Controllability of continuous networks and a kernel-based learning approximation

Residual deep neural networks are formulated as interacting particle systems leading to a description through neural differential equations, and, in the case of large input data, through mean-field neural networks. The mean-field description allows also the recast of the training processes as a controllability problem for the solution to the mean-field dynamics. We show theoretical results on the controllability of the linear microscopic and mean-field dynamics through the Hilbert Uniqueness Method and propose a computational approach based on kernel learning methods to solve numerically, and efficiently, the training problem. Further aspects of the structural properties of the mean-field equation will be reviewed

New body metrics to determine asteroid size and weight directly in the field

Asteroids are an important group of predators in many marine ecosystems. The measure of body size is crucial in studying asteroid biology as this variable affects both prey selection and predation impact. Current field techniques for estimating asteroid size (i.e. total length TL, total weight TW) include the measure of correlated variables, such us the central disk (CD) and arm length (AL). However, these variables are often time-consuming and require a direct handling of the organism. We tested the accuracy of new asteroid body metrics, the arm height (AH) or arm width (AW), to rapidly estimate body size in asteroids. AH and AW were measured in three of the most common Mediterranean asteroids (Marthasterias glacialis, Ophidiaster ophidianus and Coscinasterias tenuispina), sampled from April to August 2008, along the coasts of Ustica Island off the northern coast of Sicily. We used both linear and exponential regression analyses to compare the performance of AH, AL, AW and CD in estimat- ing size for the three species studied. Results suggest that, in M. glacialis and C. tenuispina, AH is strongly correlated (p<0.001) with both TL and TW, whereas in O. ophidianus it gives a good correlation (p<0.001) with TW only. AW was poorly correlated with both TL and TW in M. glacialis and C. tenuispina, but not in O. ophidianus, where it showed the highest correlation with TW. Thus, only the novel AH measure constitutes a convenient and reliable way of measuring asteroid body size in the field.peer-reviewe

Improved upper bounds for the expected circuit complexity of dense systems of linear equations over GF(2)

Minimizing the Boolean circuit implementation of a given cryptographic function is an important issue. A number of papers [12,13,11,5] only consider cancellation-free straight-line programs for producing short circuits over GF(2) while [4] does not. Boyar-Peralta (BP) heuristic [4] yields a valuable tool for practical applications such as building fast software and low-power circuits for cryptographic applications, e.g. AES [4], PRESENT [7], and GOST [7]. However, BP heuristic does not take into account the matrix density. In a dense linear system the rows can be computed by adding or removing a few elements from a common path that is close to almost all rows. The new heuristic described in this paper will merge the idea of cancellation and common path . An extensive testing activity has been performed. Experimental results of new and BP heuristic were compared. They show that the Boyar-Peralta bounds are not tight on dense systems

The rise of thermophilic sea urchins and the expansion of barren grounds in the Mediterranean Sea

Recent ecological studies have shown a strong relation between temperature, echinoids and their grazing effects on macro-algal communities. In this study, we speculate that climate warming may result in an increasingly favourable environment for the reproduction and development of the sea urchin Arbacia lixula. The relationship between increased A. lixula density and the extent of barren grounds in the Mediterranean Sea is also discussed

Triple peptide vaccination as consolidation treatment in women affected by ovarian and breast cancer: clinical and immunological data of a phase I/II clinical trial

Vaccination with priming and expansion of tumour reacting T cells is an important therapeutic option to be used in combination with novel checkpoint inhibitors to increase the specificity of the T cell infiltrate and the efficacy of the treatment. In this phase I/II study, 14 high-risk disease-free ovarian (OC) and breast cancer (BC) patients after completion of standard therapies were vaccinated with MUC1, ErbB2 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) HLA-A2+-restricted peptides and Montanide. Patients were subjected to 6 doses of vaccine every two weeks and a recall dose after 3 months. ECOG grade 2 toxicity was observed at the injection site. Eight out of 14 patients showed specific CD8+ T cells to at least one antigen. None of 4 patients vaccinated for compassionate use showed a CD8 activation. An OC patient who suffered from a lymph nodal recurrence, showed specific anti-ErbB2 CD8+ T cells in the bulky aortic lymph nodes suggesting homingof the activated T cells. Results confirm that peptide vaccination strategy is feasible, safe and well tolerated. In particular OC patients appear to show a higher response rate compared to BC patients. Vaccination generates a long-lasting immune response, which is strongly enhanced by recall administrations. The clinical outcome of patients enrolled in the trial appears favourable, having registered no deceased patients with a minimum follow-up of 8 years. These promising data, in line with the results of similar studies, the high compliance of patients observed and the favourable toxicity profile, support future trials of peptide vaccination in clinically disease-free patients who have completed standard treatments

Stocking Density Affects Welfare Indicators in Horses Reared for Meat Production

Horses kept for meat production are reared in intensive breeding farms. We employed a checklist adapted from the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) assessment protocol. Our evaluation aims to assess whether welfare indicators are influenced by stocking densities (m2/horse) and feeding strategies applied. An analysis was carried out on the data obtained from 7 surveys conducted at a single horse farm designed for meat production. In each survey, the same 12 pens were assessed, but on each occasion, the horses in the pens had been changed as had the stocking densities. Briefly, 561 horses aged 16 ± 8 months (mean ± standard deviation) were evaluated. Two stocking density cut-off values (median and 75th percentile: 3.95 and 4.75 m2/horse, respectively) were applied to investigate the effect of stocking density on horse welfare. Data were analysed using Mann–Whitney U and Fisher’s exact tests (p < 0.05). When cut-off was set as the median percentile, lower stocking density was associated with improvements in body condition score (BCS), coat cleanliness and bedding quantity, less coughing, less resting in a standing position, and less feeding related to the greater space available at the feed bunk. When the 75th percentile cut-off was used, indicators that improved were coat cleanliness, bedding quantity and mane and tail condition, as well as less resting in standing position and less feeding related to the greater space available at the feed bunk. Accordingly, the use of two different stocking density cut-off values showed that the increase of space allowance affected specific welfare indicators. Further increment of space and/or changes in management regimes should be investigated to improve all the indicators. Moreover, results related to feeding indicated the need to intervene as starch intakes exceeded recommended safe levels, negatively affecting horse welfare

Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children: state of the art

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) represents only part of a large group of pathologies of variable entity called respiratory sleep disorders (RSD) which include simple snoring and increased upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). Although the etiopathogenesis of adult OSAS is well known, many aspects of this syndrome in children are still debated. Its prevalence is about 2% in children from 2 to 8 years of age, mostly related to the size of the upper airways adenoid tissue. Several risk factors linked to the development of OSAS are typical of the pediatric age. The object of this paper is to analyze the state of the art on this specific topic, discussing its implications in terms of diagnosis and management

Sarcopenia and bone health: new acquisitions for a firm liaison

Osteosarcopenia (OS) is a newly defined condition represented by the simultaneous presence of osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia, the main age-related diseases. The simultaneous coexistence of the two phenotypes derives from the close connection of the main target tissues involved in their pathogenesis: bone and muscle. These two actors constitute the bone-muscle unit, which communicates through a biochemical and mechanical crosstalk which involves multiple factors. Altered pattern of molecular pathways leads to an impairment of both the functionality of the tissue itself and the communication with the complementary tissue, composing the OS pathogenesis. Recent advances in the genetics field have provided the opportunity to delve deeper into the complex biological and molecular mechanisms underlying OS. Unfortunately, there are still many gaps in our understanding of these pathways, but it has proven essential to apply strategies such as exercise and nutritional intervention to counteract OS. New therapeutic strategies that simultaneously target bone and muscle tissue are limited, but recently new targets for the development of dual-action drug therapies have been identified. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the latest scientific evidence associated with OS, a complex disorder that will pave the way for future research aimed at understanding the bone-muscle-associated pathogenetic mechanisms

Monoclonal Antibodies in Gynecological Cancer: A Critical Point of View

During the last decades, several improvements in treating gynecological malignancies have been achieved. In particular, target therapies, mostly monoclonal antibodies, have emerged as an attractive option for the treatment of these malignancies. In fact, various molecular-targeted agents have been developed for a variety of malignancies with the objective to interfere with a precise tumor associated receptor, essential for cancer cell survival or proliferation, blocking its function, of the cancer cells. Alternatively, monoclonal antibodies have been developed to block immune suppression or enhance functions of immune effector cells. So far, several monoclonal antibodies have been tested for clinical efficacy for the treatment of gynecological cancers. Antibodies against Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) have been used in different neoplasms such as ovarian and cervical cancer. Catumazumab, a bivalent antibody against CD3 and EpCAM, is effective in the treatment of neoplastic ascites. Other antibodies are peculiar for specific cancer-associated antigen such as Oregovomab against CA125 or Farletuzumab against the folate receptor. Here we describe the preclinical and clinical experience gained up to now with monoclonal antibodies in tumors of the female genital tract and trace future therapeutic and research venues