One's own soundtrack: Affective music synthesis

Computer music usually sounds mechanical; hence, if musicality and music expression of virtual actors could be enhanced according to the user's mood, the quality of experience would be amplified. We present a solution that is based on improvisation using cognitive models, case based reasoning (CBR) and fuzzy values acting on close-to-affect-target musical notes as retrieved from CBR per context. It modifies music pieces according to the interpretation of the user's emotive state as computed by the emotive input acquisition componential of the CALLAS framework. The CALLAS framework incorporates the Pleasure-Arousal- Dominance (PAD) model that reflects emotive state of the user and represents the criteria for the music affectivisation process. Using combinations of positive and negative states for affective dynamics, the octants of temperament space as specified by this model are stored as base reference emotive states in the case repository, each case including a configurable mapping of affectivisation parameters. Suitable previous cases are selected and retrieved by the CBR subsystem to compute solutions for new cases, affect values from which control the music synthesis process allowing for a level of interactivity that makes way for an interesting environment to experiment and learn about expression in music

Strengthening of steel-reinforced concrete structural elements by externally bonded FRP sheets and evaluation of their load carrying capacity to face changed load service conditions

The paper has proposed a limit analysis procedure for a preliminary design of RC elements strengthened by externally bonded FRP sheets. The procedure, based on a multi-yield-criteria limit analysis approach, has led to a reliable prediction of peak loads and failure modes of the analyzed elements (slabs) by simultaneously considering the limit state of the constituent materials, so resulting very useful in many applications of engineering interest. The attention has been focused on hospital applications in which increment of service loads or realization of openings can weaken some structural elements that have been strengthened by FRP sheets

Healthcare Insights: Evaluating the Access to the Italian Healthcare System

The Italian health system is organised on a regional basis and services are provided by both public and private operators, affecting the planning of services, access to services by citizens and their health rights. The creation of an observatory monitoring the methods and times of access to healthcare services has been pursued. The preliminary phase of the project is presented, which will lead to the comparison of the data obtained from 2019, with an eye on the Covid-19 pandemic impact

Risk factors for peri-operative high-grade complications in patients with prostate cancer treated with robotic radical prostatectomy

Aim of our study was to evaluate the risk factors for high-grade complications (Clavien Classification System ≥3a) in patients treated with with robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Between 2012 and 2017, a consecutive series of patients with prostate cancer were treated with robotic radical prostatectomy (RRP). Demographic, clinical and histological characteristics of the patients were recorded. Histological specimens were graded according to the new PGG classification. Complications were classified according to the modified Clavien classification system (CCS). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk of high grade complications (CCS>3a)

Sexual and functional outcomes of prostate artery embolisation. A prospective long-term follow-up, large cohort study.

Among minimally invasive procedures for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is described as safe and effective. Aim of this study is to report our results, focusing on sexual outcomes (erectile and ejaculatory functions sparing) of PAE in patients suffering from bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to BPH

Shear wave elastography in varicocele patients. Prospective study to investigate correlation with semen parameters and histological findings

Aims: Shear wave elastosonography (SWE) is a non-invasive ultrasound imaging modality used to assess the mechanical properties of tissues such as rigidity and elasticity. In this prospective study, we investigated the effect of laparoscopic varicocelectomy on the elasticity, degree of fibrosis and function of the testes through SWE and we evaluated the correlation with semen parameters and histology findings. Methods: Male patients with monolateral left varicocele and a progressive alteration of the semen quality were enrolled prospectively. Patients were evaluated before varicocelectomy,3 and 6 months after surgery with semen analysis, ecocolordoppler US and SWE. In all patients a left testicular biopsy was performed at the time of varicocelectomy and it was repeated after 6 months in 55% of patients in order to investigate the histological findings and to correlate with SWE results. Results: The study was conducted on 82 patients. SWE showed a statistically significant difference between left and right testicles. Three months after surgery the mean left testicular volume increased, mean left SWE features decreased, and sperm count increased (p values < 0.0001). The SWE parameters, testicular volume and semen analysis values showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the pre and post-operative results (p value < 0.0001). The histological alterations were significantly changed 6 months postoperative with a complete morphology recovery in accordance with SWE results. Conclusions: SWE showed a statistically significant positive correlation with testicular volume, semen analysis, and histological findings. This study represents the first investigation that correlates the varicocele, the testis volume, the quality of the seminal fluid ant the histological findings with the ultrasound and SWE values

Sexual function after pelic organ prolapse surgery. Trocarless Transvaginal Mesh (TTMS) vs. laparoscopic transperitoneal pelvic organ prolapse suspension

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and low urinary tract symptoms related to pelvic organs prolapse represent a common condition that negatively impacts on female sexuality (FS). The repair of this anatomical/functional condition could affect female sexual function. Laparoscopic approach known as “pelvic organ prolapse surgery” (POPs) or the anterior repair with a trocar-less trans-vaginal mesh (TTMs) represent two different surgical techniques to reach functional and sexual improvements. This study aimed to compare the results of minimally invasive approach (POPs) with open trans-vaginal mesh tape repair for the correction of SUI and to evaluate the different outcomes on sexual activity and urinary symptoms

Radiogenomics in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Correlations between advanced CT imaging (texture analysis) and microRNAs expression

A relevant challenge for the improvement of clear cell renal cell carcinoma management could derive from the identification of novel molecular biomarkers that could greatly improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment choice of these neoplasms. In this study, we investigate whether quantitative parameters obtained from computed tomography texture analysis (CTTA) may correlate with the expression of selected oncogenic microRNAs (miRNA). To the best of our knowledge, a possible correlation between CT texture parameters and miRNAs expression in ccRCC was not investigated yet

T1 bladder cancer: comparison of the prognostic impact of two substaging systems on disease recurrence and progression and suggestion of a novel nomogram

Background: The T1 substaging of bladder cancer (BCa) potentially impacts disease progression. The objective of the study was to compare the prognostic accuracy of two substaging systems on the recurrence and progression of primary pathologic T1 (pT1) BCa and to test a nomogram based on pT1 substaging for predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Methods: The medical records of 204 patients affected by pT1 BCa were retrospectively reviewed. Substaging was defined according to the depth of lamina propria invasion in T1a-c and the extension of the lamina propria invasion to T1-microinvasive (T1m) or T1-extensive (T1e). Uni- and multivariable Cox regression models evaluated the independent variables correlated with recurrence and progression. The predictive accuracies of the two substaging systems were compared by Harrell's C index. Multivariate Cox regression models for the RFS and PFS were also depicted by a nomogram. Results: The 5-year RFS was 47.5% with a significant difference between T1c and T1a (p = 0.02) and between T1e and T1m (p < 0.001). The 5-year PFS was 75.9% with a significant difference between T1c and T1a (p = 0.011) and between T1e and T1m (p < 0.001). Model T1m-e showed a higher predictive power than T1a-c for predicting RFS and PFS. In the univariate and multivariate model subcategory T1e, the diameter, location, and number of tumors were confirmed as factors influencing recurrence and progression after adjusting for the other variables. The nomogram incorporating the T1m-e model showed a satisfactory agreement between model predictions at 5 years and actual observations. Conclusions: Substaging is significantly associated with RFS and PFS for patients affected by T1 BCa and should be included in innovative prognostic nomograms