Medieval and renaissance glass technology in Valdelsa (Florence). Part 1: raw materials, sands and non-vitreous finds

A significant number of archaeological finds of the 13th–16th century from the Tuscan sites of Germagnana and Gambassi in Valdelsa—FI, was studied by different physico-chemical investigations (SEM–EDS, ICP, Mössbauer spectroscopy, XRD, XRF, TG-DTA) in order to contribute to clarify the production methodology and the pre-industrial glass manufacture technology. The studied samples are mainly non-vitreous finds as production waste, refractory materials, crucibles and raw materials; also vitreous finds as frits, skims, glasses (glass masses, glass working waste and finished products) have been taken into consideration. The obtained petrographic and physico-chemical data strongly suggest that both Gambassi and Germagnana glass manufactures were strictly connected with the sources of vitrifiable materials, situated in Tuscan sand quarries. In particular a comparison between sands from the neighbouring quarries and appropriate finds of the two archaeological sites evidences that the employed vitrifiable materials possibly belong to La Casina La Cava resort. The archaeological classification, based on macroscopic observation and stratigraphic position, was compared and verified with the scientific classification of the examined finds of Germagnana and Gambassi sites based on their composition, morphology and physico-chemical properties.     

Reading difficulties and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity behaviours: evidence of an early association in a nonclinical sample

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co‐occurs with reading disability. A cross‐sectional study in an Italian‐speaking, nonclinical sample was conducted in an attempt to document the existence of an early association between reading difficulties (RD) and ADHD behaviours. We recruited a sample of 369 children in their first year at primary school. Of the sample, 8.4% displayed RD; 7.0% had ADHD; 3.5% presented both RD and ADHD behaviours; 50% of the children with ADHD displayed RD; 41.9% of those with RD displayed ADHD behaviours. Low socioeconomic status was associated with a fourfold increased probability of displaying RD (odds ratio = 3.98), but not ADHD behaviours. In this nonclinical sample, we detected an early association between ADHD behaviours and RD. A key role in this association may be played by inattention symptoms, which occurred with significantly increased frequency also in the group presenting only RD.     

Patterns of Italian high school and university students’ attitudes towards physics: an analysis based on semiotic-cultural perspective

The purpose of this study was to analyse Italian high school and university students’ attitudes towards physics using the Semiotic Cultural Psychological Theory (SCPT). In the SCPT framework, attitudes represent how individuals interpret their experience through the mediation of generalized meaning with which they are identified. A view-of-physics questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect data with 1603 high school and university students. Data were analysed through multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis. We identified four generalized meanings of physics: (a) interesting and important for society; (b) a quite interesting, but badly taught subject at school and not completely useful for society; (c) difficult to study and irrelevant for society; and (d) a fascinating and protective niche from society. The identified generalized meanings are significantly correlated to the choice to study physics at undergraduate level and to the choice of attending physics-related activities in high school. Implications for research are discussed.

     

“Tell me about”: a logbook of teachers’ changes from face-to-face to distance mathematics education

Educational Studies in Mathematics - In 2020, the emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic brought a drastic and sudden change in teaching practices, from the physical space of the classrooms to the...     

大型土壤源热泵系统的地下热平衡与运行策略优化(英文)

冬夏季取热散热不等导致的地下热环境的不平衡严重影响了土壤源热泵系统(GSHP)的性能.以某居住建筑为对象,采用数值模拟结合实验验证的方法,对建筑内采用的天棚辐射末端和置换新风系统进行研究,该空调系统的冷热源采用土壤源热泵.考虑循环水泵、风机、热泵机组运行中向地下排出的产热量,采用Energy Plus模拟软件对建筑物进行能耗模拟,获得地下取热散热量及其比值.利用这一取热散热量,采用Fluent模拟软件建立系统模型,模型经实验验证后,研究3种典型控制策略下的地下热交换规律.得到南京地区地下每年的制冷负荷和供热负荷比为5.08∶1,并研究指出与温度和温度差控制策略相比,定时开启策略具有更好的效能和可靠性.     

Locating the equilibrium points of a predator–prey model by means of affine state feedback

A predator–prey model with prey-dependent functional response is considered. The set of all points in the positive quadrant of the state plane that can be made equilibrium points by means of an affine state-feedback control law is determined, and the values of the control parameters ensuring the desired equilibria are provided. It is shown how the asymptotic stability of the equilibrium points depends on simple geometric conditions. The problem of stabilizing unstable equilibrium points is also briefly discussed.     

The International Multimedia University

The advent of the new information technologies is revolutionizing the possibilities of distance education. Thus the International Multimedia University of Italy has been created. A commercial entity, it will serve as a clearinghouse for the electronic delivery of courses taught by experts from all over the world to learners located all over the world. These courses will strive to educate rather than to train and will complement rather than supplant traditional universities. They will also serve as a sounding board for the evaluation of multimedia teaching materials and techniques.     

Revealing the decision-making of dribbling in the sport of futsal

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate why futsal players decide to dribble. For this purpose, we analysed 396 trials comprising the dribbles (n = 132), passes (n = 131) or shots (n = 133), performed by 70 male futsal players. Passing and shooting angles, and interpersonal distance, including their rates of change (velocity and variability), were regarded as measures of interpersonal coordination tendency and a comparison was made among dribbling, passing and shooting situations. In addition, the variables identified as constraints on deciding to dribble were analysed in relation to age categories, dribbling outcomes and futsal court zone. Results revealed that passing and shooting angles, and interpersonal distance showed higher variability in dribbling than in passing and shooting situations. The findings allowed us to conclude that decision-making on dribbling was influenced by the variabilities of passing angles as well as shooting and interpersonal distance, and that success in dribbling was affected by the variability of interpersonal distance. Such variabilities were interpreted concerning their meaning of risk and/or uncertainty in the execution of motor skills.     

Bringing Human Rights In: The Campaign Against the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games and the Origins of the Nexus Between Human Rights and the Olympic Games

This essay investigates the American-led boycott against the 1980 Olympic Games from a human rights perspective. While it does not deny that the boycott was a response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, it argues that discussions over a possible Olympic boycott were popular since the mid-seventies. To human rights activists and Non-Government Organizations, this was a natural consequence of Soviet violations of human rights. In analyzing the differences between the political debates which developed in Western Europe and in the United States, it argues that the 1980 Olympic boycott represented the first time in which a proposal for an Olympic boycott was framed in the human rights language.