42 research outputs found
The free energy principle induces neuromorphic development
We show how any finite physical system with morphological, i.e. three-dimensional embedding or shape, degrees of freedom and locally limited free energy will, under the constraints of the free energy principle, evolve over time towards a neuromorphic morphology that supports hierarchical computations in which each ‘level’ of the hierarchy enacts a coarse-graining of its inputs, and dually, a fine-graining of its outputs. Such hierarchies occur throughout biology, from the architectures of intracellular signal transduction pathways to the large-scale organization of perception and action cycles in the mammalian brain. The close formal connections between cone-cocone diagrams (CCCD) as models of quantum reference frames on the one hand, and between CCCDs and topological quantum field theories on the other, allow the representation of such computations in the fully-general quantum-computational framework of topological quantum neural networks
Interplay between curvature and Planck-scale effects in astrophysics and cosmology
Several recent studies have considered the implications for astrophysics and
cosmology of some possible nonclassical properties of spacetime at the Planck
scale. The new effects, such as a Planck-scale-modified energy-momentum
(dispersion) relation, are often inferred from the analysis of some quantum
versions of Minkowski spacetime, and therefore the relevant estimates depend
heavily on the assumption that there could not be significant interplay between
Planck-scale and curvature effects. We here scrutinize this assumption, using
as guidance a quantum version of de Sitter spacetime with known Inonu-Wigner
contraction to a quantum Minkowski spacetime. And we show that, contrary to
common (but unsupported) beliefs, the interplay between Planck-scale and
curvature effects can be significant. Within our illustrative example, in the
Minkowski limit the quantum-geometry deformation parameter is indeed given by
the Planck scale, while in the de Sitter picture the parameter of quantization
of geometry depends both on the Planck scale and the curvature scalar. For the
much-studied case of Planck-scale effects that intervene in the observation of
gamma-ray bursts we can estimate the implications of "quantum spacetime
curvature" within robust simplifying assumptions. For cosmology at the present
stage of the development of the relevant mathematics one cannot go beyond
semiheuristic reasoning, and we here propose a candidate approximate
description of a quantum FRW geometry, obtained by patching together pieces
(with different spacetime curvature) of our quantum de Sitter. This
semiheuristic picture, in spite of its limitations, provides rather robust
evidence that in the early Universe the interplay between Planck-scale and
curvature effects could have been particularly significant.Comment: 26 pages
Prevalence of Use and Cost of Biological Drugs for Cancer Treatment: A 5-Year Picture from Southern Italy
Background and Objectives: Considering the clinical and economic burden of biological drugs in cancer treatment, it is necessary to explore how these drugs are used in routine care in Italy and how they affect the sustainability of the National Health Services. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of use and costs of biological drugs for cancer treatment in a general population of Southern Italy in the years 2010–2014. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study using data from the healthcare administrative databases of Messina Province for the years 2010–2014. In this study, users of biological drugs for cancer treatment were characterized and the prevalence of use and costs were calculated over time. The potential impact of biosimilars on the expenditure was also estimated. Results: Of a population of 653,810 residents in the Messina area during the study years, 2491 (0.4%) patients received at least one study drug. The most frequently used were monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (n = 1607; 64.5%) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (n = 609; 24.4%). mAbs were mainly used by females (60.3%) for metastasis due to an unspecified primary tumor, lymphomas, or breast cancer (24.2, 16.7, and 13.7%, respectively). Most users of small molecules were males (56.3%) being treated for multiple myeloma, metastasis due to unspecified primary tumor, leukemia, and lung cancer (13.1, 12.6, 9.5, and 8.9%, respectively). During the study years, the prevalence of use doubled from 0.9 to 1.8 per 1000 inhabitants; likewise, the related expenditure grew from €6.6 to €13.6 million. Based on our forecasts, this expenditure will grow to €25 million in 2020. Assuming a 50% biosimilar uptake (trastuzumab and rituximab), a potential yearly saving of almost €1 million may be achieved. Conclusions: In recent years, the use and costs of biological drugs in cancer patients have increased dramatically in a large population from Southern Italy. This trend may be counterbalanced by adopting biosimilars once they are available. Claims databases represent a valid tool to monitor the uptake of newly marketed biological drugs and biosimilars
Author Correction to: Prevalence of Use and Cost of Biological Drugs for Cancer Treatment: A 5-Year Picture from Southern Italy
Unfortunately, many errors were identified in the published article. The original article was corrected
Hsp60 Is Actively Secreted by Human Tumor Cells
Background: Hsp60, a Group I mitochondrial chaperonin, is classically considered an intracellular chaperone with residence in the mitochondria; nonetheless, in the last few years it has been found extracellularly as well as in the cell membrane. Important questions remain pertaining to extracellular Hsp60 such as how generalized is its occurrence outside cells, what are its extracellular functions and the translocation mechanisms that transport the chaperone outside of the cell. These questions are particularly relevant for cancer biology since it is believed that extracellular chaperones, like Hsp70, may play an active role in tumor growth and dissemination. Methodology/Principal Findings: Since cancer cells may undergo necrosis and apoptosis, it could be possible that extracellular Hsps are chiefly the result of cell destruction but not the product of an active, physiological process. In this work, we studied three tumor cells lines and found that they all release Hsp60 into the culture media by an active mechanism independently of cell death. Biochemical analyses of one of the cell lines revealed that Hsp60 secretion was significantly reduced, by inhibitors of exosomes and lipid rafts. Conclusions/Significance: Our data suggest that Hsp60 release is the result of an active secretion mechanism and, since extracellular release of the chaperone was demonstrated in all tumor cell lines investigated, our observations most likel
Evaluating the Priorities of the Calabria's Coast FLAGs for the Improvement of the Quality of Life of the Fisheries Communities
In this study we attempt to evaluate, using a multi-criteria decision making methodology, the priorities of the directors of the six Fishery Local Action Groups (FLAGs) in Calabria Region coastal areas on some dimensions of quality of life. More specifically, the focus is on the role of the FLAGs as a policy instrument, in the context of the Community Led Local Development (CLLD), aimed at improving the quality of life of the small fisheries communities. The results have highlighted the strengths and meaningful weaknesses of the level of the perception of the quality of life of the areas where the FLAGs operated in the previous EU programming period
Quantum gravity phenomenology at the dawn of the multi-messenger era—A review
The exploration of the universe has recently entered a new era thanks to the multi-messenger paradigm, characterized by a continuous increase in the quantity and quality of experimental data that is obtained by the detection of the various cosmic messengers (photons, neutrinos, cosmic rays and gravitational waves) from numerous origins. They give us information about their sources in the universe and the properties of the intergalactic medium. Moreover, multi-messenger astronomy opens up the possibility to search for phenomenological signatures of quantum gravity. On the one hand, the most energetic events allow us to test our physical theories at energy regimes which are not directly accessible in accelerators; on the other hand, tiny effects in the propagation of very high energy particles could be amplified by cosmological distances. After decades of merely theoretical investigations, the possibility of obtaining phenomenological indications of Planck-scale effects is a revolutionary step in the quest for a quantum theory of gravity, but it requires cooperation between different communities of physicists (both theoretical and experimental). This review, prepared within the COST Action CA18108 “Quantum gravity phenomenology in the multi-messenger approach”, is aimed at promoting this cooperation by giving a state-of-the art account of the interdisciplinary expertise that is needed in the effective search of quantum gravity footprints in the production, propagation and detection of cosmic messengers.publishedVersio
Quantum gravity phenomenology at the dawn of the multi-messenger era -- A review
The exploration of the universe has recently entered a new era thanks to the
multi-messenger paradigm, characterized by a continuous increase in the
quantity and quality of experimental data that is obtained by the detection of
the various cosmic messengers (photons, neutrinos, cosmic rays and
gravitational waves) from numerous origins. They give us information about
their sources in the universe and the properties of the intergalactic medium.
Moreover, multi-messenger astronomy opens up the possibility to search for
phenomenological signatures of quantum gravity. On the one hand, the most
energetic events allow us to test our physical theories at energy regimes which
are not directly accessible in accelerators; on the other hand, tiny effects in
the propagation of very high energy particles could be amplified by
cosmological distances. After decades of merely theoretical investigations, the
possibility of obtaining phenomenological indications of Planck-scale effects
is a revolutionary step in the quest for a quantum theory of gravity, but it
requires cooperation between different communities of physicists (both
theoretical and experimental). This review is aimed at promoting this
cooperation by giving a state-of-the art account of the interdisciplinary
expertise that is needed in the effective search of quantum gravity footprints
in the production, propagation and detection of cosmic messengers