Argument mining: A machine learning perspective

Argument mining has recently become a hot topic, attracting the interests of several and diverse research communities, ranging from artificial intelligence, to computational linguistics, natural language processing, social and philosophical sciences. In this paper, we attempt to describe the problems and challenges of argument mining from a machine learning angle. In particular, we advocate that machine learning techniques so far have been under-exploited, and that a more proper standardization of the problem, also with regards to the underlying argument model, could provide a crucial element to develop better systems

Low-dose oral imatinib in the treatment of systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease unresponsive to cyclophosphamide: a phase II pilot study

Introduction: Pulmonary involvement represents a major cause of death of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Recent data suggest that tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib, may be a therapeutic option for SSc patients. However, preliminary published clinical trials were inconclusive about imatinib efficacy and showed side effects. The purpose of this study was to verify efficacy and tolerability of low-dose imatinib on interstitial lung disease in a cohort of SSc patients unresponsive to cyclophosphamide therapy.Methods: Thirty consecutive SSc patients with active pulmonary involvement, unresponsive to cyclophosphamide, were treated with imatinib 200 mg/day for 6 months followed by a 6-month follow-up. A "good response" was defined as an increase of forced vital capacity (FVC) by more of 15% and/or increase of diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) > 15% and PaO2 > 90% of initial value and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)-scan pattern unchanged or improved.Results: Twenty-six patients completed the study. Three patients died and one patient was lost to follow-up. Four patients (15.32%) had a good response, 7 worsened and 15 had a stabilized lung disease. Overall, 19 (73.07%) patients had an improved or stabilized lung disease. After a 6-month follow-up, 12 (54.5%) of the 22 patients showed an improved or stabilized lung disease.Conclusions: Lung function was stabilized in a large proportion of patients unresponsive to cyclophosphamide therapy and a beneficial outcome emerged from the analysis of HRCT lung scans. There was no significant improvement of skin involvement, and the low dose was well tolerated. These data provide useful suggestions to design future randomized clinical trials for SSc therapeutics

Leoncillo, la memoria salvata: il recupero del monumento ai caduti di tutte le guerre di Albissola Marina

Prima analisi storica, critica e metodologica delle problematiche conservative e del processo di restauro avviato sul Monumento ai Caduti di tutte le guerre di Albissola Marina, opera di Leoncillo Leonard

I modelli ad agenti

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How should agent-based modelling engage with historical processes?

This chapter consists of two main parts. After an introduction, the first part briefly considers the way that historical processes have been represented in ABM to date. This makes it possible to draw more general conclusions about the limitations of ABM in dealing with distinctively historical (as opposed to merely dynamic) processes. The second part of the chapter presents a very simple ABM in which three such distinctively historical processes are analysed. These are the possible significance of unique individuals-the so-called Great Men, the invention and spread of social innovations from specific points in time and the creation of persistent social structures (also from specific points in time). The object of the chapter is to advance the potential applicability of ABM to historical events as understood by historians (rather than anthropologists or practitioners of ABM.)