An Iterative Procedure for Combining the Advantages of a Multi-Frequency and Multi-Resolution Inversion Algorithm

Starting from the iterative multi�]scaling approach previously studied for monochromatic illuminations, two multi�]resolution strategies for dealing with multi�]frequency inverse scattering experiments have been developed. The first procedure is based on the integration of the iterative multi�]scaling algorithm into a frequency�]hopping reconstruction scheme, while in the second one the multi�]frequency data are simultaneously processed exploiting a multi�]resolution expansion of the problem unknowns. The numerical and the experimental analysis presented in this contribution concern with a preliminary assessment of the reconstruction effectiveness of the proposed approaches in comparison with a monochromatic multi�]step process. This is the author's version of the final version available at IEEE

FaceMashup: An end-user development tool for social network data

Every day, each active social network user produces and shares texts, images and videos. While developers can access such data through application programming interfaces (APIs) for creating games, visualizations and routines, end users have less control on such information. Their access is mediated by the social application features, which limits them in combining sources, filtering results and performing actions on groups of elements. In order to fill this gap, we introduce FaceMashup, an end user development (EUD) environment supporting the manipulation of the Facebook graph. We describe the tool interface, documenting the choices we made during the design iterations. Data types are represented through widgets containing user interface (UI) elements similar to those used in the social network application. Widgets can be connected with each other with the drag and drop of their inner fields, and the application updates their content. Finally, we report the results of a user-test on the FaceMashup prototype, which shows a good acceptance of the environment by end-users

Full-Vectorial Three-Dimensional Microwave Imaging Through the Iterative Multi-Scaling Strategy: a Preliminary Assessment

In this paper, a multi-scaling strategy for full-vectorial three-dimensional inverse scattering problems is presented. The approach is fully iterative and it avoids solving any forward problem at each step. Thanks to the adaptive multi-resolution model, which offers considerable flexibility for the inclusion of the a-priori knowledge and of the knowledge acquired during the iterative steps of the multi-scaling process, the overall computational burden is considerably reduced. This allows to balance effectively the trade-off between computational costs and achievable resolution accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a selected set of preliminary experiments using homogeneous dielectric scatterers in a noisy synthetic environment

Recent Advances in the Iterative Multizooming Reconstruction of Nonmeasurable Equivalent Current Densities for Non-Invasive Diagnostic Applications

In the framework of the inversion of electromagnetic data, several methodologies consider the introduction of an equivalent current density defined into the dielectric domain to be reconstructed

A Comparison Between Deterministic and Stochastic Inversions of Phaseless Data for Microwave Imaging

The development of microwave imaging techniques and their application are strongly related to the possibility to realize fast and cheap measurement systems. On the contrary, the phase acquisition usually requires complex and expensive apparatus and it turns out to be critical especially at high frequencies. Moreover, holographic and interferometric methods, often used in optical applications [1], are usually characterized by a high computational burden because of the time‐consuming data post‐processing. Consequently, the study of efficient algorithms for the reconstruction from amplitude‐only data is necessary in several applications. Also published in: Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symposium Abstracts, Hangzhou, China, March 24-28, 200

Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Patients with Cancer

: Children with cancer are at high risk for developing short-term and long-term nutritional problems related to their underlying disease and side effects of multimodal treatments. Nutritional status (NS) can influence several clinical outcomes, such as overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS), treatment tolerance, risk of developing infections and quality of life (QoL). However, the importance of nutrition in children with cancer is still underestimated. This review focuses on alterations of NS that occurs in children during cancer treatment. In particular, we reviewed the pathogenesis of undernutrition in oncological children, as well as how NS affects treatment tolerance and response, the immune system and the risk of infections of children with cancer. Thanks to recent advances in all types of supportive therapy and to the progress of knowledge on this topic, it has been realized that NS is a modifiable prognostic factor that can be intervened upon to improve the outcome of these patients. Currently, there is a lack of a systematic approach and standard recommendations for nutritional care in the pediatric cancer population. Literature analysis showed that it is essential to define the NS and treat any alterations in a timely manner ensuring proper growth and development. Nutritional follow-up should become an integral part of the care pathway. Regular nutritional monitoring should be performed at diagnosis, during treatment and during follow-up. A close collaboration and sharing of expertise between pediatric oncologists and nutrition specialists, combined with careful and participatory sharing of the feeding experience with the family and the child (after age 6 years), is strongly required

The challenge of sustainability in healthcare systems: Frequency and cost of inappropriate patterns of breast cancer care (the E.Pic.A study).

Abstract Objectives In a context of decreasing economic health resources and a rise in health needs, it is urgent to face this sustainability crisis through the analysis of healthcare expenditures. Wastages, deriving from inappropriate interventions, erode resources which could be reallocated to high-value activities. To identify these areas of wastages, we developed a method for combining and analyzing data from multiple sources. Here we report the preliminary results of a retrospective cohort study evaluating the performance of breast cancer (BC) care at IRST, an Italian cancer institute. Materials and methods Four data sources gathered in a real-world setting (a clinical database, two administrative databases and a cancer registry) were linked. Essential Key Performance Indexes (KPIs) in the pattern of BC diagnosis (KPI 1 and 2) and treatment (KPI 3 and 4) based on current guidelines were developed by a board of professionals. The costs of inappropriate examinations were associated with the diagnostic KPIs. Results We found that 2798 patients treated at IRST from January 2010 to June 2016 received a total of 2516 inappropriate examinations accounting for € 573,510.80. Linkage from multiple routine healthcare data sources is feasible: it allows the measurement of important KPIs specifically designed for BC care, and the identification of areas of low-value use of the resources. Conclusion If systematically applied, this method could help provide a complete picture of inappropriateness and waste, redirect these resources to higher-value interventions for patients, and fill the gap between proper use of the resources and the best clinical results