Non-Asymptotic Kernel-based Parametric Estimation of Continuous-time Linear Systems

In this paper, a novel framework to address the problem of parametric estimation for continuous-time linear time-invariant dynamic systems is dealt with. The proposed methodology entails the design of suitable kernels of non-anticipative linear integral operators thus obtaining estimators showing, in the ideal case, \u201cnon-asymptotic\u201d (i.e., \u201cfinite-time\u201d) convergence. The analysis of the properties of the kernels guaranteeing such a convergence behaviour is addressed and a novel class of admissible kernel functions is introduced. The operators induced by the proposed kernels admit implementable (i.e., finite-dimensional and internally stable) state-space realizations. Extensive numerical results are reported to show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Comparisons with some existing continuous-time estimators are addressed as well and insights on the possible bias affecting the estimates are provided

Kernel-based Continuous-Time Identification of Hammerstein Models: Application to the case of Ankle Joint Stiffness Dynamics

This paper deals with a new practical approach to continuous-time parametric identification for dynamic models in Hammerstein form and its application in the context of estimating the dynamics of joint stiffness. The proposed methodology deals the static non-linearities as a linear combination of nonlinear basis functions, while the linear dynamic parts of the system are modeled by a parametric rational transfer function. The proposed identification method is enabled by the algebra of Volterra linear integral operators by a suitable design of kernels admitting finite-dimensional and internally stable statespace realizations. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed continuous-time identification technique

Kernel-Based Non-Asymptotic State Estimation for Linear Continuous-Time Systems

This work deals with a novel theoretical framework, based on the algebra of Volterra linear integral operators, aimed at designing non-asymptotic state observers for continuous-time SISO linear systems. We show that the design of observers with finite-time convergence of the estimation error can be carried out by appropriately choosing the kernels of Volterra operators applied to the measured input and output signals. The kernel-based state estimator can be implemented as a finite-dimensional linear time-varying dynamical system, that is BIBO stable with respect to the input and output injections. The properties of the kernels guaranteeing nonasymptotic convergence of the state estimate are analyzed and simulations are given to compare the proposed methodology with existing approaches

The AtmoCube project, an educational and scientific satellite atthe University of Trieste

AtmoCube is a nanosatellite belonging to the Cube- Sat class; it is intended to be an innovative and low cost measurement system to study Space Weather effects in the near Earth space environment above 350 km of altitude. This project is being carried out in the framework of a cooperation among the Department of Physics, the Department of Indus- trial Engineering and Information Technology of the University of Trieste, INAF, INFN, and Math- itech. The primary payload consists of a silicon detector capable of monitoring the radiation environment. The main goal, indeed, is to build a map of the radiation flux impinging on the instrument. The secondary payload includes a magnetometer and a GPS: while the magnetometer provides measure- ments of the Earth magnetic field, orbital param- eters obtained from GPS are used to estimate the atmospheric density. Other than the payloads, AtmoCube includes boards dedicated to power generation and manage- ment (triple junctions solar cells and a lithium bat- tery are used), attitude determination and control (by means of a magneto torquer), radio commu- nications, and on-board control and data handling (based on a PIC family microcontroller and PicOs real time operating system). The Ground Station is on its way of completion at INAF (Basovizza observing station); it is ex- pected also to be integrated in the ESA Global Ed- ucation Network for Space Operations (GENSO). This project has a great educational value, being a collaboration between academic departments, re- search institutes and local companies, and having more than 35 students who have spent or are spend- ing their degree work within the team, improving their technical knowledge and capabilities in the de- sign and verification of one or more subsystems

Intervento psicoeducazionale di gruppo per pazienti prostatectomizzati: uno studio pilota in Italia

Sono stati condotti tre focus groups (FGs) con 16 pazienti prostatectomizzati di tre Centri Oncologici. La maggior parte dei pazienti ha espresso il bisogno di più informazioni, soprattutto sugli effetti collaterali dei trattamenti, la necessità di un approccio multidisciplinare nel percorso di cura, di essere trattati da un punto di vista olistico e l’importanza dell’assistenza post-chirurgia anche con un supporto psicologico. Sulla base di quanto emerso dai FGs, sono stati condotti tre interventi psicoeducazionali di gruppo suddivisi in 3 incontri con 16 pazienti (tasso di aderenza 95.8%). Ricevere informazioni mediche e condividere la propria esperienza di malattia con altri pazienti, sono i principali benefici citati dai pazienti al termine dell’intervento. I gruppi psicoeducazionali sono interventi a basso costo, facili da organizzare e ben accettati dai pazienti prostatectomizzati. Sarebbe auspicabile che fossero effettuati all’interno delle Prostate Cancer Units con cadenza regolare per soddisfare i bisogni informativi e psicologici dei pazienti

Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: a survey of young oncologists.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has overwhelmed the health systems worldwide. Data regarding the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients (CPs) undergoing or candidate for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are lacking. We depicted the practice and adaptations in the management of patients with solid tumors eligible or receiving ICIs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on Campania region.Methods This survey (25 questions), promoted by the young section of SCITO (Società Campana di ImmunoTerapia Oncologica) Group, was circulated among Italian young oncologists practicing in regions variously affected by the pandemic: high (group 1), medium (group 2) and low (group 3) prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. For Campania region, the physician responders were split into those working in cancer centers (CC), university hospitals (UH) and general hospitals (GH). Percentages of agreement, among High (H) versus Medium (M) and versus Low (L) group for Italy and among CC, UH and GH for Campania region, were compared by using Fisher's exact tests for dichotomous answers and χ2 test for trends relative to the questions with 3 or more options.Results This is the first Italian study to investigate the COVID-19 impact on cancer immunotherapy, unique in its type and very clear in the results. The COVID-19 pandemic seemed not to affect the standard practice in the prescription and delivery of ICIs in Italy. Telemedicine was widely used. There was high consensus to interrupt immunotherapy in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and to adopt ICIs with longer schedule interval. The majority of the responders tended not to delay the start of ICIs; there were no changes in supportive treatments, but some of the physicians opted for delaying surgeries (if part of patients' planned treatment approach). The results from responders in Campania did not differ significantly from the national ones.Conclusion Our study highlights the efforts of Italian oncologists to maintain high standards of care for CPs treated with ICIs, regardless the regional prevalence of COVID-19, suggesting the adoption of similar solutions. Research on patients treated with ICIs and experiencing COVID-19 will clarify the safety profile to continue the treatments, thus informing on the most appropriate clinical conducts

Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: A survey of young oncologists

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has overwhelmed the health systems worldwide. Data regarding the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients (CPs) undergoing or candidate for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are lacking. We depicted the practice and adaptations in the management of patients with solid tumors eligible or receiving ICIs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on Campania region. Methods This survey (25 questions), promoted by the young section of SCITO (Società Campana di ImmunoTerapia Oncologica) Group, was circulated among Italian young oncologists practicing in regions variously affected by the pandemic: high (group 1), medium (group 2) and low (group 3) prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. For Campania region, the physician responders were split into those working in cancer centers (CC), university hospitals (UH) and general hospitals (GH). Percentages of agreement, among High (H) versus Medium (M) and versus Low (L) group for Italy and among CC, UH and GH for Campania region, were compared by using Fisher's exact tests for dichotomous answers and χ 2 test for trends relative to the questions with 3 or more options. Results This is the first Italian study to investigate the COVID-19 impact on cancer immunotherapy, unique in its type and very clear in the results. The COVID-19 pandemic seemed not to affect the standard practice in the prescription and delivery of ICIs in Italy. Telemedicine was widely used. There was high consensus to interrupt immunotherapy in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and to adopt ICIs with longer schedule interval. The majority of the responders tended not to delay the start of ICIs; there were no changes in supportive treatments, but some of the physicians opted for delaying surgeries (if part of patients' planned treatment approach). The results from responders in Campania did not differ significantly from the national ones. Conclusion Our study highlights the efforts of Italian oncologists to maintain high standards of care for CPs treated with ICIs, regardless the regional prevalence of COVID-19, suggesting the adoption of similar solutions. Research on patients treated with ICIs and experiencing COVID-19 will clarify the safety profile to continue the treatments, thus informing on the most appropriate clinical conducts