An iterative approach for lexicon characterization in juridical context

In the juridical context, knowledge management applications have a central role. In order to improve the effectiveness of document management procedures, techniques for automatic comprehension of textual content are required. In this work, a methodology for semi-automatic derivation of knowledge from document collections is proposed. In order to extract relevant information from document text, a process integrating both statistical and lexical approaches is applied. Moreover, we propose a system for the evaluation of the extracted peculiar lexicon quality. The system is used for the processing of heterogeneous documents corpus issued by Italy’s juridical domain

A Model For e-Government Digital Document

The presence of a great amount of information is typical of bureaucratic processes, like the ones pertaining to public and private administrations. Such information is often recorded on paper or in different digital formats and its management is very expensive, both in terms of space used for storing documents and in terms of time spent in searching for the documents of interest. Furthermore, the manual management of these documents is absolutely not error-free. To efficiently access the information contained in very large document repositories, such as public administration archives, techniques for syntactic and semantic document management are required, so to ensure a large and intense process of document dematerialization, and eliminate, or at least reduce, the quantity of paper documents. In this work we present a novel RDF model of digital documents for improving the dematerialization effectiveness, that constitutes the starting point of an information system able to manage documental streams in the most efficient way. Such model takes into account the important need that is required in several E-Government applications which, depending on authorities or final users or time, provides different representations of the same multimedia contents

Prosthetic strap system for simplified ventral hernia repair. Its results in a porcine experimental model.

Abstract: Introduction Aiming to achieve a simplified ventral hernia repair, a proprietary shaped mesh was experimentally tested in the porcine model. The mesh is structured with a large central body and radiating straps. The friction of the straps passing through the tissues are hypothesized to be adequate to maintain the mesh in place during tissue ingrowth, avoiding classic point fixation while ensuring a wide coverage of the abdomen. Methods The mesh, having 6 radial straps, was placed using a sublay preperitoneal technique in 4 pigs. All straps were passed laterally through the abdominal wall and exteriorized from the skin. The straps were trimmed at the level of the skin, allowing the stumps to recoil into the subcutaneous space. The animal were euthanized at 1 and 4 months to determine the integration of the straps. Results Macroscopically all 24 straps were firmly incorporated within the abdominal wall. The tension free placement of the mesh by using the straps was effective. The friction of the straps passing through the tissues was adequate to keep the mesh well orientated. No dislocation of the implants was observed. The strap system also allowed a broader coverage of the abdominal wall, far beyond the wound opening. Conclusions The described arm system of the described implant seems to be effective in eliminating point fixation of the mesh. The fixation arms seemed to have ensured the mesh stayed orientated in all animals. A very wide lateral mesh placement was accomplished, assuring sufficient defect overlap when shrinkage occurs

A rare presentation of gastric phytobezoar: Simultaneous bleeding and perforation. combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach. Report of a case

Introduction: Bezoars are intraluminal conglomerates of indigestible foreign materials that accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract. We describe our experience with a patient with gastric perforation and concomitant gastric haemorrhage with severe anaemia, in whom we successfully extracted a giant gastric phytobezoar by cooperative laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. Case presentation: A 68-year-old man was admitted with melena and septic shock. CT scan revealed a gastric perforation. We performed a combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach with gastrotomy, removal of the phytobezoar and laparoscopic gastric suture. The suture was examined for leakage with the endoscopic hydropneumatic test to obtain direct vision of the suture and no evidence of leakage by insufflation of the area. Discussion: Gastric bezoars can be managed conservatively, endoscopically or surgically. Endoscopic removal, if effective, would be an attractive alternative for bezoar treatment. Usually endoscopic attempts are unsuccessful because of the large size of the bezoar and the difficulty in fragmentation. The laparoscopic approach for bezoar seems to have better postoperative outcomes. The main criticisms of the technique are abdominal spillage with risk of contamination as well as longer operative times. Conclusion: In our case we simultaneously performed laparoscopic surgery and endoscopic operative procedure in accordance with the principles of laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery to treat the gastric bezoar in order to overcome the limits of a single technique

Положительное влияние ацетил-L-карнитина на болевой синдром, регенерацию нервов и вибрационное чувство у пациентов с хронической диабетической нейропатией. Анализ результатов двух рандомизированных плацебоконтролируемых исследований

Objective — we evaluated frozen databases from two 52‑week randomized placebocontrolled clinical diabetic neuropathy trials testing two doses of acetyl-l-carnitine (alc): 500 and 1,000 mg / day t. i. d.Research design and methods — intention-to-treat patients amounted to 1,257 or 93 % of enrolled patients. Efficacy end points were sural nerve morphometry, nerve conduction velocities, vibration perception thresholds, clinical symptom scores, and a visual analogue scale for most bothersome symptom, most notably pain. The two studies were evaluated separately and combined.Results — data showed significant improvements in sural nerve fiber numbers and regenerating nerve fiber clusters. Nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes did not improve, whereas vibration perception improved in both studies. Pain as the most bothersome symptom showed significant improvement in one study and in the combined cohort taking 1,000 mg alc.Conclusions — these studies demonstrate that alc treatment is efficacious in alleviating symptoms, particularly pain, and improves nerve fiber regeneration and vibration perception in patients with established diabetic neuropathy.Постановка вопроса. Рассмотрены результаты двух рандомизированных плацебоконтролируемых клинических исследований по оценке эффективности применения ацетил-L-карнитина (АЦ-L-К) при диабетической полинейропатии (ДПН) в дозе 500 и 1000 мг / сут, 3 раза в день, продолжительностью 52 нед.Дизайн исследований и методы. В исследованиях приняли участие 1257 пациентов, или 93 % всех осмотренных больных. Эффективность терапии в конечных точках оценивалась по данным морфометрии биоптата икроножного нерва, определению скорости распространения возбуждения (СРВ) по нерву, порогу вибрационного чувства, шкалам клинических симптомов и визуальной аналоговой шкале (ВАШ) при оценке наиболее беспокоящих симптомов, включая боль. Результаты оценивались как для каждого исследования отдельно, так и для всех пациентов, участвующих в обоих исследованиях.Результаты. Полученные данные показали значительное увеличение числа нервных волокон и регенерирующих волокон в кластерах биоптата икроножного нерва. СРВ и амплитуда потенциала нерва не изменялись, в то время как улучшение показателей порога вибрационного чувства отмечено в обоих исследованиях. Уменьшение выраженности боли, как наиболее беспокоящего симптома при ДПН, было отмечено при приеме АЦ-L-К в дозе 1000 мг.Заключение. Оба исследования показали, что прием АЦ-L-К приводит к уменьшению выраженности симптомов у пациентов с установленной ДПН, особенно болевого синдрома, повышает регенерационную способность нервных волокон и вибрационную чувствительность

Muscle degeneration in inguinal hernia specimens.

There are few articles in the literature reporting the histological changes of groin structures affected by inguinal hernia. A deeper knowledge of this matter could represent an important step forward in the identification of the causes of hernia protrusion. This study aimed to recognise the pathological modifications of muscular structures in autopsy specimens excised from tissues surrounding the hernia orifice. METHODS: Inguinal hernia was identified in 30 autopsied cadavers, which presented different varieties of hernia, including indirect, direct and mixed. Tissue specimens were resected for histological study from structures of the inguinal area surrounding the hernia opening, following a standardised procedure. The histological examination was focussed on the detection of structural changes in the muscle tissues. The results were compared with biopsy specimens resected from corresponding sites of the inguinal region in a control group of 15 fresh cadavers without hernia. RESULTS: Significant modification of the muscular arrangement of the inguinal area was recognized. Pathological alterations such as atrophy, hyaline and fibrotic degeneration, as well as fatty dystrophy of the myocytes were detected. These findings were observed consistently in the context of multistructural damage also involving vessels and nerves. In cadavers with hernia these alterations were always present independent of hernia type. No comparable damage was found in control cadavers without hernia. CONCLUSIONS: The high degree of degenerative changes in the muscle fibres in the inguinal area involved in hernia protrusion described in this report seems to be consistent with chronic compressive damage. These alterations could embody one important factor among the multifactorial sources of hernia genesis. Conjectures concerning its impact on the physiology and biodynamics of the inguinal region are made. The relationship between the depicted degenerative injuries and the genesis of inguinal hernia is also a focus of discussion in this article

Nerve degeneration in inguinal hernia specimens

BACKGROUND: The histological study of the herniated inguinal area is rare in the literature. This report is focused on the detection of structural changes of the nerves within tissues bordering the inguinal hernia of cadavers. Their physiopathological consequences are hypothesized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary inguinal hernia was diagnosed in 30 fresh cadavers. Tissue specimens from the inguinal region close to and around the hernia opening were excised for histological examination. A control of the data was achieved through tissue samples excised from equivalent sites of the inguinal region in 15 cadavers without hernia. RESULTS: The detected nerves in the inguinal area demonstrated pathological changes such as fibrotic degeneration, atrophy, and fatty dystrophy of the axons. The thickening of the perineural sheath was constantly seen. These findings were consistently present, independent of the hernia type. CONCLUSIONS: The detected nerve alterations lead us to imagine a worsening, or even the cessation, of the nervous impulse to the muscles, leading to atrophy and weakening of the abdominal wall. This could represent one of the multifactorial causes of hernia genesis

Promoting STEM via UMI: an Ecological Framing of CoPs in Networking and Networked Robotics

Ubiquitous Computing, Mobile Computing and Internet of Things (UMI) technologies, are widely diffused in the everyday life. In addition to their primary usage (e.g., supporting the implementation of the future 5G network),these technologies can be used in the context of Science Education.According to this perspective, the innovative psycho-pedagogical approach here presented has been ad-hoc developed for the Horizon 2020 Project “Exploiting Ubiquitous Computing, Mobile Computing and the Internet of Things to promote Science Education” (Umi-Sci-Ed). The aim of the project is to enhance knowledge and skills of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and to promote positive attitudes towards these disciplines. In order to reach this goal, the UMI technologies, framed in the Community of Practices (CoPs) paradigm, will be introduced in the learning process of secondary schools’ students (i.e., 9thand 10thgrade). Specifically, the students will attend to innovative learning activities, such as hands-on activities, concerning with Networking and networked Robotics. In the present contribution, the theoretical framework that constitutes the rationale for the Umi-Sci-Ed projectwill be described. In particular, the “bottom-up” socio-constructionist perspective will be presented, aswell as the main technological tools (e.g., UDOO) that would be used to implement an integrated STEM learning environment. The expected results of the project will be discussed

Damage to the vascular structures in inguinal hernia specimens.

BACKGROUND: Few scientific reports to date describe the histological modification of structures outlining a hernia opening. This article is focused on the identification of the pathological changes in vascular structures in tissues excised from cadavers with inguinal hernia. A deeper comprehension of this topic could lead to essential improvements in the detection of hernia genesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different kinds of hernia, including indirect, direct and mixed, were identified in 30 autopsied subjects. Tissue samples were resected for histological study from abdominal wall structures close to the hernia opening. Histological examination focused on the detection of structural changes in arteries and veins. The results were compared with tissue specimens excised from equivalent sites of the inguinal area in a control group of 15 fresh cadavers without hernia. RESULTS: Significant modification of vascular structures were identified in the tissue specimens examined. The veins demonstrated parietal fibrosis, perivascular edema and vascular dilation due to congestion and stasis. The arterial structures detected showed thickening of the media due to medial hyperplasia, ranging from luminal sub-occlusion to a manifest artery occlusion. These findings are present independent of hernia type in cadavers with inguinal hernia. These pathological changes were lacking in the control group of cadavers without hernia. CONCLUSIONS: The notable changes in vascular structures described in the report could be the result of a steady compressive effect exerted by the abdominal viscera in the inguinal area. These pathological changes could represent one of the factors involved in the weakening of the inguinal region leading to hernia protrusion