Automatic Sampling of Geographic objects

Today, one's disposes of large datasets composed of thousands of geographic objects. However, for many processes, which require the appraisal of an expert or much computational time, only a small part of these objects can be taken into account. In this context, robust sampling methods become necessary. In this paper, we propose a sampling method based on clustering techniques. Our method consists in dividing the objects in clusters, then in selecting in each cluster, the most representative objects. A case-study in the context of a process dedicated to knowledge revision for geographic data generalisation is presented. This case-study shows that our method allows to select relevant samples of objects

Brevi note sul principio di non contestazione nel processo amministrativo

Nella trattazione si prende in esame il principio di non contestazione. Ci si sofferma, innanzitutto, sull'elaborazione giurisprudenziale del principio antecedente e successiva alla sua codificazione ad opera dell'art. 64, comma 2, c.p.a.. Si analizzano, inoltre, le diverse posizioni espresse in argomento dalla dottrina, in particolare quelle pi\uf9 recenti. e si tenta di definire i connotati ontologici e funzionali, tuttora incerti, del principio tenendo conto delle attuali caratteristiche del processo amministrativo. Si individuano, infine, i presupposti e le condizioni per l'applicazione dell'istituto e si sottolineano i profili problematici non ancora risolti

Les futurs possibles du dopage representés [sic] à l'aide de la cartographie de l'information

Le but de ce travail est de comprendre quels seront les futurs possibles du dopage en utilisant la cartographie de l’information. Le travail comporte une recherche et une analyse de 150 articles de presse traitant de la pratique du dopage. Les informations répertoriées sur Internet seront représentées à l’aide de la cartographie de l’information. La visualisation sous forme de cartes permettra d’illustrer les principales tendances concernant le phénomène du dopage. Les quatre cartographies ont été élaborées par Monsieur Fonta sur la base de mes données. Ces cartes m’ont permis de faire ressortir les principales dynamiques du dopage et de déceler trois futurs scénarios envisageables. Sur la base de ces derniers, j’ai choisi celui qui me paraissait être le plus souhaitable pour les athlètes, leur entourage et la société. En conclusion, j’ai proposé des recommandations afin de faciliter la réalisation du scénario le plus favorable à la pérennité du sport

Step-by-step iconographic description of a prolonged but still favourable course of orbital cellulitis in a child with acute rhinosinusitis: an iconographic case study

Orbital cellulitis is an infrequent complication of acute ethmoiditis possibly leading to life- or visual-threatening complications. Despite its natural history is well known, its clinical evolution may widely vary among patients, and even in the most favourable cases long-term sequelae may persist. We here provide a step-by-step iconographic description of a periorbital and orbital cellulitis occurring in a child with ipsilateral acute rhinosinusitis. Our report shows that an unusual long-term evolution of periorbital and orbital cellulitis is possible also in apparently favourable cases

Normative EMG activation patterns of school-age children during gait

Gait analysis is widely used in clinics to study walking abnormalities for surgery planning, definition of rehabilitation protocols, and objective evaluation of clinical outcomes. Surface electromyography allows the study of muscle activity non-invasively and the evaluation of the timing of muscle activation during movement. The aim of this study was to present a normative dataset of muscle activation patterns obtained from a large number of strides in a population of 100 healthy children aged 6-11 years. The activity of Tibialis Anterior, Lateral head of Gastrocnemius, Vastus Medialis, Rectus Femoris and Lateral Hamstrings on both lower limbs was analyzed during a 2.5-min walk at free speed. More than 120 consecutive strides were analyzed for each child, resulting in approximately 28,000 strides. Onset and offset instants were reported for each observed muscle. The analysis of a high number of strides for each participant allowed us to obtain the most recurrent patterns of activation during gait, demonstrating that a subject uses a specific muscle with different activation modalities even in the same walk. The knowledge of the various activation patterns and of their statistics will be of help in clinical gait analysis and will serve as reference in the design of future gait studie

Expanding Third Graders’ Vocabulary Using a Data Base, Individual Thesauri and Brainstorming Strategies.

This practicum aimed to expand written vocabulary for third graders through training in using a data base and brainstorming strategies. Individual thesauri were written and published to demonstrate the results of collecting vocabulary and applying it to specific topics. Daily process writing which gave the third graders time, ownership and response became an integral part of the curriculum. Class time became an on-going procedure consisting of reading, writing, editing. Author\u27s chair and rewriting. Brainstorming and computer bank word collecting were developed and linked to all aspects of written expression. Mini lessons in publishing and the use of a thesaurus were demonstrated. As a result, published versions of individual thesaurus were written and illustrated by all members of the class. Outcomes of this practicum were very positive. All five objectives were reached successfully. In some areas results even surpassed predictions. Many unexpected gains with potential long term effects were noted and the data from the anecdotal journals kept by the facilitator and this writer indicates possibilities for school/district attention. The data from this practicum strongly indicates the following: (a) brainstorming techniques held children organize for writing and can be easily taught, (b) children can use data base for orderly collection of vocabulary, (c) children can write and publish their growing vocabulary studies in an interesting manner, (d) using process writing with the three previously mentioned techniques encouraged all the children to expend confidence in their ability to write and (e) writing became fun when it was supported in an orderly manner where children succeeded

Why, when and how to investigate primary ciliary dyskinesia in adult patients with bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis represents the final pathway of several infectious, genetic, immunologic or allergic disorders. Accurate and prompt identification of the underlying cause is a key recommendation of several international guidelines, in order to tailor treatment appropriately. Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic cause of bronchiectasis in which failure of motile cilia leads to poor mucociliary clearance. Due to poor ciliary function in other organs, individuals can suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis, otitis media and infertility. This paper explores the current literature describing why, when and how to investigate PCD in adult patients with bronchiectasis. We describe the main PCD diagnostic tests and compare the two international PCD diagnostic guidelines. The expensive multi-test diagnostic approach requiring a high level of expertise and specialist equipment, make the multifaceted PCD diagnostic pathway complex. Therefore, the risk of late or missed diagnosis is high and has clinical and research implications. Defining the number of patients with bronchiectasis due to PCD is complex. To date, few studies outlining the aetiology of adult patients with bronchiectasis conduct screening tests for PCD, but they do differ in their diagnostic approach. Comparison of these studies reveals an estimated PCD prevalence of 1-13% in adults with bronchiectasis and describe patients as younger than their counterparts with moderate impairment of lung function and higher rates of chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Diagnosing PCD has clinical, socioeconomic and psychological implications, which affect patients' life, including the possibility to have a specific and multidisciplinary team approach in a PCD referral centre, as well as a genetic and fertility counselling and special legal aspects in some countries. To date no specific treatments for PCD have been approved, standardized diagnostic protocols for PCD and recent diagnostic guidelines will be helpful to accurately define a population on which planning RCT studies to evaluate efficacy, safety and accuracy of PCD specific treatments