Comparing learning styles for students with conduct and emotional problems

In Phase 1 of the study (1991–1992 school year), 43 elementary school students in five special education classes for behaviorally disordered children were classified using the Differential Test of Conduct and Emotional Problems. Subjects were classified as primarily emotional (ED) or conduct problems (CP). Results were as follows: 11 ED (26%), 15 CP (35%), 13 both ED and CP (31%), and 4 (9%) falling into neither grouping. During Phase 2 (1996–1997 school year), a different cohort of students (n = 68), from the same five elementary special education classes plus one junior high school class, was also classified on the Learning Style Identification Scale. Phase 2 results were 12 students ED (18%), 16 CP (24%), 14 both ED and CP (21%), and 26 neither (38%). Eighty‐eight percent of conduct problem students were classified as Style 1 learners. Findings are examined in light of federal special education eligibility criteria, specifically the exclusion of “socially maladjusted” students. Implications for the multidisciplinary team placement process and educational programming are discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ettringite and thaumasite: A chemical route for their removal from cementious artefacts

The present paper reports a new method for converting ettringite and thaumasite in non-expansible and insoluble phases, for its application in the restoration of concrete artefacts subjected to deterioration through sulphate attack. The salts were synthesized by different processes and, after characterization by means of XRD, FT-IR and optical microscopy, were treated with a series of chemicals in order to induce their decomposition. In particular, different solutions containing barium nitrate, barium hydroxide and ammonium oxalate were used to achieve the complete transformation of both phases in barite, witherite, scarbroite and whewellite. Barium hydroxide seemed to be the most appropriate reactant because the others could give rise to efflorescence within the pores of the mortars by leaving free nitrate or sulphate ions inside the materials. The experimental technique was also tested on two concrete samples collected from the bell-tower of St. Nicholas’ Cathedral in Nicosia (Sicily) with encouraging results.     

Assessment of the state of conservation of stone artworks after laser cleaning: comparison with conventional cleaning results on a two-decade follow up

The utilization of laser light to produce fine and selective cleaning of superficial deposits and encrustation from stones was originally proposed more than 20 years ago by John Asmus who performed pioneering trials of laser cleaning on stone façades in Venice, Cremona and Padua. The opportunity to collect stone samples from these sites allowed us to carry out an original study aimed at evaluating the conservation state of stone surfaces cleaned 10–20 years ago by means of three different techniques: Nd:YAG laser radiation, micron sandblasting and chemical pads. Samples of various stone types, as Istria limestone, Botticino limestone and Nanto sandstone were collected and examined by means of optical and SEM microscopy, FT/IR, and EDAX analyses. The results provided preliminary indications that the state of conservation of stone surfaces previously subjected to laser cleaning is generally better in comparison with those which concurrently underwent mechanical and chemical cleaning.     

Querytogether: Enabling entity-centric exploration in multi-device collaborative search

Collaborative and co-located information access is becoming increasingly common. However, fairly little attention has been devoted to the design of ubiquitous computing approaches for spontaneous exploration of large information spaces enabling co-located collaboration. We investigate whether an entity-based user interface provides a solution to support co-located search on heterogeneous devices. We present the design and implementation of QueryTogether, a multi-device collaborative search tool through which entities such as people, documents, and keywords can be used to compose queries that can be shared to a public screen or specific users with easy touch enabled interaction. We conducted mixed-methods user experiments with twenty seven participants (nine groups of three people), to compare the collaborative search with QueryTogether to a baseline adopting established search and collaboration interfaces. Results show that QueryTogether led to more balanced contribution and search engagement. While the overall s-recall in search was similar, in the QueryTogether condition participants found most of the relevant results earlier in the tasks, and for more than half of the queries avoided text entry by manipulating recommended entities. The video analysis demonstrated a more consistent common ground through increased attention to the common screen, and more transitions between collaboration styles. Therefore, this provided a better fit for the spontaneity of ubiquitous scenarios. QueryTogether and the corresponding study demonstrate the importance of entity based interfaces to improve collaboration by facilitating balanced participation, flexibility of collaboration styles and social processing of search entities across conversation and devices. The findings promote a vision of collaborative search support in spontaneous and ubiquitous multi-device settings, and better linking of conversation objects to searchable entities.     

Codified-tacit and general-specific knowledge in the division of labour among firms: A study of the software industry

This paper explores the organisation and codification of knowledge in software firms. It analyses various economic incentives to codification, including the need to improve the productivity and quality of software production and the networks of inter-firm alliances.The paper examines the experience of five Italian software firms specialising in software packages and services. It compares their capabilities, main sources of tacit knowledge, specific incentives to invest in knowledge codification and the formal development methodologies and quality control systems adopted. Finally, the paper analyses two distinct technological collaborations that two of these firms have recently established.