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In this paper, we present an exploratory study on the potential impact of holographic heart models and mixed reality technology on medical training, and in particular in teaching complex Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) to medical students. Fifty-nine medical students were randomly allocated into three groups. Each participant in each group received a 30-minute lecture on a CHD condition interpretation and transcatheter treatment with different instructional tools. The participants of the first group attended a lecture in which traditional slides were projected onto a flat screen (group “regular slideware”, RS). The second group was shown slides incorporating videos of holographic anatomical models (group “holographic videos”, HV). Finally, those in the third group wore immersive, head-mounted devices (HMD) to interact directly with holographic anatomical models (group “augmented reality”, AR). At the end of the lecture, the members of each group were asked to fill in a multiple-choice questionnaire aimed at evaluating their topic proficiency, as a proxy to evaluate the effectiveness of the training session (in terms of acquired notions); participants from group AR were also asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding the recommendability and usability of the MS Hololens HMDs, as a proxy of satisfaction regarding its use experience (UX). The findings show promising results for usability and user acceptance.

Este artigo pretende refletir acerca da formação docente utilizando como componentes da pesquisa o Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação à Docência (PIBID) e o Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação Científica (PIBIC). Nosso objetivo é abordar a formação e atuação docente assumindo como ponto de partida o trabalho do discente de licenciatura dentro desses programas, considerando a importância das experiências proporcionadas por eles na formação plena do professor-pesquisador, assim como suas implicações na construção da prática pedagógica. O presente artigo apresenta análise crítica de bibliografia relacionada ao tema e da participação de estudantes nos programas. Ambos os programas possuem um caráter voltado para a plenitude da formação docente, assistindo os estudantes de graduação e dando amparo ao desenvolvimento de sua práxis pedagógica e prática de pesquisa

In this work we present for the first time a petrological-geochemical and genetic study of the Sierra de Baza ophiolites, which represent one of the ophiolitic occurrences of the Betic Cordillera (Southern Spain). They are composed of ultramafic, mafic and sedimentary rocks, largely affected both by ocean floor and polyphasic metamorphism during the Alpine orogeny. Ultramafic rocks are serpentinized lherzolites and harzburgites, whereas the metabasites are meta-gabbros and meta-basalts. On the whole, Sierra de Baza ophiolites show striking geochemical similarities with those from other Betic occurrences, as well as with other Tethyan ophiolites of the Western Mediterranean (Calabria, Internal and External Ligurides, Platta, Corsica and Western Alps). In particular, metabasites show petrological and geochemical features similar to the E-MORB magmatism of the Atlantic Ridge between 45 and 63ºN generated under ultra-slow spreading ridge conditions. This process originated a strip of few hundreds km of ocean floor at the western end of the Tethys, located SE of the Iberian-European margin during the Mesozoic. The inversion of the stress regime in the European-Iberian and African geodynamics, starting from the Late-Middle Cretaceous, caused subduction and metamorphism in the eclogite facies of oceanic slices that were partially exhumed on the continental margin, forming the Betic Ophiolites. These ophiolites were disarticulated and dismembered as a result of the shift towards SW of the Alboran continental block, progressively separated from the AlKaPeCa (Alboran, Kabilias, Peloritani, Calabria) microplate, finally occupying their current position in the Betic Internal Zones.

The Pontine Islands form a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It consists of two edifices, the islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Zannone and the islands of Ventotene and Santo Stefano, respectively. The Archipelago developed during two main volcanic cycles in the Plio-Pleistocene: 1) the Pliocene episode erupted subalkaline, silica-rich volcanic units, which constitute the dominant products in the western edifice (Ponza and Zannone Islands); 2) the Pleistocene episode erupted more alkaline products, represented by evolved rocks (trachytes to peralkaline rhyolites) in the islands of Ponza and Palmarola and by basic to intermediate rocks in the eastern edifice (Ventotene and Santo Stefano Islands). In this paper we present new geochemical and petrological data from submarine rock samples collected in two oceanographic cruises and a scuba diving survey. The main result is the recovery of relatively undifferentiated lithotypes that provide further insights on the magmatic spectrum existing in the Pontine Archipelago, allowing modelling of the whole suite of rocks by fractional crystallization processes. New major and trace element data and thermodynamic constrains (by the software PELE) indicate the existence of three distinct evolutionary trends corresponding to a HK calcalkaline series in the Pliocene, followed by a transitional and then by a shoshonite series in the Pleistocene. In particular, the transitional series, so far overlooked in the literature, is required in order to explain the genesis of several peralkaline felsic rocks recognized in the Archipelago. On the whole, the new geochemical data i) confirm the orogenic signature of the suites, ii) allow to rule out an anatectic origin for both subalkaline and peralkaline rhyolites and iii) indicate highly heterogeneous mantle sources, due to crustal components variously recycled in the mantle via subduction.

Although the Po river is the most important fluvial system of Northern Italy, the systematic geochemical and isotopic investigations of its water are rare and were never reported for the whole basin. The present contribution aims to fill this knowledge gap, reporting a comprehensive data set including oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopes as well as major and trace element concentration of dissolved species for 54 Po river water samples, mainly collected in different hydrological conditions (peak discharge in April, drought in August) at increasing distance from the source, i.e., from the upper part of the catchment to the terminal (deltaic) part of the river at the confluence with the Adriatic Sea. The isotopic compositions demonstrate that the predominant part of the runoff derives from the Alpine sector of the catchment through important tributaries such as the Dora Baltea, Ticino, Adda, and Tanaro rivers, whereas the contribution from the Apennines tributaries is less important. The geochemical and isotopic compositions show that the Po river water attains a homogeneous composition at ca. 100 km from the source. The average composition is characterized by δ(18)O -9.8‰, δD -66.2‰, total dissolved solid (TDS) 268 mg/L, and chloride 17 mg/L and by a general Ca-HCO3 hydrochemical facies, which is maintained for most of the river stream, only varying in the terminal part where the river is diverted in a complex deltaic system affected by more significant evaporation and mixing with saline water evidenced by higher TDS and chloride content (up to 8198 and 4197 mg/L, respectively). Geochemical and isotopic maps have been drawn to visualize spatial gradients, which reflect the evolution of the river water composition at progressive distance from the source; more detailed maps were focused on the deltaic part in order to visualize the processes occurring in the transitional zone toward the Adriatic Sea. The data also highlight anthropogenic contributions, mainly represented by significant concentrations of nitrate (average 8 mg/L) and possibly arsenic (average 12 μg/L). These data allow the calculation of geochemical fluxes transferred from the river to the sea, and generally, they contribute to the definition of a "hydro-archive" which is useful to highlight ongoing variations in the related ecosystems.

In this article, we propose a conceptual and methodological framework for measuring the impact of the introduction of AI systems in decision settings, based on the concept of technological dominance, i.e. the influence that an AI system can exert on human judgment and decisions. We distinguish between a negative component of dominance (automation bias) and a positive one (algorithm appreciation) by focusing on and systematizing the patterns of interaction between human judgment and AI support, or reliance patterns, and their associated cognitive effects. We then define statistical approaches for measuring these dimensions of dominance, as well as corresponding qualitative visualizations. By reporting about four medical case studies, we illustrate how the proposed methods can be used to inform assessments of dominance and of related cognitive biases in real-world settings. Our study lays the groundwork for future investigations into the effects of introducing AI support into naturalistic and collaborative decision-making.

This paper deals with mineralogical-petrographic, microstructural and geochemical analyses for the archaeometric characterization of silicate-bearing granoblastic marbles from the so-called Waldensian Valleys of Piedmont (i.e. Pellice, Germanasca and lower Chisone valleys, Cottian Alps, Italy). These stones, belonging to the Dora-Maira Massif of the Penninic domain (pre-Carboniferous), are often associated with a talc-bearing mineralization. Since the XIV century, “Waldensian” marbles have been subjected to a relatively intense extractive activity (nowadays almost completely abandoned) and have been widely used, especially during XVI-XIX century, for decoration purposes and as building materials in the Duchy of Savoy, as well as later, in Italy and abroad. Fifteen samples representing four lithofacies and commercial types (named “Statuary white”, “Bardiglio gray”, “Zebrato gray” and “Cipollino green” marbles) from four different quarries (named Cabitto, La Majera, Rocca Corba, and Caugis), were studied through a multianalytical approach. The isotopic signature, combined with the mineral chemistry, allowed tracing marbles origin uniquely. The resulting database can be employed either in the cultural heritage, or in the conservation and restoration science, to identify each “Waldensian” marble from different decorative stones with similar microstructural and/or compositional features, but different origin.

Introduction Ground-glass nodules may be the expression of benign conditions, pre-invasive lesions or malignancies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the capability of chest digital tomosynthesis (DTS) in detecting pulmonary ground-glass opacities (GGOs). Methods An anthropomorphic chest phantom and synthetic nodules were used to simulate pulmonary ground-glass nodules. The nodules were positioned in 3 different regions (apex, hilum and basal); then the phantom was scanned by multi-detector CT (MDCT) and DTS. For each set (nodule-free phantom, nodule in apical zone, nodule in hilar zone, nodule in basal zone) seven different scans (n = 28) were performed varying the following technical parameters: Cu-filter (0.1–0.3 mm), dose rateo (10–25) and X-ray tube voltage (105–125 kVp). Two radiologists in consensus evaluated the DTS images and provided in agreement a visual score: 1 for unidentifiable nodules, 2 for poorly identifiable nodules, 3 for nodules identifiable with fair certainty, 4 for nodules identifiable with absolute certainty. Results Increasing the dose rateo from 10 to 15, GGOs located in the apex and in the basal zone were better identified (from a score = 2 to a score = 3). GGOs located in the hilar zone were not visible even with a higher dose rate. Intermediate density GGOs had a good visibility score (score = 3) and it did not improve by varying technical parameters. A progressive increase of voltage (from 105 kVp to 125 kVp) did not provide a better nodule visibility. Conclusion DTS with optimized technical parameters can identify GGOs, in particular those with a diameter greater than 10 mm. Implications for practice DTS could have a role in the follow-up of patients with known GGOs identified in lung apex or base region.

Carbon and nitrogen elemental (C-N, wt%) and isotopic ( δ 13 C- δ 15 N, ‰) investigation has been carried out on alluvial and deltaic soils from the Padanian plain (northern Italy), an area interested by intensive agricultural activities, to refine previous inferences on depositional facies, pedogenetic processes and anthropogenic influences. Soil analysis, carried out by EA-IRMS, have been focused on inorganic and organic fractions properly speciated by a thermally-based method, whereas further insights on the organic matter constituents have been obtained by sequential fractionation. The bulk EA-IRMS analyses reveal a remarkable compositional heterogeneity of the investigated soils (TC 0.89 to 11.93 wt%, TN 0.01 to 0.78 wt%, δ 13 C TC -1.2 to -28.2‰, δ 15 N -1.2 to 10.0‰) that has to be explained as an integration between inorganic and organic pools. The latter have been subdivided in Non-Extractable Organic Matter (NEOM, δ 13 C -16.3 to -28.6‰) and in extractable fractions as Fulvic (FA, δ 13 C -24.7 to -27.5‰, δ 15 N 0.6 to 5.7‰) and Humic (HA, δ 13 C -24.6 to -27.0‰, δ 15 N 1.0 to 9.7‰) Acids, which have been used to infer soil dynamics and Soil Organic Matter (SOM) stability processes. Results indicate that SOM at depth of 100 cm was generally affected by microbial reworking, with the exception of clayey and peaty deposits in which biological activity seems inhibited. Peaty and clayey soils display an organic fraction loss of ca. 20% toward the surface, suggesting deterioration possibly induced by intensive agricultural activities. These latter may be the cause of the ubiquitous losses of organic fraction throughout the investigated area over the last seventy years, evaluated by the comparison with historical data on corresponding topsoils. The obtained insights are very important because these soils are carbon (and nitrogen) sinks that are vulnerable and can be degraded, loosing agricultural productivity and potentially contributing to greenhouse gases fluxes.

A new analytical approach (Thermally Based Separation, TBS) for the characterisation of inorganic (IC) and organic (OC) carbon pools in alluvial soils has been tested. The method does not involve any chemical pre-treatment of samples and relies on different thermal stabilities of IC and OC pools, which can be accurately determined with an EA-IRMS analytical system. Elemental (C, g/kg) and isotopic (δ13C, ‰) carbon data were used to check the reliability of the TBS method by calculating the mass balances using the measured IC and OC fractions and total carbon (TC). TBS was applied to 7 soil samples from the Padanian alluvial plain (NE Italy) that were collected from different depths and characterised by textural/geochemical heterogeneity. The method allowed for a mean carbon elemental recovery of 99% (SD = 2%), and mean isotopic deviation (Δ13C) between theoretical (δ13COC XOC + δ13CIC XIC)/(XOC + XIC) and measured δ13CTC of 0.2‰ (SD = 0.3‰). A comparison of TBS with other conventional methods for carbon separation provided insights into the possible effects of sample acidification on the soil organic pools. The results suggest a higher robustness of TBS compared to conventional methods in the determination of organic and inorganic carbon pools in soils. This is because TBS bypasses any possible fractionation derived from the hydrolysis of soil organic matter and therefore accurately determines the carbon isotopic composition of the OC and IC fractions. TBS appears to be more robust than conventional methods and is independent from the IC/OC ratio of the samples, from the unpredictable complexity of soil organic matter and from the arbitrary application of the acidification routine. On this basis, TBS represents a very promising approach for a correct and complete characterisation of soil carbon pools.

The deep seated xenolith association exhumed in the Pliocenic volcano of Tallante (Betic Cordillera, Spain) includes protogranular mantle peridotites, felsic (metasedimentary) crustal rocks, as well as cumulus igneous rocks such as norites and amphibole (+/- phlogopite)-clinopyroxenites. The whole xenolith suite equilibrated at the same pressure (0.7-0.9 GPa) representing the local crust-mantle boundary (MOHO) characterized by extreme lithological heterogeneity. This heterogeneity resulted from orogenic processes that induced the juxtaposition of crustal rocks (variably depleted in fusible components) within mantle domains including metasomes, as it is commonly observed in orogenic mantle massifs of the Mediterranean area. In this contribution, we report new mineral compositions of igneous parageneses recorded in these xenoliths, and we present Sr-Nd isotope data on both igneous and metasedimentary xenoliths that integrate those from the literature. Sr-Nd isotopes coherently indicate a restitic character of the metasedimentary xenoliths, which according to model ages were affected by partial melting in Paleozoic times. Sr-Nd isotopic errorchrons on the igneous xenoliths, on the other hand, qualitatively indicate Tertiary ages, which are corroborated by U-Pb zircon datings of one norite xenolith and two composite xenoliths having zircon-bearing norite veinlets. The new data are discussed proposing that MOHO lithologies of Tallante could provide significant source compositions for the genesis of the Neogene volcanics of the Betic area, which included calcalkaline lavas as well as more potassic products such as lamproites. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.