Algebraic Hyperstructures and Fuzzy Logic in the Treatment of Uncertainty

This study presents some fundamental aspects of recent theories  on algebraic Hyperstructures, an important tool for an interdisciplinary vision of Geometry and Algebra. We examine some hypergroupoids of events, useful for a new algebraic-geometry perspective in the study and issues of probability applications. This paper considers some fundamental aspects of fuzzy classifications and their applications to problems of evaluation and decision in Architecture and Economics. Finally, we present hypergroups and join space associated with these classifications. Iperstrutture algebriche e logica fuzzy nel trattamento dell’incertezzaSi presentano alcuni aspetti fondamentali della relativamente recente teoria delle iperstrutture algebriche, importante strumento per una visione interdisciplinare di Geometria e Algebra. Si esaminano alcuni ipergruppoidi di eventi, utili per un nuovo punto di vista algebrico - geometrico nello studio e nelle applicazioni di alcune questioni di probabilità. Si considerano alcuni aspetti fondamentali delle classificazioni fuzzy e le loro applicazioni a problemi di valutazione e decisione in Architettura e in Economia. Si presentano infine ipergruppi e join space associati a tali classificazioni.Parole Chiave: Iperstrutture algebriche. Logica fuzzy. Applicazioni a Architettura e Economia

Nature as a preferential habitat in growth and socialisation processes in autism. A structured intervention

Dysfunctionality in socialisation is undoubtedly the most crucial characteristic of autism. For a long time, social functioning and its improvement have been considered among the most important interventions in the literature. Individuals with autism are responsive to therapist-mediated and/or peer-mediated interventions that increase their social engagement. The present study examines the impact of outdoor integrated activities, such as music therapy, equine-assisted therapy, and art therapy, in autistic individuals (n=14). The analysis was carried out on the application of a questionnaire assessing three social skill domains: Joint Attention (JA), Imitation (IMI), and Turn-Taking (T-T) mediated by the therapists and by peers. The development and acquisition of these social behaviours were examined in a structured outdoor context (ASO). Data were collected by two independent observers by White's Scale questionnaire. The results revealed that the proposed interventions facilitated and led to an increase in social-behavioural experience

Quality of Life: Effects of Physical Activity in an Anthropometric, Cognitive and Psychosocial Background, and Variation of Odontoiatric Parameters

The "Quality of Life" project arises from the need to observe and define the existing interconnection between a "healthy" lifestyle and the quality of life perceived by people. Starting from the W.H.O. (World Health Organization) definitions of quality of life and health, and analyzing the studies that describe the benefits of both movement physical and mental, a protocol three months has been set for the pursuit of a diet and personalized training. For this purpose, 20 healthy subjects from the 1st year of the Physiotherapy degree, who had never practiced sports at an agonistic level, have been recruited. All individuals were subject to initial evaluations to define psycho-physical wellbeing, then they have been divided into two groups: the first group, defined as experimental, followed the protocol for the duration of the study, while the second, was only subject to evaluation. At the end of the three months period, the subjects of both groups were evaluated twice, the first immediately after the last training session, the second was evaluated one month from the latter. The final evaluation aimed at verifying a possible conservative effect on modification of experimental group parameters, even when physical activity and nutrition were not supervised by us. The ultimate goal of the project was to specifically analyze, after three months, the changes in cognitive memory capacity and concentration, the stress experienced in work or study, and psycho-physical wellbeing perceived by the concerned subjects. Data collected during the three evaluations showed that, in the experimental group, as our scientific protocol has altered all these parameters in terms of quality of life in positive terms, modifications are susceptible to changes in the event that physical activity and proper nutrition are not followed

Impaired pro‐resolving mechanisms promote abnormal NETosis , fueling autoimmunity in sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a worldwide distributed hereditary red cell disorders with still high mortality and morbidity and limited therapeutic options. SCD is characterized by anemia, chronic hemolysis, and acute vaso-occlusive painful crises. The biocomplexity of SCD goes beyond red cells, involving neutrophils and soluble factors such as cytokines or alternative complement pathway intensively cross-talking with vascular endothelial cells. In addition, in SCD, the overactivation of neutrophils contributes to the production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) (1, 2). This might trigger endothelial vascular injury, promoting acute sickle cell related events and increasing the risk of infections in patients with SC

Longitudinal prospective anthropometric evaluation in Caucasian prepubertal children with lactose intolerance

IntroductionThe health consequences of lactose intolerance remain unclear. We studied the association of lactose intolerance with growth in children.MethodsIn this prospective case–control study, we compared Caucasian prepubertal children with lactose intolerance (LI) [n = 30, median age = 7.87 years (3.00–12.75)] to healthy controls [(n = 75, median age = 2.25 years (2.00–7.25)]. A lactose tolerance test was performed for lactose intolerance diagnosis. The gastrointestinal symptom score was administered at baseline and after a lactose-free diet for a median period of 9.0 months [range 5%–95% (6.0–24.0)]. The anthropometric parameters were measured at baseline and follow-up. All the anthropometric data were converted into standard deviation scores (SDS). A linear regression model was used to investigate the association of lactose intolerance with growth parameters.ResultsWe found no difference in height velocity SDS between the LI and control groups [SDS difference (95% CI): 0.52 (−1.86 to 2.90)]. In addition, we found a significant reduction in the clinical score of the LI group after a lactose-free diet [median (5%–95%): 7.5 (4.0–15.0) and 3 (0.0–8.0); p-value <0.001].ConclusionsThe LI group exhibited no difference in height velocity compared with the control group. Nonetheless, due to the small sample size, the results on the anthropometric profile of the LI group require careful interpretation. More large-scale studies in the pediatric population are required to better understand the association of LI with anthropometric and metabolic profiles

DWI-MR and PET-CT Functional Imaging for Boost Tumor Volume Delineation in Neoadjuvant Rectal Cancer Treatment

BACKGROUND/AIM T2 weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the gold standard for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) staging. The potential benefit of functional imaging, as diffusion-weighted MR (DWI) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), could be considered for treatment intensification strategies. Dose intensification resulted in better pathological complete response (pCR) rates. This study evaluated the inter-observer agreement between two radiation oncologists, and the difference in gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation in simulation-CT, T2-MR, DWI-MR, and PET-CT in patients with LARC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two radiation oncologists prospectively delineated GTVs of 24 patients on simul-CT (CT$_{GTV}$), T2-weighted MR (T2$_{GTV}$), echo planar b1000 DWI (DWI$_{GTV}$) and PET-CT (PET$_{GTV}$). Observers' agreement was assessed using Dice index. Kruskal-Wallis test assessed differences between methods. RESULTS Mean CT$_{GTV}$, T2$_{GTV}$, DWI$_{GTV}$, and PET$_{GTV}$ were 41.3±26.9 cc, 25.9±15.2 cc, 21±14.8 cc, and 37.7±27.7 cc for the first observer, and 42.2±27.9 cc, 27.6±16.9 cc, 19.9±14.9cc, and 34.8±24.3 cc for the second observer, respectively. Mean Dice index was 0.85 for CT$_{GTV}$, 0.84 for T2$_{GTV}$, 0.82 for DWI$_{GTV}$, and 0.89 for PET$_{GTV}$, representative of almost perfect agreement. Kruskal-Wallis test showed a statistically significant difference between methods (p=0.009). Dunn test showed there were differences between DWI$_{GTV}$ vs. PET$_{GTV}$ (p=0.040) and DWI$_{GTV}$ vs. CT$_{GTV}$ (p=0.008). CONCLUSION DWI resulted in smaller volume delineation compared to CT, T2-MR, and PET-CT functional images. Almost perfect agreements were reported for each imaging modality between two observers. DWI-MR seems to remain the optimal strategy for boost volume delineation for dose escalation in patients with LARC

Flu vaccination coverage in Italy in the COVID-19 era: A fuzzy functional k-means (FFKM) approach

Background: In Europe, flu vaccination coverage has decreased, and there are complex barriers to overcome to vaccinate against flu. Many studies have been conducted to estimate vaccination coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to disrupt immunization programs in many countries, including Italy, where vaccination against the flu is recommended but not mandatory. This paper aims to understand changes in flu vaccine uptake in Italian regions. Methods: Using functional data analysis and fuzzy functional k-means clustering, we investigated changes in flu vaccine coverage in Italian regions before (2010–2019) and after (2020–2022) the COVID-19 vaccination period. Results: The period of COVID-19 pandemic brought an increase in vaccine coverage globally. Elbow's method determined that the optimal number of clusters in vaccination uptake is 2. Apulia, Basilicata, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Molise, Tuscany, and Umbria in 2019 belong less to the group with low flu vaccination uptake (G1) but increase their tendency to belong to this group over time: they decrease their propensity to be vaccinated for flu. For others, it seems that COVID-19 served as a push to increase flu vaccination coverage rates. Sicily appears to be the region that has responded best to the pandemic, changing its membership value from 2019 to 2022. Conclusion: The present study highlights that the COVID-19 era has resulted in a higher flu vaccination coverage rate. Moreover, the regional level's improvement or worsening in flu vaccination coverage rate is not affected by the historical gap and socio-cultural and economic differences prevailing among Italian regions

Complex Systems in Economic and Social Science: An Application of the Goodwin Model to Italy Using the Statistical Software R

Recent research has highlighted that, in dynamical systems, especially when they are non-linear, small noises at the starting datum produce substantial changes in the long-term dynamics; this is connected with the so-called “complexity” and “deterministic chaos”. The stability theory aims to detect the asymptotic behavior of the system through the observation of its equilibrium points. A well-known example of non-linear system is the Lotka-Volterra model that describes the growth in an ecosystem, where only two species interact (“predators” and “prey”). This paper aims to show the adaptability of this model in the social-economical context, because it helps in explaining aspects of dichotomy not only in natural phenomena. Indeed, we also present the Goodwin model that extends the Lotka-Volterra model to the socio-economic context, and we apply it to Italy, using the R statistical software

An original approach to anomalies in intertemporal choices through functional data analysis: Theory and application for the study of Hikikomori syndrome

The pattern of intertemporal preferences is related to critical behavioural aspects involving individuals' emotional and cognitive spheres. The characteristics of the discount function can provide a quantitative interpretation of pathological conditions, such as addiction, depression, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In the literature on intertemporal preferences, researchers commonly refer to parametric models, which are often characterized by structural limitations, mainly when behavioral anomalies manifest in the dynamics of choices. This paper proposes using Functional Data Analysis (FDA) as an innovative tool to analyze discount functions' characteristics and interpret intertemporal choices' anomalies, overcoming the limits of a completely parametric approach. To show the potential of FDA in studying intertemporal decisions, this research proposes a novel methodology for dealing with discount functions and a possible application to the so-called Hikomori condition. The latter is a social phenomenon that has recently raised concerns and claimed the need for in-depth studies. Although the application focuses on the functional analysis of variance to capture possible differences between groups of curves, the true originality of the paper lies in the methodology for treating discount functions in the context of intertemporal choices. The paper's ultimate goal is to provide a powerful tool for studying and interpreting intertemporal choices' anomalies