Bayesian nonparametric modeling of latent partitions via Stirling-gamma priors

Dirichlet process mixtures are particularly sensitive to the value of the so-called precision parameter, which controls the behavior of the underlying latent partition. Randomization of the precision through a prior distribution is a common solution, which leads to more robust inferential procedures. However, existing prior choices do not allow for transparent elicitation, due to the lack of analytical results. We introduce and investigate a novel prior for the Dirichlet process precision, the Stirling-gamma distribution. We study the distributional properties of the induced random partition, with an emphasis on the number of clusters. Our theoretical investigation clarifies the reasons of the improved robustness properties of the proposed prior. Moreover, we show that, under specific choices of its hyperparameters, the Stirling-gamma distribution is conjugate to the random partition of a Dirichlet process. We illustrate with an ecological application the usefulness of our approach for the detection of communities of ant workers

Multistep, sequential control of the trafficking and function of the multiple sulfatase deficiency gene product, SUMF1 by PDI, ERGIC-53 and ERp44.

Sulfatase modifying factor 1 (SUMF1) encodes for the formylglicine generating enzyme, which activates sulfatases by modifying a key cysteine residue within their catalytic domains. SUMF1 is mutated in patients affected by multiple sulfatase deficiency, a rare recessive disorder in which all sulfatase activities are impaired. Despite the absence of canonical retention/retrieval signals, SUMF1 is largely retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it exerts its enzymatic activity on nascent sulfatases. Part of SUMF1 is secreted and paracrinally taken up by distant cells. Here we show that SUMF1 interacts with protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and ERp44, two thioredoxin family members residing in the early secretory pathway, and with ERGIC-53, a lectin that shuttles between the ER and the Golgi. Functional assays reveal that these interactions are crucial for controlling SUMF1 traffic and function. PDI couples SUMF1 retention and activation in the ER. ERGIC-53 and ERp44 act downstream, favoring SUMF1 export from and retrieval to the ER, respectively. Silencing ERGIC-53 causes proteasomal degradation of SUMF1, while down-regulating ERp44 promotes its secretion. When over-expressed, each of three interactors favors intracellular accumulation. Our results reveal a multistep control of SUMF1 trafficking, with sequential interactions dynamically determining ER localization, activity and secretion

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing a New D-Mannose-based Dietary Supplement to Placebo for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infections

Background: The rise in antimicrobial resistance means that alternative approaches for the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infection (UTIs) are required. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a D-mannose-based dietary supplement (D-mannose, citric acid, prebiotic fibers, Astragalus, and dandelion; DAPAD complex) for the treatment of uncomplicated acute E. coli UTIs. Design, setting, and participants: This was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted from April 2021 to October 2021 in Rajalakshmi Hospital and Research Centre (Bangalore, India). The participants were nonmenopausal women with an acute uncomplicated E. coli UTI. UTI was diagnosed according to the presence of at least one urinary symptom and bacteriuria (>100 000 CFU/ml). Intervention: The DAPAD complex was administered twice a day for 5 d, with phenazopyridine and alkalizing agents as the standard of care (SOC). The control group received placebo with SOC. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Subjective (clinical resolution/response) and objective (midstream bacteriuria) outcomes were evaluated at the end of therapy (day 6) and at day 35 of follow-up. Adverse events were recorded. Categorical variables were analyzed using χ2 and Fisher's exact tests; a p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results and limitations: Seventy women were enrolled and equally randomized to the two groups. Clinical resolution was higher in the DAPAD group at 6 d (34.3% vs 0%; p < 0.0001) and 35 d from baseline (88.6% vs 20%, p < 0.0001). At day 35, no patients in the DAPAD group had moderate or severe symptoms, whereas 25.7% (nine/35) and 11.4% (four/35) of patients in the placebo group had moderate and severe symptoms, respectively. Bacteriological resolution was also higher in the DAPAD group at day 6 (85.7% vs 14.3%; p < 0.0001) and day 35 (100% vs 40%; p < 0.0001). Three mild adverse events (4.26%) unrelated to the investigated product were recorded, all of which were medically treated. Conclusions: The DAPAD complex dietary supplement is effective and safe for treatment of acute uncomplicated E. coli UTIs. Patient summary: Our results show that for nonmenopausal women with an uncomplicated Escherichia coli urinary tract infection, those treated with a dietary supplement (containing D-mannose, citric acid, prebiotic fibers, Astragalus, and dandelion) had a higher rate of clinical resolution or response than women who received a placebo

The non-invasive assessment of myocardial work by pressure-strain analysis: clinical applications

Pressure-volume (PV) analysis is the most comprehensive way to describe cardiac function, giving insights into cardiac mechanics and energetics. However, PV analysis still remains a highly invasive and time-consuming method, preventing it from integration into clinical practice. Most of the echocardiographic parameters currently used in the clinical routine to characterize left ventricular (LV) systolic function, such as LV ejection fraction and LV global longitudinal strain, do not take the pressure developed within the LV into account and therefore fall too short in describing LV function as a hydraulic pump. Recently, LV pressure-strain analysis has been introduced as a new technique to assess myocardial work in a non-invasive fashion. This new method showed new insights in comparison to invasive measurements and was validated in different cardiac pathologies, e.g., for the detection of coronary artery disease, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)-response prediction, and different forms of heart failure. Non-invasively assessed myocardial work may play a major role in guiding therapies and estimating prognosis. However, its incremental prognostic validity in comparison to common echocardiographic parameters remains unclear. This review aims to provide an overview of pressure-strain analysis, including its current application in the clinical arena, as well as potential fields of exploitation

Regolazione emotiva e metacognizione nei bambini e negli adolescenti

As literature indicates, people experience emotions following the evaluation of a real or perceived event (Frijda, 1986; Zajonc, 1998; Davidson, Scherer &amp; Goldsmith, 2003; Barrett, 2006; Brackett, et al., 2006; Izard, 2007; Panksepp, 2007). These can cause difficulties in emotional regulatory mechanisms that cause distress in relationship to oneself, to other people and to the world, occasionally resulting in full-blown psychopathology (Stults- Kolehmainen &amp; Sinha, 2014; Extremera &amp; Rey, 2015). Diverse theoretical currents report outcomes of altered metacognitive fuction both in learning (Flavell, 1979; Cottini, 2004), evaluating and monitoring thought (Wells &amp; Matthews, 1995/2014), as well as in the expression of reasoning in terms of mental status on oneself and others behavior (Fonagy, 2000). The goal of this study is to examine whether disfunction of emotive regulation in children causes “metacognitive errors” that leads to development of severe psychopathological diseases.La letteratura riporta che, a seguito della valutazione di un evento reale o immaginato, le persone sperimentano delle emozioni (Frijda, 1986; Zajonc, 1998; Davidson, Scherer &amp; Goldsmith, 2003; Barrett, 2006; Brackett, et al., 2006; Izard, 2007; Panksepp, 2007). Queste, se intense possono causare difficoltà di regolazione emotiva (Stults-Kolehmainen &amp; Sinha, 2014; Extremera &amp; Rey, 2015). Ne consegue disagio nel rapporto con se stessi e con il mondo e talvolta sofferenza psicopatologica (Cohen, Janicki- Deverts, &amp; Miller, 2007). Diverse teorie a confronto registrano esiti di un alterato funzionamento metacognitivo sia nell’apprendimento (Flavell, 1979; Cottini, 2004) sia nella valutazione e monitoraggio del pensiero (Wells &amp; Matthews, 1995/2014), nonchè nell’espressione della capacità di ragionare sul proprio e altrui comportamento in termini di stati mentali (Fonagy, 2000).Questo lavoro mira a esaminare fonti secondo cui la disfunzione della regolazione emotiva nei bambini comporta “errori metacognitivi” che conducono allo sviluppo di disturbi psicopatologiciimportanti. L’obiettivo di questo lavoro è quello di esaminare fonti a sostegno della tesi, già ampiamente documentata per gli adulti, secondo cui la disfunzione della regolazione emotiva nei bambini comporta “errori metacognitivi” che conducono allo sviluppo di disturbi psicopatologici importanti

A new tool for investigation platelet activation in endometriosis patients

Objectives: Endometriosis (EM) is a gynecological disease characterized by chronic inflammation, due to the interaction of inflammatory cells with ectopic endometrium (1). Platelets (PLTs), recruited by procoagulant factors released from endometriotic stromal cells, secrete angiogenetic factors and induce overexpression of genes involved in pro-survival/ anti-apoptotic propensity, inflammationand extracellular matrix remodeling (2). We aimed to develop a tool to measure PLT activation (by small extracellular vesicles, s-EVs) in EM peritoneal fluids, as a potential predictive marker of EM severity. Materials & methods: S-EVs were isolated from EM peritoneal fluids and characterized with imaging (Atomic Force Microscopy; AFM) and protein expression analyses (Western blot, WB) (3). We explored gene expression in peritoneum and EM lesions using EndometDB (4). Results: We demonstrated the presence of s-EVs isolated from EM peritoneal fluids by liquid AFM, as showed by contact angle vs diameter scatterplot (Fig.1A-B), and by WB detecting the s-EV markers CD63, CD9, and TSG101 (Fig.1C). Using Endomet-DB, we highlighted the differentially expressed genes between control and EM peritoneum samples (Fig.1D). The protein expression of a panel of biomarkers of PTL in s-EVs was further confirmed by WB (Fig.1E). Conclusions: We propose applying s-EV research to EM investigation, generating a novel biochemical tool for PLT activation assessment and for the development of new diagnostics and therapies

Neuroselling: applying neuroscience to selling for a new business perspective. An analysis on teleshopping advertising.

This paper presents an innovative research project that aims to study the emotional factors influencing decision-making elicited by infomercials, a powerful sales technique that uses emotional communication to engage viewers, capture attention, and build trust. Using cutting-edge consumer neuroscience techniques, this study focuses on the identification of the variables that most impact the Call-to-Action and Purchase Intention. Forty participants were selected and divided into two groups, with each group exposed to one of two infomercials (condition A = male seller; condition B = female seller). EEG signals were recorded as well as Eye-tracking data. After the viewing, participants completed a self-report questionnaire. Results show that seller characteristics such as Performance and Trustworthiness, as well as Neurophysiological variables such as Approach-Withdrawal Index, Willingness to Pay, Attention and Engagement, significantly impact the final Call-to-Action, Purchase Intention, and infomercial Likeability responses. Moreover, eye-tracking data revealed that the more time is spent observing crucial areas of the infomercial, the more it will increase our Willingness to Pay and our interest and willingness to approach the infomercial and product. These findings highlight the importance of considering both the Seller attributes and the consumers’ Neurophysiological responses to understand and predict their behaviors in response to marketing stimuli since they all seem to play a crucial role in shaping consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions. Overall, the study is a significant pilot in the new field of neuroselling, shedding light on crucial emotional aspects of the seller/buyer relationship and providing valuable insights for researchers and marketers

From Coaching to Neurocoaching: A Neuroscientific Approach during a Coaching Session to Assess the Relational Dynamics between Coach and Coachee-A Pilot Study.

Life transitions represent moments characterized by changes that can profoundly influence individual life trajectories and subjective well-being. Recently, career coaching has become an important method of helping people expand their self-awareness, facilitate personal development, and increase their performance in the school-to-work transition. Although previous studies have confirmed that one of the most important keys to the success of a coaching program is the quality of the relationship between coach and coachee, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how to objectively measure it. In this pilot study, we adopted a neuroscientific approach to introduce objective measures of the relationship between coach and coachee through the phases of a coaching session. A sample of 14 university students and a professional coach participated in career-coaching sessions while their affective states were measured by recording brain (EEG) and physiological (Skin conductance) activity. Electroencephalographic indicators of valence, arousal, and engagement showed differences between session phases, highlighting the possibility of a neurophysiological measurement of relational dynamics. Our results provide initial evidence that neurophysiological activity can be considered a way to understand differences in the coach-coachee relationship, thereby providing information on the effectiveness of coaching interventions and facilitating a better life transition from school to work

Acoustical performance of an innovative dry-wall facade system with high thermal properties

INTESA (INTegrazione ed elevata Efficienza con sistemi a Secco per l’Abitare, Integration and high efficiency with drywall technology for building envelopes) is an innovative solu-tion of a drywall façade embedding electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, especially de-signed for residential needs. The INTESA system is usable either for new and retrofit design and is competitive with the traditional wet technology made of clay bricks or blocks. Since the early stage of the project, an integrated approach has been the key element to design the wall system in order to obtain an easy and efficient way of assembling, a perfect integration of the plants, as well as high thermal and acoustical performances. In-field INTESA perfor-mances were tested in laboratory and in a real case study through the construction of a proto-type building located in Calliano d’Asti, near Turin, where the following acoustical parame-ters were measured: the apparent sound reduction index (R’), the standardized sound level difference of a façade (D2m,nT) and the vibration sound reduction index (Kij), a quantity relat-ed to the vibrational power transmission over a junction between structural elements

INTESA System: A New High-performance and Highly Integrated Drywall Façade

INTESA is an innovative vertical envelope for residential, industrial and service tertiary buildings. It is a drywall façade system with high thermal and acoustic properties, embedding electrical and plumbing systems. The system was developed over two years by a multidisciplinary team, which involved researchers, manufacturers and consultants. An integrated approach has been the key element to design and prototype an innovative double cavity drywall façade, composed by plasterboard layers and blown-in cellulose flakes, with and without a thin layer of Phase Change Material. Thermal and acoustical properties have been optimized through laboratory measurements and simulations and later tested in a prototype building