Effective field theory from modified gravity with massive modes

Massive gravitational modes in effective field theories can be recovered by extending General Relativity and taking into account generic functions of the curvature invariants, not necessarily linear in the Ricci scalar R. In particular, adopting the minimal extension of f(R) gravity, an effective field theory with massive modes is straightforwardly recovered. This approach allows to evade shortcomings like ghosts and discontinuities if a suitable choice of expansion parameters is performed.Comment: 11 pages, no figures; title and text match published versio

Multi-agent quality of experience control

In the framework of the Future Internet, the aim of the Quality of Experience (QoE) Control functionalities is to track the personalized desired QoE level of the applications. The paper proposes to perform such a task by dynamically selecting the most appropriate Classes of Service (among the ones supported by the network), this selection being driven by a novel heuristic Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) algorithm. The paper shows that such an approach offers the opportunity to cope with some practical implementation problems: in particular, it allows to face the so-called “curse of dimensionality” of MARL algorithms, thus achieving satisfactory performance results even in the presence of several hundreds of Agents

A Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas: The Two Italies

European policies are increasingly focused on long-term rural development. The effectiveness of these policies is dependent on the involvement of local actors. The present paper investigates the involvement of said actors in the Italian context by asking Local Action Groups to assign a score to each of the eight dimensions of rural development in relation to: i) implemented actions; ii) future expectations; iii) involvement of local communities; iv) involvement of public actors. Synthetic indicators are then used to measure the long-term vision of development. The results indicate that there is less involvement of public actors in the South of Ital

Critical assessment of CO2 emission of different concretes: foamed, lightweight aggregate, recycled and ordinary concrete

Construction materials contribute to about 75% of the CO2 emission of all the construction processes. Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials and is thus primarily responsible for CO2 emission. In particular, 8 − 9% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emission are produced by concrete. CO2 emissions can be considerably reduced in the construction phase through a careful selection of materials with low environmental impact or through specific admixtures. In this study, different concretes are taken into consideration, including foamed concrete, lightweight aggregate concrete, recycled concrete and ordinary concrete. A series of mix designs of these four classes of concrete, characterized by a comparable mechanical strength or a comparable density, are taken from the relevant literature and compared to one another in terms of CO2 emission. Some guidelines or possible research lines aimed at reducing CO2 emission are finally outlined in this contribution

New antiangiogenics in non-small cell lung cancer treatment: Vargatef™ (BIBF 1120) and beyond

Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a particularly aggressive cancer, the optimum management of which is still being determined. In the metastatic disease, the standard therapy is a platinum-based combination chemotherapy; however, in spite of available treatment options for patients who progress beyond first-line therapy, prognosis remains poor. Angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process which comprises a complex, complementary, and overlapping network. Inhibition of tumor-related angiogenesis has become an attractive target for anticancer therapy. Antiangiogenic strategy includes: monoclonal antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor (VEGFR), small molecule inhibitors of VEGF tyrosine kinase activity, VEGF Trap, and a new class named “vascular disrupting agents,” tested in ongoing clinical trials which will further define their role in the management of NSCLC. BIBF 1120 is an investigational orally administered receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has shown antiangiogenic and antineoplastic activity, inhibiting VEGFR, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and fibroblast growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases, preventing tumor growth and interfering with the angiogenesis-signaling cascade and overcoming drug resistances

Dysgraphia in Relation to Cognitive Performance in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Dysgraphia has been observed in patients presenting mild to moderate levels of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in several studies. In the present study, 30 AD patients and 30 matched healthy controls, originating from the Lazio region, Rome, Italy, were examined on tests of letter-writing ability and cognitive performance over a series of 10 test days that extended over 19 days (Test days: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19). Consistent deficits by the AD patients over the initial cognition test (PQ1), 2nd cognition test (PQ2) and the difference between them (D∆), expressing deterioration, and writing-time compared the group of healthy control subjects were obtained. Furthermore, the performances of the AD patients on the PQ1, D∆ and writing-time, but not the PQ2, tests deteriorated from the 1st five days of testing (Days 1-9) to the 2nd five days (11-19). Both AD patients’ and healthy controls’ MMSE scores were markedly and significantly correlated with performance of PQ1, writing-time and PQ2. The extent of dysgraphia and progressive deficits in the AD patients implicate multiple brain regions in the loss of functional integrity

Serum-epidemiological survey in a group of illegal immigrates for the evaluation of immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases in Italy

Background During the period May 2004 – December 2005 a serum epidemiological survey for preventable diseases through compulsory vaccination in Italy (diphtheria, tetanus, poliovirus, hepatitis B) and rubella in women was performed in a group of adult and illegal immigrants living in Rome, to evaluate the relationship between vaccination coverage and socio-demographic characteristics. Methods It was carried out by Elisa test (for rubella, tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis B) and by neutralizing antibody titration (Poliovirus). Both descriptive analyses (calculation of mean, median, standard deviation, percentage) and inferential statistics (hypothesis tests) were used. Results Six hundred and sixty-seven immigrants were invited to participate and 318 of them performed the analysis (participation rate = 47.6 %). The percentages of immunized individuals were: 39.1% for diphtheria (basic immunization 59.3%), 74.8% for tetanus, 74.1% for poliomyelitis, and 94.7% for rubella. Only 2.8% was vaccinated against hepatitis B. Conclusion Most immigrants would need a booster dose for diphtheria and tetanus. Among Eastern European subjects Poliovirus vaccination coverage was lower than 70%, implying that the maintenance of high levels of it is strongly necessary. With regard to rubella, African women had the lowest coverage (87.5%) and their young age exposes to congenital rubella. Over half of immigrants were healthy carriers for HBV

Post-intubation tracheal lacerations: Risk-stratification and treatment protocol according to morphological classification

BackgroundPost-intubation tracheal laceration (PITL) is a rare condition (0.005% of intubations). The treatment of choice has traditionally been surgical repair. Following our first report in 2010 of treatment protocol tailored to a risk-stratified morphological classification there is now clear evidence that conservative therapy represents the gold standard in the majority of patients. In this paper we aim to validate our risk-stratified treatment protocol through the largest ever reported series of patients. MethodsThis retrospective analysis is based on a prospectively collected series (2003-2020) of 62 patients with PITL, staged and treated according to our revised morphological classification. ResultsFifty-five patients with Level I (#8), II (#36) and IIIA (#11) PITL were successfully treated conservatively. Six patients with Level IIIB injury and 1 patient with Level IV underwent a surgical repair of the trachea. No mortality was reported. Bronchoscopy confirmed complete healing in all patients by day 30. Statistical analysis showed age only to be a risk factor for PITL severity. ConclusionsOur previously proposed risk-stratified morphological classification has been validated as the major tool for defining the type of treatment in PITL

Altered gut microbiota and endocannabinoid system tone in vitamin D deficiency-mediated chronic pain

Abstract Recent evidence points to the gut microbiota as a regulator of brain and behavior, although it remains to be determined if gut bacteria play a role in chronic pain. The endocannabinoid system is implicated in inflammation and chronic pain processing at both the gut and central nervous system (CNS) levels. In the present study, we used low Vitamin D dietary intake in mice and evaluated possible changes in gut microbiota, pain processing and endocannabinoid system signaling. Vitamin D deficiency induced a lower microbial diversity characterized by an increase in Firmicutes and a decrease in Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes. Concurrently, vitamin D deficient mice showed tactile allodynia associated with neuronal hyperexcitability and alterations of endocannabinoid system members (endogenous mediators and their receptors) at the spinal cord level. Changes in endocannabinoid (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) levels were also observed in the duodenum and colon. Remarkably, the anti-inflammatory anandamide congener, palmitoylethanolamide, counteracted both the pain behaviour and spinal biochemical changes in vitamin D deficient mice, whilst increasing the levels of Akkermansia, Eubacterium and Enterobacteriaceae, as compared with vehicle-treated mice. Finally, induction of spared nerve injury in normal or vitamin D deficient mice was not accompanied by changes in gut microbiota composition. Our data suggest the existence of a link between Vitamin D deficiency – with related changes in gut bacterial composition – and altered nociception, possibly via molecular mechanisms involving the endocannabinoid and related mediator signaling systems

Review of multiple hazards in volcanic islands to enable the management of long-term risks: the cases of Ischia and Vulcano, Italy

The management of long-term volcanic risks represents a challenge that requires a close cooperation between science and decision-making. This is particularly crucial in volcanic islands, which are characterized by multiple hazards concentrated in a relatively small environment, often associated with a large seasonality of exposure due to tourism. The scientific challenges are mainly the quantification and the characterization of the interactions among the multiple hazardous phenomena that may occur during the different “states of thevolcano” (quiescence, unrest, eruption) and the definition of robust methods to forecast the transition between these states. For these topics, the emerging scientific knowledge is often rather limited and uncertain and, also in case it was well constrained, difficult to communicate to decision makers due to its intrinsic complexity. On the other side, the challenge for decision making is to assimilate this uncertain knowledgeand translate it into actions. Here, we discuss the experience gained in two working groups (WGs) in charge of reviewing the state of knowledge about volcanic hazards for the Italian volcanic islands of Ischia and Vulcano to build the scientific ground for subsequent decision making. These WGs, formed within the agreement between INGV and the Italian Civil Protection Department, involved about 20 researchers from INGV and Universities, as well as representatives of the Italian Civil Protection, to facilitate the reciprocal understanding and to address the work toward useful results for decision making. The WGs reviewed all the potential volcanic hazards for Ischia and Vulcano based on literature, results of previous projects, as well as ad hoc audits of other experts on specific topics, and organized a workshop to present the results and receive feedbacks from the extended scientific community