A hierarchical system for a distributed representation of the peripersonal space of a humanoid robot

Reaching a target object in an unknown and unstructured environment is easily performed by human beings. However, designing a humanoid robot that executes the same task requires the implementation of complex abilities, such as identifying the target in the visual field, estimating its spatial location, and precisely driving the motors of the arm to reach it. While research usually tackles the development of such abilities singularly, in this work we integrate a number of computational models into a unified framework, and demonstrate in a humanoid torso the feasibility of an integrated working representation of its peripersonal space. To achieve this goal, we propose a cognitive architecture that connects several models inspired by neural circuits of the visual, frontal and posterior parietal cortices of the brain. The outcome of the integration process is a system that allows the robot to create its internal model and its representation of the surrounding space by interacting with the environment directly, through a mutual adaptation of perception and action. The robot is eventually capable of executing a set of tasks, such as recognizing, gazing and reaching target objects, which can work separately or cooperate for supporting more structured and effective behaviors

Financialization and Deindustrialization in the Southern European Periphery

Historically, Southern European countries have shared a \u2018semi-peripheral\u2019 model of capitalism which has been characterized by fundamental fragilities in the production system. The financialization induced by the EMU has rendered these economies more fragile and unstable. Liberalization and market reform policies have taken southern economies onto the path of a credit-based and passively-extroverted financialized economy that trap them into a low-cost-of-wages search of competitiveness. However, the lack of autonomy in macroeconomic policies has weakened Southern opportunity to react to the financial crisis. The \u2018internal devaluation\u2019 policies that followed have caused a deep and thorough process of de-industrialization. This has sped-up the centralization of the European economy that has its centre in a narrow space within Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and Frankfurt

Chemosensitivity in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) to Food-Related Compounds: An Innovative Behavioral Bioassay

Like other animals, echinoderms rely on chemical senses to detect and localize food resources. Here, we evaluate the chemical sensitivity of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus to a number of stimuli possibly related to food, such as a few sugars, compared to the blue-green algae Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). To do this we developed a simple, innovative method based on the recording of “urchinograms” estimating the movements of spines, pedicellariae, tube feet, and eventually of the whole sea urchin, in response to chemicals, while keeping both the whole animal and the stimulus in their natural environment, underwater. Our results show that Spirulina is a highly stimulating compound for the sea urchin, by acting in a dose-dependent manner. The animals resulted also sensitive, even if to a lesser extent, to some sugars, such as the monosaccharide glucose, but not to its isomer fructose, while among disaccharides, they sensed cellobiose, but not sucrose or trehalose. From an applied point of view, any insight into the chemical sensitivity of sea urchins toward potential food-related compounds may lead to the discovery of key chemicals that would help improve the efficiency and reduce the costs of dietary substrates for optimization of intensive rearing strategies. Although this method has been developed for P. lividus, it will be suitable to evaluate the chemical sensitivity of other echinoderms and other marine invertebrates characterized by low mobility

Clinical activity of regorafenib in elderly patients with recurrent glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most frequent and aggressive primary tumors in the central nervous system, representing >60% of all brain tumors in adults. Despite treatment, prognosis remains poor with most if not all patients experiencing disease recurrence and a 2-year survival rate of 27%. At present, no confirmed standard treatment exists for recurrent glioblastoma. Regorafenib is one of the few options available, based on results from the REGOMA trial. In the present study, a real-life retrospective investigation on the role of regorafenib in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (>60 years old) from two main Oncological Units in South Italy (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy and Ospedale Civile San Giovanni di Dio, Frattamaggiore, Naples, Italy), was performed. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), whereas progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate and disease control were secondary endpoints. Survival was then analyzed according to age, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and methylated methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) status. A total of 56 patients met the eligibility criteria. The intention to treat population median PFS (mPFS) was 4.1 months and median OS (mOS) was 6.8 months. Age did not appear to have a significant influence on mPFS. mOS in MGMT-methylated patients was improved compared with that of the unmethylated group (7.7 months vs. 5.6 months). Both mOS and mPFS were longer in IDH-mutant patients. The present study was one of the first real life analyses of regorafenib in recurrent glioblastoma. The results were in line with the REGOMA trial. Age did not appear to be a prognostic factor, thus suggesting that treatment choice should not be different in elderly. MGMT methylation appeared to influence OS. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report of regorafenib activity in older patients and, while the results were statistically significant, these should be confirmed in further studies

Prevalence and risk factors associated with cat parasites in Italy: a multicenter study

Background: Parasites that infect cats include protozoa, helminths and arthropods, many of which are transmissible to humans. Effective control relies on a good knowledge of parasite distribution and the risk factors for infection. The present study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of major feline parasites in Italy and the risk factors associated with their occurrence. Methods: Over a 12-month study period, feces, hair and ectoparasites from naturally infected cats from feral colonies, shelters and private households were analyzed at 13 study centers across Italy. Samples from these cats (n = 987) were analyzed at all centers using the same diagnostic methods. Prevalence values and risk factors were evaluated statistically for the identification of predictors of risk. Results: The overall prevalence of gastro-intestinal and broncho-pulmonary (BP) nematodes was 35.9% (354/987). Toxocara cati was the most prevalent species (253/987; 25.6%), followed by Ancylostomatidae (98/987; 9.9%). Among BP nematodes, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was the most common (76/987; 7.7%). Approximately 35.7% (352/987) of the study population was infested by ectoparasites, of which the most common were fleas (29.4%, 290/987), followed by ear mites Otodectes cynotis (9.8%, 97/987). Predictors of risk for parasite infection included age, a predominantly or exclusively outdoor lifestyle, geographic area and lack of antiparasitic treatment. Conclusions: Both ecto- and endoparasites are still common in cats throughout Italy, many of them being of zoonotic concern and vectors of pathogens to humans. Given the presence of parasites throughout the entire study period, year-round treatment should be considered. Furthermore, data confirm the need to protect the human–animal bond using proper endo- and ectoparasiticides to reduce the risk of human infection, in application of the One-Health concept

Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Report of one case

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are lesions whose diagnosis and treatment have varied in the last decade. We report a 76 year-old male with a history of eight episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. A duodenography showed an elevated lesion in the third portion of the duodenum with a central ulceration. It was initially managed with tumorectomy and primary closure of the duodenum. The pathological study of the surgical specimen revealed a low grade gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Three years later, the tumor recurred and pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Due to the high risk of malignant potential, tumor size, number of mitoses and the presence of necrosis, imatinib mesylate was started. The patient had a satisfactory evolution, without evidences of recurrence after 15 months of follow up

Poprawa jakości życia i aktywności chorych na migrenę po leczeniu profilaktycznym. Wieloośrodkowe, długotrwałe badanie prospektywne

Głównym celem w leczeniu migreny jest poprawa jakości życia warunkowanej stanem zdrowia (HRQOL, health-related quality of life) i zmniejszenie ograniczeń aktywności. Brakuje jednak danych dotyczących wpływu leczenia profilaktycznego na wymienione parametry. U 141 kolejno zgłaszających się pacjentów z migreną bez aury, u których stosowano leczenie profilaktyczne, autorzy monitorowali zmiany HRQOL przy użyciu kwestionariusza Short Form 36 (SF-36) i ograniczenie aktywności związane z bólami głowy za pomocą kwestionariusza Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS). Trwające 3 miesiące badanie ukończyło łącznie 102 pacjentów. Średnia (SD, standard deviation) liczba dni z bólami głowy w ciągu miesiąca zmniejszyła się z 8,0 (3,7) do 5,0 (2,3) (p < 0,001). Średnie miesięczne stosowanie leków doraźnych zmalało z 7,4 (3,5) do 4,4 (3,1) (p < 0,001). Całkowity wynik w skali MIDAS zmniejszył się znacząco (poprawa). Wszystkie wyniki uzyskane z użyciem skal SF-36 wzrosły (poprawa), przy czym większość z nich w sposób znaczący. Jest to pierwsze badanie, w którym prospektywnie oceniono wpływ leczenia profilaktycznego na HRQOL i aktywność codzienną w dużej serii grupie chorych. Wskazuje ono, że leczenie profilaktyczne może zmniejszyć indywidualne i społeczne obciążenia związane z migreną

Stem cells for treatment of cardiovascular diseases: an umbrella review of randomized controlled trials

AIMS: Stem cells are a promising therapy for various medical conditions. The literature regarding their adoption for the clinical care of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is still conflicting. Therefore, our aim is to assess the strength and credibility of the evidence on clinical outcomes and application of stem cells derived from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of intervention studies in CVD. METHODS and RESULTS: Umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using placebo/no intervention as control group. For meta-analyses of RCTs, outcomes with a random-effect p-value< 0.05, the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) assessment was used, classifying the evidence from very low to high. From 184 abstracts initially identified, 11 meta-analyses (for a total of 34 outcomes) were included. Half of the outcomes were statistically significant (p < 0.05), indicating that stem cells are more useful than placebo. High certainty of evidence supports the associations of the use of stem cells with a better left ventricular end systolic volume and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in acute myocardial infarction; improved exercise time in refractory angina; a significant lower risk of amputation rate in critical limb ischemia; a higher successful rate in complete healing in case of lower extremities ulcer; and better values of LVEF in systolic heart failure, as compared to placebo. CONCLUSION and RELEVANCE: The adoption of stem cells in clinical practice is supported by a high certainty of strength in different CVD, with the highest strength in acute myocardial infarction and refractory angina