problem solving

The study investigates the relationship between memory updating and arithmetic word problem solving. Two groups of 35 fourth graders with high and low memory-updating abilities were selected from a sample of 89 children on the basis of an updating task used by Palladino et al. [Memory & Cognition 29 (2002) 344]. The two groups were required to solve a set of arithmetic word problems and to recall relevant information from another set of problems. Several span tasks, a computation test, and the PMA verbal subtest were also administered. The group with a high memory-updating ability performed better in problem solving, recalling text problems, and in the computation test. The two groups did not differ in the PMA verbal subtest or in the digit and word spans. Results were interpreted as supporting the importance of updating ability in problem solving and of the substantial independence between memory updating and problem solving on one hand and verbal intelligence on the other.     

Development and validation of the Dynamic Career Scale (DCS): a psychodynamic conceptualization of career adjustment

International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance - The purpose of this research was to develop and validate a new instrument, the Dynamic Career Scale (DCS), which measures four...     

Risk Assessment and Preservative Measures for Volatile Organic Compounds in Museum Showcases

ABSTRACT

The first step in preservative measures for artworks in airtight showcases is the exclusion of outgassing from construction materials or, at least, limitation of the emissions to a minimum acceptable level if the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated may be qualified as harmless. Once it is ascertained that the objects in the showcases are responsible for VOC emissions, a step forward becomes necessary, implying showcase ventilation with air flowing through active sorbent materials. Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) followed by GC separation and MS identification has been applied for checking the outgassing characteristics of different types of materials used for the construction of airtight showcases, and the method was found particularly attractive in terms of speed and sensitivity, suitable for measurements in presence of low-emitting materials. Sampling could also be done in the case interiors, thus making possible detection and recognition of emissions from art objects within a case. A comprehensive preventive conservation scheme has been further devised by means of active air circulation within the showcase and functional sorbent materials along the flow, for complete suppression of gaseous compounds. Control of the compounds in the air flow and of their filtration efficacy was achieved by direct sampling, also using SPME fibers. Continuous monitoring of the air quality in the showcases has been developed with insertion of a photoionization detector capable of detecting the VOCs in the air by inducing molecular ionization, and measuring the generated photocurrent. The system is not selective, but gives the total concentration, reaching ppb sensitivity with high-quality data. In addition it includes temperature and humidity sensors, making the whole a useful instrument for environment control.