Suchergebnisse

AbstractResearch on the concept of affordance generated different interpretations, which are due to different stories aimed at describing how this notion accounts for visually guided motor behaviors. On the one hand, dispositional accounts of affordances explain how affordances emerge from the encounter of the agent's perceptual-motor skills, with an object offering possible interactions, as behavioral dispositional properties. On the other hand, cognitive neuroscience explains what neural mechanisms are required for agents to detect affordances, resulting from an internal processing. As the literature recognized, it would be beneficial to connect these two stories. We propose an important step into this connection, showing how a dispositional notion of affordance can be distinguished into two versions, the Dispositional Account of Nomological Affordance Response and the Dispositional Account of Probable Affordance Response, and how to complement different aspects of visuomotor processing for affordance extraction, discussed in neuroscience, with them. An important benefit of our proposal is that it suggests, for the first time, that we should not prefer one dispositional account at the expense of the other. Indeed, we show that different dispositional accounts can capture distinct aspects of the plethora of complex manifestations, at the neurocognitive level of visuomotor-processing, that affordances can display in humans, both in healthy and pathological subjects.

Abstract. In the present study, we analyze ground-motion hazard
maps and hazard disaggregation in order to define areas in Italy where
liquefaction triggering due to seismic activity can not be excluded. To this
end, we refer to the triggering criteria (not to be confused with
liquefaction susceptibility criteria, which essentially take into account
soil type and depth to groundwater) proposed by the Italian Guidelines for
Seismic Microzonation, which are described in the main body of the
paper. However, the study can be replicated in other countries that
adopt different criteria. The final goal is the definition of a screening
map for all of Italy that classifies sites in terms of liquefaction
triggering potential according to their seismic hazard level. The map, which
is referred to with the Italian acronym MILQ – Mappa del potenziale d'Innesco
della LiQuefazione (i.e., map of liquefaction triggering potential), and the
associated data are freely accessible at the following web address:
https://distav.unige.it/rsni/milq.php (last access: 28 April 2023). Our results can be useful to guide
land-use planners in deciding whether liquefaction is a hazard that needs to
be considered within the planning processes or not. Furthermore, they can
serve as a guide for recommending geological and geotechnical investigations
aimed at the evaluation of liquefaction hazards or, conversely, rule out
further studies with consequent savings in efforts and money.

Abstract. The micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)-based seismic network of Trentino (NE Italy) consists of 73 low-cost accelerometers installed close to inhabited areas. These sensors have a suitable sensitivity to detect moderate-to-strong earthquakes but are able to record even weaker seismicity. The densely distributed peak ground acceleration values recorded by MEMS and other types of stations are integrated within the existing seismic monitoring procedure in order to automatically obtain a complete set of strong motion parameters a few minutes after the origin time. The exposure of the resident population and critical buildings is estimated by quantifying the different levels of shaking, which is expressed according to the Mercalli–Cancani–Sieberg intensity scale. These types of results, summarized in synthetic portable document format (PDF), can be useful for civil protection purposes to evaluate the state of emergency after a strong earthquake in a timely manner and to choose how and where to activate first aid measures and targeted structural monitoring.

Abstract. Background: Climate factors may offer a stronger explanation of the variations in suicide rates compared with economic variables, even in the case of patients admitted involuntarily. Aims: We assessed the role of temperature as a determinant of the increased prevalence of suicide attempts (SA). Method: The sample comprised all cases of hospitalization for SA at the Psychiatric Clinic of the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino between August 2013 and July 2018. For ambient temperature, data were provided by the Meteorological Observatory of the University of Genoa. Results: We noted a peak in suicides that was typically found in late spring and early summer due to global warming. Limitations: Other environmental/psychological factors contributing to the onset of an acute clinical event were not considered. The cross-sectional design of the study is another limitation. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to clarify the impact of climatic factors on suicide behavior and implement early intervention and preventive strategies for mental health.