Co-axial wet-spinning in 3D Bioprinting: state of the art and future perspective of microfluidic integration

Nowadays, 3D bioprinting technologies are rapidly emerging in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as effective tools enabling the fabrication of advanced tissue constructs that can recapitulate in vitro organ/tissue functions. Selecting the best strategy for bioink deposition is often challenging and time consuming process, as bioink properties-in the first instance, rheological and gelation-strongly influence the suitable paradigms for its deposition. In this short review, we critically discuss one of the available approaches used for bioprinting-namely co-axial wet-spinning extrusion. Such a deposition system, in fact, demonstrated to be promising in terms of printing resolution, shape fidelity and versatility when compared to other methods. An overview of the performances of co-axial technology in the deposition of cellularized hydrogel fibres is discussed, highlighting its main features. Furthermore, we show how this approach allows (i) to decouple the printing accuracy from bioink rheological behaviour-thus notably simplifying the development of new bioinks- A nd (ii) to build heterogeneous multi-materials and/or multicellular constructs that can better mimic the native tissues when combined with microfluidic systems. Finally, the ongoing challenges and the future perspectives for the ultimate fabrication of functional constructs for advanced research studies are highlighted. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd

Position Paper: On the Role of Abductive Reasoning in Semantic Image Segmentation

This position paper provides insights aiming at resolving the most pressing needs and issues of computer vision algorithms. Specifically, these problems relate to the scarcity of data, the inability of such algorithms to adapt to never-seen-before conditions, and the challenge of developing explainable and trustworthy algorithms. This work proposes the incorporation of reasoning systems, and in particular of abductive reasoning, into image segmentation algorithms as a potential solution to the aforementioned issues

Epistemic Logic Programs: a study of some properties

Epistemic Logic Programs (ELPs), extend Answer Set Programming (ASP) with epistemic operators. The semantics of such programs is provided in terms of world views, which are sets of belief sets, i.e., syntactically, sets of sets of atoms. Different semantic approaches propose different characterizations of world views. Recent work has introduced semantic properties that should be met by any semantics for ELPs, like the Epistemic Splitting Property, that, if satisfied, allows to modularly compute world views in a bottom-up fashion, analogously to ``traditional'' ASP. We analyze the possibility of changing the perspective, shifting from a bottom-up to a top-down approach to splitting. We propose a basic top-down approach, which we prove to be equivalent to the bottom-up one. We then propose an extended approach, where our new definition: (i) is provably applicable to many of the existing semantics; (ii) operates similarly to ``traditional'' ASP; (iii) provably coincides under any semantics with the bottom-up notion of splitting at least on the class of Epistemically Stratified Programs (which are, intuitively, those where the use of epistemic operators is stratified); (iv) better adheres to common ASP programming methodology.Comment: Under consideration in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming (TPLP

Multi-context systems in time

In this paper we consider how to enhance flexibility and generality in Multi-Context Systems (MCS) by considering that contexts can evolve over time, that bridge-rule application can be proactive (according to a context's specific choice), and not instantaneous but requiring an execution mechanism. We introduce bridge-rule patterns to make bridge-rules parametric w.r.t. the involved contexts

The effect of X-ray dust-scattering on a bright burst from the magnetar 1E 1547.0-5408

A bright burst, followed by an X-ray tail lasting ~10 ks, was detected during an XMM-Newton observation of the magnetar 1E 1547.0-5408 carried out on 2009 February 3. The burst, also observed by SWIFT/BAT, had a spectrum well fit by the sum of two blackbodies with temperatures of ~4 keV and 10 keV and a fluence in the 0.3-150 keV energy range of ~1e-5 erg/cm2. The X-ray tail had a fluence of ~4e-8 erg/cm2. Thanks to the knowledge of the distances and relative optical depths of three dust clouds between us and 1E 1547.0-5408, we show that most of the X-rays in the tail can be explained by dust scattering of the burst emission, except for the first ~20-30 s. We point out that other X-ray tails observed after strong magnetar bursts may contain a non-negligible contribution due to dust scattering.Comment: 8 pages, 2 tables and 10 figures; accepted to publication in MNRA

Features of the Primordial Universe in f(R)-gravity as viewed in the Jordan frame

We analyze some relevant features of the primordial Universe as viewed in the Jordan frame formulation of the f(R)-gravity, especially when the potential term of the non-minimally coupled scalar field is negligible. We start formulating the Hamiltonian picture in the Jordan frame, using the 3-metric determinant as a basic variable and we outline that its conjugated momentum appears linearly only in the scalar constraint. Then, we construct the basic formalism to characterize the dynamics of a generic inhomogeneous cosmological model and specialize it in order to describe behaviors of the Bianchi Universes, both on a classical and a quantum regime. As a fundamental issue, we demonstrate that, when the potential term of the additional scalar mode is negligible near enough to the initial singularity, the Bianchi IX cosmology is no longer affected by the chaotic behavior, typical in vacuum of the standard Einsteinian dynamics. In fact, the presence of stable Kasner stability region and its actractive character are properly characterized. Finally, we investigate the canonical quantization of the Bianchi I model, using as time variable the non-minimally coupled scalar field and showing that the existence of a conserved current is outlined for the corresponding Wheeler-DeWitt equation. The behavior of a localized wave-packet for the isotropic Universe is also evolved, demonstrating that the singularity is still present in this revised quantum dynamics.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figure

Psychosocial Interventions for the Enhancement of Psychological Resources among Dyslexic Adults: A Systematic Review

Dyslexic employees are likely to be more at risk of low levels of personal resources because of their cognitive makeup compared to their non-dyslexic counterparts. Low personal resources, in turn, may lead to low employability because of difficulties in positively facing transitions. This research aimed to systematically review evidence on interventions for improving psychological resources in dyslexic adults. We searched Scopus, ERIC EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, Social Science Citation Index Web of Science, and Universe up to May 2020. We also examined the reference lists of published studies. We included studies that compared any intervention format against no intervention, any other intervention considered as a comparator by the authors, or that had no control group. Participants were dyslexic adults aged minimum 18 years old. We included four studies with 278 participants. Studies were run in the UK, Sweden, and Finland. Two studies involved a control group, and two studies were observational. Interventions varied between studies in intensity, duration, and format (individual and small groups). Risk of bias was unclear for most risk criteria. Findings from this review show that there is initial evidence suggesting initiatives can be effective in supporting a set of personal resources, i.e., self-confidence, organization, time, and stress-management, which are important in allowing dyslexic adults\u2019 positive adjustment in the workplace. Yet, more studies are needed to improve outcome assessment and study design

RELATIVISMO MORAL NAS CIÊNCIAS SOCIAIS COMPREENDIDO A PARTIR DAS IDEIAS E PERSPECTIVAS DE KUHN A ARENDT

The present essay has the purpose of explaining, though the perspectives of six different thinkers and scientists, what is the philosophical idea of Moral Relativism within Social Sciences – with a special focus on International Relations –, how might it be useful in understanding its (philosophical) implications for future research, and what could be the possible alternatives. The thinkers and authors discussed are Thomas Kuhn, Hannah Arendt, Charles Wright Mills, Arnold Brecht, Kees Van Der Pijl and Jeppe Nicolaisen. Some of them don’t discuss directly about Moral Relativism, while others deal specifically with the theme. Ideas of what power and truth are also discussed. By the end of the essay it is affirmed how this philosophical idea was and is used by the elite to influence unconsciously the opinion and moral ideas for their own benefits, and to keep the status-quo.O presente ensaio tem por objetivo explicar, através das perspectivas de seis diferentes pensadores e cientistas, o que é a ideia filosófica de Relativismo Moral nas Ciências Sociais - com especial enfoque nas Relações Internacionais -, como pode ser útil a sua compreensão (filosófica), quais as implicações para pesquisas futuras, e quais poderiam ser as alternativas possíveis. Os pensadores e autores discutidos são Thomas Kuhn, Hannah Arendt, Charles Wright Mills, Arnold Brecht, Kees Van Der Pijl e Jeppe Nicolaisen. Alguns deles não discutem diretamente sobre o Relativismo Moral, enquanto outros tratam especificamente do tema. Idéias sobre o que é poder e verdade também são discutidas. Ao final do ensaio afirma-se como essa ideia filosófica foi e ainda é utilizada pelas elites para influenciar inconscientemente a opinião e as ideias morais em seu próprio benefício, ou seja para manter o status-quo

Local anaesthesia efficacy as postoperative analgesia for open shoulder instability surgery. a prospective randomised controlled study

Background and objectives: The aim of present study was to evaluate for the first time, the clinical effect of local anaesthetic infiltration as postoperative analgesia in open shoulder surgery for anterior-inferior instability. The comparison of the local infiltration and interscalenic brachial plexus block to a control group test the local anaesthetic efficacy in this surgery. Methods: 78 patients scheduled for open shoulder surgery were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of three groups: local infiltration anaesthesia (LIA), interscalenic brachial plexus block (IBPB) and control (C). All patients received standardized general anaesthesia and all injections were performed with the same dose and volume of anaesthetic. The number boluses delivered by a PCA pump applied at the end of surgery and the visual analogue score (VAS) at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours after intervention were recorded. A patient satisfaction score was also assessed. Results: Mean bolus consumption of the rescue analgesic, compared to C, was significantly less both in the LIA and IBPB groups (P<0.05). The IBPB group showed VAS scores that were significantly better than C group at all time points (P<0.05). The VAS scores for LIA group were clinically comparable to IBPB, and only at the 2 and 6 hours, postoperative time points there were no significant differences found in respect to the C group. IBPB and LIA showed comparable patient satisfaction scores. Conclusion: The local anaesthetic infiltration as postoperative analgesia appears to be a clinically valid alternative, statistically comparable to IBPB, with no clinical meaningful adverse effects