Phylogenesis and the Nature of Mind

We have examined the presence of mind in phylogenetic primitive and evolved species using as criteria the objective presence of a nervous system that in man is strictly associated with mental capacities, and the likewise objective presence of sensory receptors that are strictly involved in the generation of mental images or qualia. The former criterion has indicated that mental capacities of progressively simpler nature are present in all vertebrate and invertebrate species, while the second criterion has further extended the mental domain to plants, protists and prokaryotes. Having reached the biological divide, the primitive mental capacities of prokaryotes appeared emerging from their mindless progenitors. This radical shifting was nonetheless analogous to that of systems which display different properties from their constituent subunits, as it occurs in molecules compared to their atoms. For instance, the different properties of water with regard to the constituent atoms are plainly due to the newly acquired configuration of electrons and nuclei. Accordingly, the primitive mental capacities of prokaryotes were attributed to the different ‘configuration’ acquired by the primordial mental aspects of their progenitors.When the same reasoning was applied to progressively more elementary components (atoms, nuclei, quarks) the ultimate source of mental capacities appeared to reside in the elementary particles. Since they are likely to be the first entities of the universe and the ultimate constituents of all bodies, mind should be considered the only substance of the universe. Indeed, elementary particles and quantum entities are fields of energy and information that lack the res extensa qualities that have supported its role of additional material substance

Innovations in the video game industry: changing global markets

The paper examines the video game industry in the perspective of being the paradigm of innovation in digital media and content. In particular, it analyses the response to two main factors that have impacted this industry over the last decade. First, it tracks the evolution of its global market and its emerging geography with the rise of Asia. Second, within this global landscape the paper explores how the changes derived from mobile and on-line gaming enabled major transformations of this industry. From here, some conclusions on the lessons from the evolution of this sector for the whole media and content industries are presented

The road to e-services: online and mobile games as enablers

Institute for Prospective Technological Studies Mission: - to provide customer-driven support to the EU policymaking process - by developing science based responses to policy challenges - having both socio-economic and scientific /technological dimension

Percutaneous Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices: Systems and Clinical Options

Cardiogenic shock (CS) still remains a leading cause of hospital death. The adoption of percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs) as treatment of CS is an option which continues to rise. Several types of pVADs have been developed by time to provide full cardiac support with few related complications and easy implantation settings. pVADs are used to support the failing heart as a bridge to recovery, decision, durable device or heart transplantation. None of these devices adopted in the clinical practice is ideal for all patients. Disadvantages may be related to the risk of limb/arm ischaemia or cerebral stroke or haemolysis. The most important choice is to identify the best device for each patient depending on haemodynamics, clinical scenario and patient anatomical/pathological issues. This chapter discusses the current pVAD options to treat CS patients

Physiological pregnancy in a tiger affected by endometritis and benign mesenchymal neoplasm.

In large felids, uncomplicated endometritis and benign mesenchymal uterine tumours usually represent post-mortem findings. These pathologies generally remain clinically asymptomatic, and their impact on reproductive outcome and maternal care is unknown. A 13-year-old female tiger (Panthera tigris) was evaluated by a team of veterinarians from the University of Padova for abnormal behaviour after parturition. The animal spontaneously gave birth to a healthy male cub of 1.460 kg, but after three hours of normal parental care, she showed careless about the cub, occasional abdominal contractions, excessive self-licking and restlessness. After 10 hours of continuous observation, the tiger was anaesthetised for a complete clinical evaluation. The physical examination was unremarkable, but a vaginal bloody/mucous discharge with no obstruction of the birth canal was noted. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an enlarged left uterine horn with heterogeneous echogenicity. Blood analysis showed moderate neutrophilia and leucocytosis. Differential diagnoses included placental retention, uterine inflammation/infection, neoplasia. The tiger was transferred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital where the explorative laparotomy and the ovario-hysterectomy were performed. The uterine horns appeared asymmetric and two nodular lesions of 1.5-cm-diameter were observed on the left horn. Histological assessment indicated the presence of a multifocal, subacute, moderate neutrophilic endometritis in both horns associated with diffuse, severe oedema. The nodules were consistent with a mesenchymal benign neoplasia. No relevant complication was observed in the following postoperative period and the cub was successfully hand raised. To the best of our knowledge, no report describes the birth of a healthy cub from a tiger affected by endometritis and neoplasia. Considering the normal maternal care observed in the previous twin-pregnancies in this animal, we cannot exclude that the uterine affection caused her abnormal behaviour in this case. Therefore, careful observation of the mother in the post-partum period is always strongly recommended

Oligo-antigenic diet in the treatment of chronic anal fissures. Evidence for a relationship between food hypersensitivity and anal fissures.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic constipation due to food hypersensitivity (FH) had an elevated anal sphincter resting pressure. No studies have investigated a possible role of FH in anal fissures (AFs). We aimed to evaluate (1) the effectiveness of diet in curing AFs and to evaluate (2) the clinical effects of a double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) challenge, using cow's milk protein or wheat. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-one patients with AFs were randomized to receive a "true-elimination diet" or a "sham-elimination diet" for 8 weeks; both groups also received topical nifedipine and lidocaine. Sixty patients who were cured with the "true-elimination diet" underwent DBPC challenge in which cow's milk and wheat were used. RESULTS: At the end of the study, 69% of the "true-diet group" and 45% of the "sham-diet group" showed complete healing of AFs (P<0.0002). Thirteen of the 60 patients had AF recurrence during the 2-week cow's milk DBPC challenge and 7 patients had AF recurrence on wheat challenge. At the end of the challenge, anal sphincter resting pressure significantly increased in the patients who showed AF reappearance (P<0.0001), compared with the baseline values. The patients who reacted to the challenges had a significantly higher number of eosinophils in the lamina propria and intraepithelial lymphocytes than those who did not react to the challenges. CONCLUSIONS: An oligo-antigenic diet combined with medical treatment improved the rate of chronic AF healing. In more than 20% of the patients receiving medical and dietary treatment, AFs recurred on DBPC food challenge

Pattern of care for re-irradiation in locally recurrent rectal cancer: a national survey on behalf of the AIRO gastrointestinal tumors study group

PurposeRadical resection (R0) represents the best curative treatment for local recurrence (LR) rectal cancer. Re-irradiation (re-RT) can increase the rate of R0 resection. Currently, there is a lack of guidelines on Re-RT for LR rectal cancer. The Italian Association of Radiation and clinical oncology for gastrointestinal tumors (AIRO-GI) study group released a national survey to investigate the current clinical practice of external beam radiation therapy in these patients.Material and methodsIn February 2021, the survey was designed and distributed to members of the GI working group. The questionnaire consisted of 40 questions regarding center characteristics, clinical indications, doses, and treatment techniques of re-RT for LR rectal cancer.ResultsA total of 37 questionnaires were collected. Re-RT was reported as an option for neoadjuvant treatment in resectable and unresectable disease by 55% and 75% of respondents, respectively. Long-course treatment with 30-40 Gy (1.8-2 Gy/die, 1.2 Gy bid) and hypofractionated regimen of 30-35 Gy in 5 fractions were used in most centers. A total dose of 90-100 Gy as EqD2 dose (& alpha;/& beta; = 5 Gy) was delivered by 46% of the respondents considering the previous treatment. Modern conformal techniques and daily image-guided radiation therapy protocols were used in 94% of centers.ConclusionOur survey showed that re-RT treatment is performed with advanced technology that allow a good management of LR rectal cancer. Significant variations were observed in terms of dose and fractionation, highlighting the need for a consensus on a common treatment strategy that could be validated in prospective studies

NEMO-SN1 Abyssal Cabled Observatory in the Western Ionian Sea

The NEutrinoMediterranean Observatory—Submarine Network 1 (NEMO-SN1) seafloor observatory is located in the central Mediterranean Sea, Western Ionian Sea, off Eastern Sicily (Southern Italy) at 2100-m water depth, 25 km from the harbor of the city of Catania. It is a prototype of a cabled deep-sea multiparameter observatory and the first one operating with real-time data transmission in Europe since 2005. NEMO-SN1 is also the first-established node of the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory (EMSO), one of the incoming European large-scale research infrastructures included in the Roadmap of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) since 2006. EMSO will specifically address long-term monitoring of environmental processes related to marine ecosystems, marine mammals, climate change, and geohazards