Considerations on Approaches and Metrics in Automated Theorem Generation/Finding in Geometry

The pursue of what are properties that can be identified to permit an automated reasoning program to generate and find new and interesting theorems is an interesting research goal (pun intended). The automatic discovery of new theorems is a goal in itself, and it has been addressed in specific areas, with different methods. The separation of the "weeds", uninteresting, trivial facts, from the "wheat", new and interesting facts, is much harder, but is also being addressed by different authors using different approaches. In this paper we will focus on geometry. We present and discuss different approaches for the automatic discovery of geometric theorems (and properties), and different metrics to find the interesting theorems among all those that were generated. After this description we will introduce the first result of this article: An undecidability result proving that having an algorithmic procedure that decides for every possible Turing Machine that produces theorems, whether it is able to produce also interesting theorems, is an undecidable problem. Consequently, we will argue that judging whether a theorem prover is able to produce interesting theorems remains a non deterministic task, at best a task to be addressed by program based in an algorithm guided by heuristics criteria. Therefore, as a human, to satisfy this task two things are necessary: An expert survey that sheds light on what a theorem prover/finder of interesting geometric theorems is, and-to enable this analysis- other surveys that clarify metrics and approaches related to the interestingness of geometric theorems. In the conclusion of this article we will introduce the structure of two of these surveys -the second result of this article- and we will discuss some future work.</p

Real life turnaround time of blood cultures in the clinical microbiology laboratory: results of the first Italian survey, May 2015

Background and aims: Blood culture (BC) results are essential to guide antimicrobial chemotherapy for patients with sepsis. However, BC is a time-consuming exam, which can take several days. Reducing BCs turn around time (TAT) could impact on multiple outcome parameters and TAT monitoring is an important tool for measurement of microbiology laboratory performance. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of BC TATs among Italian microbiology laboratories. Materials and methods: Five laboratories collected and recorded, for a month period, date and time of the BC processing events. Cumulative TATs were analysed using the GraphPad software. Results: Participating laboratories reported data from 302 sepsis episodes. The median time from when the BC system produced a positive signal until Gram-stain results were reported was 7.6 hours. A rapid molecular identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed in 26.5% of BCs. Mean TAT for identification report was significantly lower when a molecular approach was adopted (12 vs. 28.7 hours, P&lt;0.001). Similarly, results of the molecular AST were obtained more than 24 hours in advance compared with phenotypic AST (mean 13.2 vs. 47.6, P&lt;0.001). TATs from BC positivity of laboratories opened 7 days/week were not significantly lower than those of laboratories opened 6 days/week. Conclusions: BC is a time-consuming exam, however, molecular identification and AST methods can drastically reduce time to results. The lack of difference between TATs observed for laboratories working 7 days/week and 6 days/week, coupled with a high rate of BCs turning positive during the night enable to conclude that the most urgent measure to reduce TATs is the expansion of laboratory regular duty hours

Imported Chikungunya Infection, Italy

From July to September 2006, a total of 17 confirmed cases of CHIKV infection were observed in travelers at 5 Gruppo di Interesse e Studio delle Patologie di Importazione (GISPI) centers (Italian network of Institutes of Infectious and Tropical Diseases). Prompt reporting of imported CHIKV infections is essential for monitoring of potential risk. The possibility of introducing CHIKV into Italy cannot be ruled out on the basis of current evidence

Impact of neuropeptide substance P an inflammatory compound on arachidonic acid compound generation

There is much evidence that neuropeptide substance P is involved in neurogenic inflammation and is an important neurotransmitter and neurmodulator compound. In addition, substance P plays an important role in inflammation and immunity. Macrophages can be activated by substance P which provokes the release of inflammatory compounds such as interleukins, chemokines and growth factors. Substance P is involved in the mechanism of pain through the trigeminal nerve which runs through the head, temporal and sinus cavity. Substance P also activates mast cells to release inflammatory mediators such as arachindonic acid compound, cytokines/chemokines and histamine. The release of these chemical mediators is crucial for inflammatory response. Among these mediators there are prostoglandins and leukotrines. Here we review the impact of substance P on inflammatory compounds

Indagine nazionale sulle metodiche per emocoltura in Italia

Sepsis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality; Blood cultures are the standard for identifying the responsible pathogen, bacteria or fungi.A number of factors influence the yield of blood culture, most of them concerning the microbiolist skill and the laboratory organization. In order to collect information about the practices and procedures used for the detection of microrganisms in blood cultures in the italian laboratory, a questionnaire was sent to all the 2000 members of the Italian Association of Clinical Microbiology. Responses were received from 110 laboratories, located from all over the country (2.028.581 hospital admission).The results presented hereby concern specimen collection, culture techniques, rapid identification and susceptibility testing. In summary, most laboratories use automated systems (83.6%), the lenght of incubation was 7 days in two out of three laboratories, although it is common to extend the incubation period when brucellosis (83 lab), endocarditis (47 lab), systemic mycosis (27 lab) is suspected.A wide variety of media are employed for subcultures. All laboratories examine the bottles at least once a day, while only 32 of 95 (33.7%) laboratories processe the positive blood cultures on holiday. Communication between clinicians and microbiologist include: distribution of specimen collection guidelines by 93 (84.5%) laboratories, availability of patients’ clinical situation in 35 (32.4%) laboratories, and adding to report the suggestion of potentialy contaminated culture (i.e.“a positive results does not necessarly indicate bacteremias”) in 31 (28.4%). Only laboratories perform direct, tests 18.6% antimicrobial susceptibility test, and 9.3% perform rapid direct identification

Flocked swabs combined with platforms to inoculate and streak specimens: a pre-analytical workstation for microbiology automation

Introduction. The bacteriology processes almost all the clinical specimens through manually performed cultures and therefore needs to evolve toward automated systems.We report our experience on the benefits of combination between liquid-based flocked swab transport systems (Copan Innovation) and platforms of plating and automatic streaking of agar plates.The main innovation is that, for the first time, the automation can be performed not only for urine and other few liquids materials, but also to most of other biological samples. Methods. Our considerations are based on more than one year of experience on the instrument InocuLAB® (Dynacon Inc.) in two Italian Hospitals, supplemented by theoretical knowledge of other marketed in Italy instruments.The three instruments currently available in Italy (A: InocuLAB® Copan, B:WASP® Copan and C: Previ-Isola bioMérieux®) can inoculate and streak liquid or eluated specimens from liquidbased flocked swab transport systems on any agar plate.The main differences are: streaking of already deposited material on plate (only A and B); choice among various protocols of streak and inoculate (only A and B); automatic opening and recapping of the specimen containers (only A and B); automatic choice of the plates (B: 9 columns and C: 5 columns); partition of the streaked plates in groups (B: up to 4 group s and C: up to 3); forced use of disposables devices (only instrument C). No instrument present problems of carryover and the quality of plated specimens is excellent. Conclusions. Although significantly different, all the platforms combined with flocked swabs represent a pre-analytical workstation for microbiology automation (inoculating, streaking, and bar-coding of liquid specimens). The main advantages can be seen in the operator’s production time, in safety and in quality of streak.The almost complete elution of the biological sample in liquid-based flocked swab transport systems is a standard base which allows to perform many diagnostic tests, including quantitative streaking for quantitative evaluation and multiple culture for additional investigation

Survey of blood cultures methods in Italy in 2010

Sepsis is a serious clinical condition, associated with high mortality despite advanced modern medical treatment. Traditionally, the detection and identification of bacteria and fungi circulating in the blood-stream is based on blood cultures. A number of factors influence the yield of blood culture, most of them concerning the microbiologist skill and the laboratory organization. In order to collect information about the practices and procedures used for the detection of microrganisms in blood cultures in the italian laboratory (lab), an e-mail with the invitation to participate in the survey was sent to 2000 members of the Italian Association of Clinical Microbiology. Responses were received from 100 lab, located from all over the country (in 18/20 italian regions). The results presented hereby concern specimen collection, culture techniques, rapid identification and susceptibility testing, laboratory organization, relationships with physicians. In summary, most lab use automated systems (96%), the bottles are incubated immediately during public holidays in 72/96 lab (75%) and in 49/97 lab at night (50.5%), the lenght of incubation was 5 or 7 days in 93% of the lab, although it is common to extend the incubation period when brucellosis (74 lab), endocarditis (49 lab), systemic mycosis (33 lab) is suspected. A wide variety of media are employed for subcultures. All lab process the positive bottles at least once a day, while only in 42 of 81 (51.9%) lab the positive blood are processed on holiday. Communication between clinicians and microbiologist include: distribution of specimen collection guidelines (96/100 lab), availability to microbiologist of patients’ clinical situation (77/96 lab, 80.2%), and adding to report the microbiologist’ suggestion (75/98 lab, 76.5%). The results, compared with those collected with a similar questionnaire in 2001, show a greater adherence to guidelines: the number of bottles examined by lab yearly is almost doubled, the length of incubation is shortened to 5 days in 42% (vs 9.2% in 2001), direct susceptibility tests seem to be performed more frequently (in 29% of lab vs18.6% in 2001, mostly in larger hospitals), more lab process positive bottles on Sunday, cooperation with clinicians is improved

Reinterpreting a community outbreak of <it>Salmonella enterica </it>serotype Enteritidis in the light of molecular typing

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In November 2005, a large outbreak due to <it>Salmonella enterica </it>serotype Enteritidis (<it>S</it>. Enteritidis) was observed within children who had eaten their meals at 53 school cafeterias in Florence and the surrounding area. A total of 154 isolates of <it>S</it>. Enteritidis were recovered from human cases between November 2005 and January 2006. All strains were assigned phage type 8 (PT8) and a common <it>Xba</it>I pulsotype.</p> <p>This paper reports the findings of a molecular epidemiological investigation performed on 124 strains of <it>S</it>. Enteritidis isolated in the years 2005 and 2006 in Florence and the surrounding area, including the epidemic isolates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred twenty-four human isolates of <it>S</it>. Enteritidis identified in the period January 2005 – December 2006 were submitted to molecular typing by single enzyme – amplified fragment length polymorphism (SE-AFLP).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Molecular subtyping by SE-AFLP yielded five different profiles. In the pre-epidemic phase, type A included 78.4% of isolates, whereas only three (8.1%) belonged to type C. All isolates, but one, of the epidemic phase were indistinguishable and attributed to type C. In the post-epidemic period, a polymorphic pattern of SE-AFLP types was again recognized but type C accounted for 73.3% of the isolates during the first six months of 2006, whereas during the remaining six months type A regained the first place, including 52.0% of the isolates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The epidemic event was attributed to the emergence and clonal expansion of a strain of <it>S</it>. Enteritidis PT8-SE-AFLP type C. Circulation of the epidemic clone was much more extensive than the surveillance and traditional laboratory data demonstrated.</p