WARP: Weight Associative Rule Processor. A dedicated VLSI fuzzy logic megacell

During the last five years Fuzzy Logic has gained enormous popularity in the academic and industrial worlds. The success of this new methodology has led the microelectronics industry to create a new class of machines, called Fuzzy Machines, to overcome the limitations of traditional computing systems when utilized as Fuzzy Systems. This paper gives an overview of the methods by which Fuzzy Logic data structures are represented in the machines (each with its own advantages and inefficiencies). Next, the paper introduces WARP (Weight Associative Rule Processor) which is a dedicated VLSI megacell allowing the realization of a fuzzy controller suitable for a wide range of applications. WARP represents an innovative approach to VLSI Fuzzy controllers by utilizing different types of data structures for characterizing the membership functions during the various stages of the Fuzzy processing. WARP dedicated architecture has been designed in order to achieve high performance by exploiting the computational advantages offered by the different data representations

Adaptation of the Penetration-Aspiration Scale to Open Partial Horizontal Laryngectomy: reliability analysis

The study aimed at adapting the Penetration-Aspiration scale to OPHL and analysing its reliability

The Penetration–Aspiration Scale: Adaptation to Open Partial Laryngectomy and Reliability Analysis

A standard for assessing swallowing function after open partial horizontal laryngectomy (OPHL) is still not established. The variability in the measures used to investigate swallowing functional outcomes after OPHL limits the communication among clinicians and the possibility to compare and combine results from different studies. The study aims to adapt the PAS to the altered anatomy after OPHLs using fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and to test its reliability. To adapt the PAS, two landmarks were identified: the entry of the laryngeal vestibule and the neoglottis. Ninety patients who underwent an OPHL were recruited (27 type I, 31 type II and 32 type III). FEES was performed and video-recorded. Two speech and language therapists (SLTs) independently rated each FEES using the PAS adapted for OPHL (OPHL-PAS). FEES recordings were rated for a second time by both SLTs at least 15 days from the first video analysis. Inter- and intra-rater agreement was assessed using unweighted Cohen's kappa. Overall, inter-rater agreement of the OPHL-PAS was k\u2009=\u20090.863, while intra-rater agreement was k\u2009=\u20090.854. Concerning different OPHL types, inter- and intra-rater agreement were k\u2009=\u20090.924 and k\u2009=\u20090.914 for type I, k\u2009=\u20090.865 and k\u2009=\u20090.790 for type II, and k\u2009=\u20090.808 and k\u2009=\u20090.858 for type III, respectively. The OPHL-PAS is a reliable scale to assess the invasion of lower airway during swallowing in patients with OPHL using FEES. The study represents the first attempt to define standard tools to assess swallowing functional outcome in this population

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 2.

In this contribution new chromosome numbers for Italian endemic taxa are presented. It includes 13 chromosome counts for Ornithogalum (Asparagaceae), Anthemis, Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Hieracium, Taraxacum (Asteraceae), Asyneuma (Campanulaceae), Knautia (Caprifoliaceae), Gypsophila (Caryophyllaceae), Linum (Linaceae), Helleborus (Ranunculaceae)

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 2.

In this contribution new chromosome numbers for Italian endemic taxa are presented. It includes 13 chromosome counts for Ornithogalum (Asparagaceae), Anthemis, Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Hieracium, Taraxacum (Asteraceae), Asyneuma (Campanulaceae), Knautia (Caprifoliaceae), Gypsophila (Caryophyllaceae), Linum (Linaceae), Helleborus (Ranunculaceae)

The role of masseter muscle EMG during DISE to predict the effectiveness of MAD: preliminary results

È noto che lapplicazione dellapparecchio per lavanzamento mandibolare (MAD) aumenta lattività del complesso muscolare temporomandibolare (TM) e del muscolo massetere (MM) con il rischio di ridurre laderenza al trattamento. Alcuni parametri clinici riconosciuti predittivi dellefficacia del MAD sono già utilizzati per la selezione dei casi e tra questi lavanzamento mandibolare (MA) simulato durante la sleep endoscopy è quello principale. Presentiamo qui i risultati della registrazione EMG del muscolo massetere in tre casi di pazienti normopeso affetti da OSAS non-severa (AHI < 30) sottoposti alla MA durante la sleep endoscopy e poi trattati con MAD. La poligrafia dinamica di controllo a distanza, documentava una significativa riduzione dellAHI. I due casi che avevano mostrato un incremento transitorio dellattività del MM durante la MA non riferivano effetti collaterali, laltro, che aveva dimostrato un incremento persistente del segnale, riferiva al follow-up un discomfort in regione TM senza alterazioni dellocclusione. LEMG del massetere potrebbe contribuire a migliorare la selezione dei casi suscettibili di trattamento con MAD

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 1.

In this contribution new chromosome data obtained on material collected in Italy are presented. It includes 15 chromosome counts for Carduus, Crepis, Picris, Taraxacum (Asteraceae), Ceratonia, Lathyrus (Fabaceae), Colchicum (Colchicaceae), Fritillaria (Liliaceae), Petrorhagia (Caryophyllaceae), Potentilla (Rosaceae), Quercus (Fagaceae), Reseda (Resedaceae), and Thymus (Lamiaceae)