Implementation of neural networks for classification of moss and lichen samples on the basis of gamma-ray spectrometric analysis

Mosses and lichens have an important role in biomonitoring. The objective of this study is to develop a neural network model to classify these plants according to geographical origin. A three-layer feed-forward neural network was used. The activities of radionuclides (Ra-226, U-238, U-235, K-40, Th-232, Cs-134, Cs-137 and Be-7) detected in plant samples by gamma-ray spectrometry were used as inputs for neural network. Five different training algorithms with different number of samples in training sets were tested and compared, in order to find the one with the minimum root mean square error. The best predictive power for the classification of plants from 12 regions was achieved using a network with 5 hidden layer nodes and 3,000 training epochs, using the online back-propagation randomized training algorithm. Implementation of this model to experimental data resulted in satisfactory classification of moss and lichen samples in terms of their geographical origin. The average classification rate obtained in this study was (90.7 +/- 4.8)%

Risk factors and action thresholds for the novel coronavirus pandemic. Insights from the Italian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Survey

365noBackground and aim: Over 80% (365/454) of the nation’s centers participated in the Italian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Survey. Out of 60,441 surveyed patients, 1368 were infected as of April 23rd, 2020. However, center-specific proportions showed substantial heterogeneity. We therefore undertook new analyses to identify explanatory factors, contextual effects, and decision rules for infection containment. Methods: We investigated fixed factors and contextual effects by multilevel modeling. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis was used to develop decision rules. Results: Increased positivity among hemodialysis patients was predicted by center location [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–1.51], positive healthcare workers (IRR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.17), test-all policy (IRR 5.94, 95% CI 3.36–10.45), and infected proportion in the general population (IRR 1.002, 95% CI 1.001–1.003) (all p < 0.01). Conversely, lockdown duration exerted a protective effect (IRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.94–0.98) (p < 0.01). The province-contextual effects accounted for 10% of the total variability. Predictive factors for peritoneal dialysis and transplant cases were center location and infected proportion in the general population. Using recursive partitioning, we identified decision thresholds at general population incidence ≥ 229 per 100,000 and at ≥ 3 positive healthcare workers. Conclusions: Beyond fixed risk factors, shared with the general population, the increased and heterogeneous proportion of positive patients is related to the center’s testing policy, the number of positive patients and healthcare workers, and to contextual effects at the province level. Nephrology centers may adopt simple decision rules to strengthen containment measures timely.nonenoneNordio M.; Reboldi G.; Di Napoli A.; Quintaliani G.; Alberici F.; Postorino M.; Aucella F.; Messa P.; Brunori G.; Brunori G.; Bosco M.; Malberti F.; Mandreoli M.; Mazzaferro S.; Movilli E.; Ravera M.; Salomone M.; Santoro D.; PostorinoLimido M.A.; Bonomini M.; Stingone A.; Maccarone M.; Di Loreto E.; Stacchiotti L.; Malandra R.; Chiarella S.; D'Agostino F.; Fuiano G.; Nicodemo L.; Bonofiglio R.; Greco S.; Mallamaci F.; Barreca E.; Caserta C.; Bruzzese V.; Galati D.; Tramontana D.; Viscione M.; Chiuchiolo L.; Tuccillo S.; Sepe M.; Vitale F.; Ciriana E.; Santoro D.; Martignetti V.; Caserta D.; Stizzo A.; Romano A.; Iulianiello G.; Cascone E.; Minicone P.; Chiricone D.; Delgado G.; Barbato A.; Celentano S.; Molfino I.; Coppola S.; Raiola I.; Abategiovanni M.; Borrelli S.; Margherita C.; Bruno F.; Ida M.; Aliperti E.; Potito D.; Cuomo G.; De Luca M.; Merola M.; Botta C.; Garofalo G.; Alinei P.; Paglionico C.; Roano M.; Vitale S.; Ierardi R.; Fimiani V.; Conte G.; Di Natale G.; Romano M.; Di Marino V.; Scafarto A.; Meccariello S.; Pecoraro C.; Di Stazio E.; Di Meglio E.; Cuomo A.; Maresca B.; Rotaia E.; Capasso G.; Auricchio M.; Pluvio C.; Maddalena L.; De Maio A.; Palladino G.; Buono F.; Gigliotti G.; Mandreoli M.; Mancini E.; La Manna G.; Storari A.; Mosconi G.; Cappelli G.; Scarpioni R.; Gregorini M.; Rigotti A.; Mancini W.; Bianco F.; Boscutti G.; Amici G.; Tosto M.; Fini R.; Pace G.; Cioffi A.; Boccia E.; Di Lullo L.; Di Zazzo G.; Simonelli R.; Bondatti F.; Miglio L.; Rifici N.; Treglia A.; Muci M.; Baldinelli G.; Rizzi E.; Lonzi M.; De Cicco C.; Forte F.; De Paolis P.; Grandaliano G.; Cuzziol C.; Torre V.M.; Sfregola P.; Rossi V.; Fabio G.; Flammini A.; Filippini A.; Onorato L.; Vendola F.; Di Daniela N.; Alfarone C.; Scabbia L.; Ferrazzano M.; Grotta B.D.; Gamberini M.; Fazzari L.; Mene P.; Morgia A.; Catucci A.; Palumbo R.; Puliti M.; Marinelli R.; Polito P.; Marrocco F.; Morabito S.; Rocca R.; Nazzaro L.; Lavini R.; Iamundo V.; Chiappini M.; Casarci M.; Morosetti M.; Hassan S.; Alfarone C.; Ferrazzano M.; Firmi G.; Galliani M.; Serraiocco M.; Feriozzi S.; Valentini W.; Sacco P.; Garibotto G.; Cappelli V.; Saffioti C.; Repetto M.; Rolla D.; Lorenz M.; Pedrini L.; Polonioli D.; Galli E.; Ruggenenti P.; Scolari F.; Bove S.; Costantino E.; Bracchi M.; Mangano S.; Depetri G.; Malberti F.; La Milia V.; Farina M.; Zecchini S.; Savino R.; Melandri M.; Guastoni C.; Paparella M.; Gallieni M.; Minetti E.; Bisegna S.; Messa P.; Righetti M.; Badalamenti S.; Guastoni C.; Alberghini E.; Bertoli S.; Fabbrini P.; Albrizio P.; Rampino T.; Colturi C.; Rombola G.; Lucatello A.; Guerrini E.; Ranghino A.; Lenci F.; Fanciulli E.; Santarelli S.; Damiani C.; Garofalo D.; Sopranzi F.; Santoferrara A.; Di Luca M.; Galiotta P.; Brigante M.; Manganaro M.; Maffei S.; Berto I.; Besso L.; Viglino G.; Besso L.; Cusinato S.; ChiarinottiChiappero D.F.; Tognarelli G.; Gianoglio B.; Salomone M.; Forneris G.; Biancone L.; Savoldi S.; Vitale C.; Boero R.; Filiberti O.; Borzumati M.; Gesualdo L.; Lomonte C.; Gernone G.; Pallotta G.; Di Paolo S.; Vernaglione L.; Specchio A.; Stallone G.; Dell'Aquila R.; Aucella F.; Sandri G.; Russo F.; Napoli M.; Marangi A.; Morrone L.; Di Stratis C.; Fresu A.; Cicu F.; Murtas S.; Manca O.; Pani A.; Pilloni M.; Pistis R.; Cadoni M.; Contu B.; Logias F.; Ivaldi R.; Fancello S.; Cossu M.; Lepori G.; Lepori G.; Vittoria S.; Battiati E.; Arnone M.; Rome M.; Barbera A.; Granata A.; Collura G.; Dico C.L.; Pugliese G.; Di Natale E.; Rizzari G.; Cottone L.; Longo N.; Battaglia G.; Marcantoni C.; Giannetto G.; Tumino G.; Randazzo F.; Bellissimo L.; Faro F.L.; Grippaldi F.; Urso S.; Quattrone G.; Todaro I.; Vincenzo D.; Murgo A.; Masuzzo M.; Pisacane A.; Monardo P.; Santoro D.; Pontorierro M.; Quari C.; Bauro A.; Chimenz R.R.; Alfio D.; Girasole F.; Cascio A.L.; Caviglia A.; Tornese F.; Sirna F.; Altieri C.; Cusumano R.; Saveriano V.; La Corte A.; Locascio G.; Rotolo U.; Rome M.; Musso S.; Risuglia L.; Blanco G.; Minardo G.; Castellino S.; Zappulla Z.; Randone S.; Di Francesca M.; Cassetti C.C.; Oddo G.; Buscaino G.; Mucaria F.; Barraco V.I.; Di Martino A.; Mucaria F.; Rallo D.; Dani L.; Campolo G.; Manescalchi F.; Biagini M.; Agate M.; Panichi V.; Casani A.; Traversari L.; Garosi G.; Brunori G.; Tabbi M.; Selvi A.; Cencioni L.; Fagugli R.; Timio F.; Leveque A.; Manes M.; Mennella G.; Calo L.; Fiorini F.; Abaterusso C.; Calzavara P.; Nordio M.; Meneghel G.; Bonesso C.; Gambaro G.; Gammaro L.; Rugiu C.; Dell'Aquila R.; Dell'Aquila R.; Ronco C.; Rugiu C.Nordio, M.; Reboldi, G.; Di Napoli, A.; Quintaliani, G.; Alberici, F.; Postorino, M.; Aucella, F.; Messa, P.; Brunori, G.; Brunori, G.; Bosco, M.; Malberti, F.; Mandreoli, M.; Mazzaferro, S.; Movilli, E.; Ravera, M.; Salomone, M.; Santoro, D.; Postorinolimido, M. A.; Bonomini, M.; Stingone, A.; Maccarone, M.; Di Loreto, E.; Stacchiotti, L.; Malandra, R.; Chiarella, S.; D'Agostino, F.; Fuiano, G.; Nicodemo, L.; Bonofiglio, R.; Greco, S.; Mallamaci, F.; Barreca, E.; Caserta, C.; Bruzzese, V.; Galati, D.; Tramontana, D.; Viscione, M.; Chiuchiolo, L.; Tuccillo, S.; Sepe, M.; Vitale, F.; Ciriana, E.; Santoro, D.; Martignetti, V.; Caserta, D.; Stizzo, A.; Romano, A.; Iulianiello, G.; Cascone, E.; Minicone, P.; Chiricone, D.; Delgado, G.; Barbato, A.; Celentano, S.; Molfino, I.; Coppola, S.; Raiola, I.; Abategiovanni, M.; Borrelli, S.; Margherita, C.; Bruno, F.; Ida, M.; Aliperti, E.; Potito, D.; Cuomo, G.; De Luca, M.; Merola, M.; Botta, C.; Garofalo, G.; Alinei, P.; Paglionico, C.; Roano, M.; Vitale, S.; Ierardi, R.; Fimiani, V.; Conte, G.; Di Natale, G.; Romano, M.; Di Marino, V.; Scafarto, A.; Meccariello, S.; Pecoraro, C.; Di Stazio, E.; Di Meglio, E.; Cuomo, A.; Maresca, B.; Rotaia, E.; Capasso, G.; Auricchio, M.; Pluvio, C.; Maddalena, L.; De Maio, A.; Palladino, G.; Buono, F.; Gigliotti, G.; Mandreoli, M.; Mancini, E.; La Manna, G.; Storari, A.; Mosconi, G.; Cappelli, G.; Scarpioni, R.; Gregorini, M.; Rigotti, A.; Mancini, W.; Bianco, F.; Boscutti, G.; Amici, G.; Tosto, M.; Fini, R.; Pace, G.; Cioffi, A.; Boccia, E.; Di Lullo, L.; Di Zazzo, G.; Simonelli, R.; Bondatti, F.; Miglio, L.; Rifici, N.; Treglia, A.; Muci, M.; Baldinelli, G.; Rizzi, E.; Lonzi, M.; De Cicco, C.; Forte, F.; De Paolis, P.; Grandaliano, G.; Cuzziol, C.; Torre, V. M.; Sfregola, P.; Rossi, V.; Fabio, G.; Flammini, A.; Filippini, A.; Onorato, L.; Vendola, F.; Di Daniela, N.; Alfarone, C.; Scabbia, L.; Ferrazzano, M.; Grotta, B. D.; Gamberini, M.; Fazzari, L.; Mene, P.; Morgia, A.; Catucci, A.; Palumbo, R.; Puliti, M.; Marinelli, R.; Polito, P.; Marrocco, F.; Morabito, S.; Rocca, R.; Nazzaro, L.; Lavini, R.; Iamundo, V.; Chiappini, M.; Casarci, M.; Morosetti, M.; Hassan, S.; Alfarone, C.; Ferrazzano, M.; Firmi, G.; Galliani, M.; Serraiocco, M.; Feriozzi, S.; Valentini, W.; Sacco, P.; Garibotto, G.; Cappelli, V.; Saffioti, C.; Repetto, M.; Rolla, D.; Lorenz, M.; Pedrini, L.; Polonioli, D.; Galli, E.; Ruggenenti, P.; Scolari, F.; Bove, S.; Costantino, E.; Bracchi, M.; Mangano, S.; Depetri, G.; Malberti, F.; La Milia, V.; Farina, M.; Zecchini, S.; Savino, R.; Melandri, M.; Guastoni, C.; Paparella, M.; Gallieni, M.; Minetti, E.; Bisegna, S.; Messa, P.; Righetti, M.; Badalamenti, S.; Guastoni, C.; Alberghini, E.; Bertoli, S.; Fabbrini, P.; Albrizio, P.; Rampino, T.; Colturi, C.; Rombola, G.; Lucatello, A.; Guerrini, E.; Ranghino, A.; Lenci, F.; Fanciulli, E.; Santarelli, S.; Damiani, C.; Garofalo, D.; Sopranzi, F.; Santoferrara, A.; Di Luca, M.; Galiotta, P.; Brigante, M.; Manganaro, M.; Maffei, S.; Berto, I.; Besso, L.; Viglino, G.; Besso, L.; Cusinato, S.; Chiarinottichiappero, D. F.; Tognarelli, G.; Gianoglio, B.; Salomone, M.; Forneris, G.; Biancone, L.; Savoldi, S.; Vitale, C.; Boero, R.; Filiberti, O.; Borzumati, M.; Gesualdo, L.; Lomonte, C.; Gernone, G.; Pallotta, G.; Di Paolo, S.; Vernaglione, L.; Specchio, A.; Stallone, G.; Dell'Aquila, R.; Aucella, F.; Sandri, G.; Russo, F.; Napoli, M.; Marangi, A.; Morrone, L.; Di Stratis, C.; Fresu, A.; Cicu, F.; Murtas, S.; Manca, O.; Pani, A.; Pilloni, M.; Pistis, R.; Cadoni, M.; Contu, B.; Logias, F.; Ivaldi, R.; Fancello, S.; Cossu, M.; Lepori, G.; Lepori, G.; Vittoria, S.; Battiati, E.; Arnone, M.; Rome, M.; Barbera, A.; Granata, A.; Collura, G.; Dico, C. L.; Pugliese, G.; Di Natale, E.; Rizzari, G.; Cottone, L.; Longo, N.; Battaglia, G.; Marcantoni, C.; Giannetto, G.; Tumino, G.; Randazzo, F.; Bellissimo, L.; Faro, F. L.; Grippaldi, F.; Urso, S.; Quattrone, G.; Todaro, I.; Vincenzo, D.; Murgo, A.; Masuzzo, M.; Pisacane, A.; Monardo, P.; Santoro, D.; Pontorierro, M.; Quari, C.; Bauro, A.; Chimenz, R. R.; Alfio, D.; Girasole, F.; Cascio, A. L.; Caviglia, A.; Tornese, F.; Sirna, F.; Altieri, C.; Cusumano, R.; Saveriano, V.; La Corte, A.; Locascio, G.; Rotolo, U.; Rome, M.; Musso, S.; Risuglia, L.; Blanco, G.; Minardo, G.; Castellino, S.; Zappulla, Z.; Randone, S.; Di Francesca, M.; Cassetti, C. C.; Oddo, G.; Buscaino, G.; Mucaria, F.; Barraco, V. I.; Di Martino, A.; Mucaria, F.; Rallo, D.; Dani, L.; Campolo, G.; Manescalchi, F.; Biagini, M.; Agate, M.; Panichi, V.; Casani, A.; Traversari, L.; Garosi, G.; Brunori, G.; Tabbi, M.; Selvi, A.; Cencioni, L.; Fagugli, R.; Timio, F.; Leveque, A.; Manes, M.; Mennella, G.; Calo, L.; Fiorini, F.; Abaterusso, C.; Calzavara, P.; Nordio, M.; Meneghel, G.; Bonesso, C.; Gambaro, G.; Gammaro, L.; Rugiu, C.; Dell'Aquila, R.; Dell'Aquila, R.; Ronco, C.; Rugiu, C

Risk factors and action thresholds for the novel coronavirus pandemic. Insights from the Italian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Survey

Background and aim: Over 80% (365/454) of the nation\u2019s centers participated in the Italian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Survey. Out of 60,441 surveyed patients, 1368 were infected as of April 23rd, 2020. However, center-specific proportions showed substantial heterogeneity. We therefore undertook new analyses to identify explanatory factors, contextual effects, and decision rules for infection containment. Methods: We investigated fixed factors and contextual effects by multilevel modeling. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis was used to develop decision rules. Results: Increased positivity among hemodialysis patients was predicted by center location [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20\u20131.51], positive healthcare workers (IRR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02\u20131.17), test-all policy (IRR 5.94, 95% CI 3.36\u201310.45), and infected proportion in the general population (IRR 1.002, 95% CI 1.001\u20131.003) (all p &lt; 0.01). Conversely, lockdown duration exerted a protective effect (IRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.94\u20130.98) (p &lt; 0.01). The province-contextual effects accounted for 10% of the total variability. Predictive factors for peritoneal dialysis and transplant cases were center location and infected proportion in the general population. Using recursive partitioning, we identified decision thresholds at general population incidence 65 229 per 100,000 and at 65 3 positive healthcare workers. Conclusions: Beyond fixed risk factors, shared with the general population, the increased and heterogeneous proportion of positive patients is related to the center\u2019s testing policy, the number of positive patients and healthcare workers, and to contextual effects at the province level. Nephrology centers may adopt simple decision rules to strengthen containment measures timely

Risk factors and action thresholds for the novel coronavirus pandemic. Insights from the Italian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Survey

Background and aim: Over 80% (365/454) of the nation’s centers participated in the Italian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Survey. Out of 60,441 surveyed patients, 1368 were infected as of April 23rd, 2020. However, center-specific proportions showed substantial heterogeneity. We therefore undertook new analyses to identify explanatory factors, contextual effects, and decision rules for infection containment. Methods: We investigated fixed factors and contextual effects by multilevel modeling. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis was used to develop decision rules. Results: Increased positivity among hemodialysis patients was predicted by center location [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–1.51], positive healthcare workers (IRR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.17), test-all policy (IRR 5.94, 95% CI 3.36–10.45), and infected proportion in the general population (IRR 1.002, 95% CI 1.001–1.003) (all p &lt; 0.01). Conversely, lockdown duration exerted a protective effect (IRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.94–0.98) (p &lt; 0.01). The province-contextual effects accounted for 10% of the total variability. Predictive factors for peritoneal dialysis and transplant cases were center location and infected proportion in the general population. Using recursive partitioning, we identified decision thresholds at general population incidence ≥ 229 per 100,000 and at ≥ 3 positive healthcare workers. Conclusions: Beyond fixed risk factors, shared with the general population, the increased and heterogeneous proportion of positive patients is related to the center’s testing policy, the number of positive patients and healthcare workers, and to contextual effects at the province level. Nephrology centers may adopt simple decision rules to strengthen containment measures timely

Risk factors and action thresholds for the novel coronavirus pandemic. Insights from the Italian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Survey

Over 80% (365/454) of the nation's centers participated in the Italian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Survey. Out of 60,441 surveyed patients, 1368 were infected as of April 23rd, 2020. However, center-specific proportions showed substantial heterogeneity. We therefore undertook new analyses to identify explanatory factors, contextual effects, and decision rules for infection containment

Mechanisms regulating skin immunity and inflammation

Immune responses in the skin are important for host defence against pathogenic microorganisms. However, dysregulated immune reactions can cause chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Extensive crosstalk between the different cellular and microbial components of the skin regulates local immune responses to ensure efficient host defence, to maintain and restore homeostasis, and to prevent chronic disease. In this Review, we discuss recent findings that highlight the complex regulatory networks that control skin immunity, and we provide new paradigms for the mechanisms that regulate skin immune responses in host defence and in chronic inflammation