Sistema di filologia computazionale per testi demotici

A project for a Demotic Inscriptions on Ostraka Database is being carried out in collaboration between ILC/CNR (Pisa), the Department of Electronic Engineering (Calabria University) and the Department of the Ancient World History (Egyptological section, Pisa University). The aim of the project is to analyse the digital colour images of demotic texts on ostraka (Medinet Madi, in Fayyum region) with the aid of computational tools. The module described in the paper is a neural component able to learn the graphical features of each demotic symbol, which has been previously segmented in the images thanks to a semiautomatic procedure. A specific neural network tries to recognize the text written in the images linking the symbols segmented within the ostraka images database to the correspondent symbols available on a virtual keyboard. The graphical interface is particularly useful for teaching and research activities on this type of archaeological documentation

Criterion for the performance analysis of synchronous and asynchronous sampling instruments based on nonlinear processing

The authors propose a criterion for the comparison of different sampling strategies (synchronous, asynchronous and random) and filtering algorithms used in digital instruments which provide the estimate of the time average of a signal processed with a nonlinear conversion of multiple inputs (e.g. wattmeters, RMS voltmeters, . . .). This criterion uses the Bayesian approach to incorporate, for every sampling strategy, any prior information on the influences of each incidental quantity which can vary the output of the instrument, transforming this output into a statistic. The asymptotic mean-squared error of the measurements has been assumed as an estimator of the error and its general expression, valid for the most common sampling strategies used in practice, has been deduced. This asymptotic error is a function of the frequency response of the digital filter used and, eventually, of the characteristic function of the probability distribution selected for the random variables generating the sampling instants. The particular formulae for different sampling strategies and filtering algorithms are discussed and compare

Clinicians' attitudes to depression in Europe: a pooled analysis of Depression Attitude Questionnaire findings

Background: Depression in primary care is common but under-recognized and suboptimally managed. Health professionals’ attitudes are likely to play an important part in their recognition and management of depression. Objectives: To pool findings from studies using the Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) to provide greater detail of clinicians’ attitudes and the measure’s psychometric properties. Methods: Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for relevant studies. Data from eligible studies were requested and pooled analysis conducted. Results: Twenty studies were eligible and data were obtained from 12 of these involving GPs (n = 1543) and nurses (n = 984). Responses showed strong disagreement that depression is due to ageing or weakness. European GPs were more positive about depression treatments than UK GPs; nurses were more favourable about psychotherapy than GPs. UK GPs especially strongly opposed notions that depression is best managed by psychiatrists. Trends over time indicated increasing acknowledgement of psychological therapies and the nurse’s role in depression management. Factor analysis indicated that many DAQ items fitted weakly within an overall model. The most parsimonious solution involved two factors: a positive view of depression and its treatment response and professional confidence in depression management. Conclusions: Individual DAQ items appear to measure key aspects of clinicians’ attitudes to depression, and item responses indicate important differences between professions and geographical settings as well as changes over time. There are problems with the DAQ as a scale: its internal consistency is weak, and several items appear specific to particular professions or service structures, indicating that this questionnaire should be revised

Recursive random-sampling strategy for a digital wattmeter

A recursive random-sampling strategy is proposed for the implementation of a digital broadband wattmeter. In this strategy each sampling instant is obtained by adding to the preceding one a predetermined constant lag plus a random increment. In order to correlate the measurement uncertainty to the bandwidth, the asymptotic mean-square error arising from the sampling strategy and the filtering algorithm is evaluated and analyzed; it has been shown that the proposed sampling strategy does not limit the bandwidth of the instrument if an appropriate statistical distribution of the random increments is selected. The theoretical results are compared with those obtained by simulating the measurement proces

Cats and dogs: Best friends or deadly enemies? What the owners of cats and dogs living in the same household think about their relationship with people and other pets

Although popular culture describes them as mortal enemies, more and more often, dogs and cats live under the same roof. Does this make them best friends? Can sharing the same social and physical environment make them similar? This study compares the approaches of dogs and cats living in the same household have towards humans and other pets as perceived by the owner. Questionnaires collected from 1270 people owning both dog(s) and cat(s) were analysed. Most dogs and cats living together are playful with familiar humans (76.2%) but dogs have a more sociable approach towards strangers and conspecifics than cats (P<0.001). Moreover, the percentage of dogs that have a playful relationship with the owner (84.0%) was higher than cats (49.2%; P<0.001). Dogs and cats living together eat in different places and show different mutual interactions: more dogs lick the cat (42.8%) and more cats ignore the dog (41.8%) than vice versa (P<0.001). However, most dogs and cats sleep at least occasionally (68.5%) and play together (62.4%; P<0.001). Although some body postures, such as the tail’s position, are interpreted differently by the two species, the greater proportions of dogs and cats show a relaxed response to several kinds of approaches of their roommate. Our questionnaire confirms the common beliefs about the sociability of the dog and the privacy of the cat, but this does not result in continuous internal struggles. Most cohabitations are peaceful. Moreover, it is true that they speak different languages, but they seem to understand each other well and interpret each other’s approaches in the right way. Thus, aspiring owners should not blindly believe popular assumptions, but both knowledge and respect for species-specific pet behaviours are essential to establish a balance in the household

Models of collaboration between general practice and mental health services in Italy.

Background and objectives: Anxiety and Depressive disorders represent an important public health problem, which involves not only the mental health services, but the General Practice as well. This paper examines models of Collaboration between General Practice and Community Mental Health Services developed in Italy. Methods: Different Consultation -Liaison activities are presented. For every Collaboration model advantages and disadvantage are discussed. Results: The structured Consultation Liaison Service is based on supplying diagnostic consultation and therapeutic interventions in support of General Practitioners (GPs). The service could be based in either a Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC) or externally. Diagnostic evaluation can be followed by brief and focal therapeutic interventions, in support of the GP's therapeutic plan. The spontaneous collaboration in small centres are frequent in rural areas where the contained dimensions of the services and the direct acquaintance between psychiatrists and GPs encourage the personalization of the collaboration. The model of Liaison and Group-Training focuses on direct contact between consultant and GPs. In the course of regular meetings, the consultant gives the GPs supervision and education, and they can discuss the therapeutic plans for patients requiring specialist intervention. Conclusion: The empiric classification presented should be considered an attempt to represent a complex reality. Every service, in fact, carries out activities that are necessarily wider than abstract typologies and that overlap with other models' activities

Screening for Bipolar Disorder Symptoms in Depressed Primary Care Attenders: Comparison between Mood Disorder Questionnaire and Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32)

Objective. To describe the prevalence of patients who screen positive for bipolar disorder (BD) symptoms in primary care comparing two screening instruments: Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ) and Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32). Participants. Adult patients presenting to their primary care practitioners for any cause and reporting current depression symptoms or a depressive episode in the last 6 months. Methods. Subjects completed MDQ and HCL-32, and clinical diagnosis was assessed by a psychiatrist following DSM-IV criteria. Depressive symptoms were evaluated in a subgroup with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results. A total of 94 patients were approached to participate and 93 completed the survey. Among these, 8.9% screened positive with MDQ and 43.0% with HCL-32. MDQ positive had more likely features associated with BD: panic disorder and smoking habit (P < .05). The best test accuracy was performed by cut-off 5 for MDQ (sensitivity = .91; specificity = .67) and 15 for HCL-32 (sensitivity = .64; specificity = .57). Higher total score of PHQ-9 was related to higher total scores at the screening tests (P < .001). Conclusion. There is a significant prevalence of bipolar symptoms in primary care depressed patients. MDQ seems to have better accuracy and feasibility than HCL-32, features that fit well in the busy setting of primary care

Crossbreeding to improve local chicken breeds: predicting growth performance of the crosses using the Gompertz model and estimated heterosis

The present study aims to validate the Gompertz model to predict the growth performance of chicken crosses according to growth curve parameters of the parental lines and the estimated heterosis for each curve parameter. A total of 252 one-day-old chicks of both sexes belonging to 6 genotypes, including Ross 308, Sasso (SA), Bionda Piemontese (BP), and Robusta Maculata (RM), and the crosses between these local breeds and SA (BP x SA and RM x SA) were randomly allocated in 18 pens (3 pens/genotype) in mixed-sex groups (14 animals/pen; 7 females and 7 males). The individual body weight (BW) of all birds was recorded once a week from hatching until slaughtering (81 d for Ross 308; 112 d for SA, 140 d for the other genotypes). We drew up our final dataset with 240 birds (40 birds/ genotype; 20 females and 20 males). The growth curve of each genotype was described using the Gompertz model, and the heterosis for each growth curve parameter was calculated as the difference between F-1 crosses and the average of parental breeds. The predicted growth curve parameters were evaluated by cross-validation. The Gompertz model accurately estimated the growth curves of all the genotypes (R-2 > 0.90). Heterosis was significant for almost all growth curve parameters in both crosses (P < 0.05). Heterosis ranged from -13.0 to +11.5%, depending on parameters, but varied slightly between the crossbreeds (BP x SA and RM x SA). The predicted values of adult BW, weight at the inflection point, and maximum growth rate were overestimated for BP x SA and under-estimated for RM x SA, with a mean error between observed and predicted values <12.71% for all the curve parameters. In conclusion, the growth performance of chicken crosses between local breeds and commercial strains can be accurately predicted with Gompertz parameters of the parental lines adjusting for heterosis

Carcass Lesion Severity and Pre-Slaughter Conditions in Heavy Pigs: A Prospective Study at a Commercial Abattoir in Northern Italy

Pre-slaughter conditions and their effects on carcass quality have been largely addressed for pigs of 90–100 kg live weight, while few studies consider the effects of pre-slaughter conditions on the quality of the carcasses obtained from heavy pigs intended for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) production. A total of 1680 heavy pigs were transported in 72 batches from a farm to a commercial abattoir on 16 different days, avoiding mixing unfamiliar animals. Slaughterhouse conditions, animal behaviors, and human–animal interactions were annotated at unloading and during the race toward the stunning cage. Carcass lesions on the rear, middle, and shoulder parts of the carcasses were scored. The prevalence of carcasses with severe lesions was 6.92%, 11.87%, and 6.83%, for the rear, middle, and shoulder parts, respectively. Among the pre-slaughter events, waiting before unloading and improper handling practices at the abattoir were the major factors affecting carcass lesion severity. Lairage pen space allowance was also found to affect severe rear and shoulder lesions, and the batches that were transported in the trailer had an increased prevalence of severe shoulder lesions. Our results suggest waiting time before unloading should be shortened as much as possible, and educational programs to train operators for more careful management of animals in the abattoir are greatly required to avoid improper animal handling practices