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The transition to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic uncovered criticalities in the participation of students with special educational needs. The BESt-DaD project responded to these difficulties by developing a user-friendly online platform aimed at accommodating these students' neurocognitive profiles, ultimately promoting inclusion. Together with the platform, specific adapted activities and personalized digital didactic materials were designed, and a training program was implemented to support teachers in using BESt-DaD's tools and functionalities. The effectiveness of BESt-DaD platform and the associated teacher training program were evaluated by questionnaires. Results showed that teachers who participated in the project appreciated the platform's accessibility and its positive effect on learner motivation and classroom interactions. Moreover, the "ad hoc" training motivated teachers to revise their educational-teaching methods with an inclusive approach. Although developed for distance learning, the BESt-DaD can be integrated into face-to-face teaching to promote the participation and inclusion of students with special educational needs.

Modern technology progresses at an incredibly fast pace. With personal computers, mobile phones, tablets, and the Internet, technology is used in all spheres, affecting our daily lives greatly. Educational games are also taking advantage of the technological process, for example, many useful apps are available for children. Gaming and educational opportunities have expanded because of the development of tablets and smartphones. Teachers have the opportunity to combine physical and electronic objects when creating education materials, so they are not confined to the use of traditional physical objects. Storytelling remains one of the oldest teaching methods for children: the development of technology has given impetus to the creation of tangible digital storytelling, which combines programs with physical objects, creating a single field for learning. Creating stories in which a child can interact with his/her peers has also provided new opportunities for inclusion and cooperation in young children. Indeed, the increased use of speakers, videos, pictures, and other tools that can help to quickly create and easily adapt objects for children with various backgrounds has fostered inclusive teaching. This paper will consider the evolution of the storytelling practice, focusing specifically on tangible digital storytelling and its benefits in young children.

An explanation of the strong heating observed in the core of a reversed-field pinch in the quasi-single-helicity state is presented. A magnetic island is formed, in which the heat transport coefficient is much smaller than in the surrounding chaotic sea, because of the formation of well defined magnetic surfaces. The values of the thermal conductivity obtained with the M1TEV [F. Porcelli et al., Phys. Rev. Lett 82, 1458 (1999)] two-dimensional transport code are in very good agreement with the estimates of the ion diffusion coefficient inside the island, given by a Hamiltonian guiding center code. Moreover, the values of thermal conductivity are in the tokamak range, and are consistent with the peak temperatures measured in the Reversed Field eXperiment [P. Sonato et al., Fusion Eng. Des. 66–68, 161 (2003)] at Consorzio RFX, Padova, Italy. The effect of the island width and the different powers deposited inside the island on the final temperature peak are also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is native to North America, and was found in Europe for the first time (north-eastern Italy) in 2004 where it remained a minor pest of grapevine for more than ten years. Recently, its importance increased in commercial vineyards located in north-eastern Italy, where outbreaks of E. vulnerata populations with severe leaf symptoms were observed despite insecticide applications. Information on its biology and ecology is needed for the development of management strategies. Here, we investigated the phenology and seasonal abundance of E. vulnerata in commercial vineyards. We found that E. vulnerata can complete three generations per growing season. Vineyard colonization by overwintered adults showed a clear edge effect, suggesting an effect of overwintering sites (e.g., rural buildings and hedgerows) adjacent to vineyards. The impact of natural enemies on pest populations appeared to be limited and mostly related to egg parasitoids. Organic vineyards were more heavily infested by E. vulnerata compared to conventional vineyards, likely due to the low effectiveness of natural insecticides typically used in the former farms. The results generated by this study provide implications for the management of this pest in European vineyards. The Nearctic leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata (Fitch), detected in Europe for the first time (north-eastern Italy) in 2004, has remained a minor pest of grapevine for more than 10 years. The first outbreaks of E. vulnerata were reported in 2016 in commercial vineyards located in north-eastern Italy. High population densities and severe leaf symptoms (i.e., leaf discoloration and fall) were observed in late summer despite the application of insecticides. Investigations were carried out from 2017 to 2019 in 10 vineyards located in Veneto region (Vicenza and Verona provinces) to shed light on the seasonal abundance of E. vulnerata on different Vitis vinifera cultivars. Pest phenology was studied in six vineyards where the impact of insecticides was minimal. Erasmoneura vulnerata completed three generations in each of the growing seasons. Vineyard colonization by overwintered adults showed a clear edge effect, suggesting the influence of overwintering sites (e.g., rural buildings and hedgerows) in vineyard margins. The impact of natural enemies on pest populations appeared to be limited and mostly related to egg parasitoids. Organic vineyards were more heavily infested by E. vulnerata compared to conventional vineyards, likely due to the minimal efficacy of natural insecticides typically used in the former farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reach fusion conditions and control the plasma configuration in ITER, the next step in tokamak fusion research, two neutral beam injectors (NBIs) will supply 16.5 MW each, by neutralizing accelerated negative hydrogen or deuterium ions. The requirements of ITER NBIs (40A/1 MeV D- ions for ≤1 h, 46A/870 keV H- ions for ≤1000 s) have never been simultaneously attained. So in the Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF, Consorzio RFX, Italy) the operation of the full-scale ITER NBI prototype (MITICA) will be tested and optimised up to full performances, focussing on accelerator (including voltage holding), beam optics, neutralisation, residual ion removal. The NBTF includes also the full-scale prototype of the ITER NBI source with 100 keV particle energy (SPIDER), for early investigation of: negative ion production and extraction, source uniformity, negative ion current density and beam optics. This paper will describe the main results of the first two years of SPIDER operation, devoted to characterizing plasma and beam parameters, including investigation of RF-plasma coupling efficiency and magnetic filter field effectiveness in reducing co-extracted electrons. SPIDER is progressing towards the first caesium injection, which aims at increasing the negative ion density. A major shutdown, planned for 2021, to solve the issues identified during the operation and to carry out programmed modifications, will be outlined. The installation of each MITICA power supply and auxiliary system is completed; in-vessel mechanical components are under procurement by Fusion for Energy (F4E). Integration, commissioning and test of the power supplies, procured by F4E and QST, as the Japanese Domestic Agency (JADA), will be presented. In particular, 1.0MV insulating tests were carried out step-by-step and successfully completed. In 2020 integrated tests of the power supplies on the accelerator dummy load started, including the assessment of their resilience to accelerator grid breakdowns using a short-circuit device located in vacuum. The aggressive programme, to validate the NBI design at NBTF and to meet ITER schedule (requiring NBIs in operation in 2032), will be outlined. Unfortunately, in 2020 the coronavirus disease infection affected the NBTF activities. A solution to proceed with integrated power tests despite the coronavirus is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]