A Topological Categorization of Agents for the Definition of Attack States in Multi-Agent Systems

We propose a topological categorization of agents that makes use of the multiple-channel logic (MCL) framework, a recently developed model of reasoning about agents. We firstly introduce a complete formalization of prejudices on agents' attitudes and propose an extension of the rules of the MCL framework. We then use RCC5 (the Region Connection Calculus) to categorize different agents in Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) based on the collaboration, competence, and honesty of agents. We discuss the possibility of using RCC3 and RCC8 and generalize our results to define an upper bound on the number of different types of agents in MAS. Finally, we apply our topological categorization to a specific MAS that describes a Cyber-Physical System, for which we define, categorize and discuss the resulting attack states

COVID-19 Patient Management in Outpatient Setting: A Population-Based Study from Southern Italy

: Evidence on treatments for early-stage COVID-19 in outpatient setting is sparse. We explored the pattern of use of drugs prescribed for COVID-19 outpatients' management in Southern Italy in the period February 2020-January 2021. This population-based cohort study was conducted using COVID-19 surveillance registry from Caserta Local Health Unit, which was linked to claims databases from the same catchment area. The date of SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosis was the index date (ID). We evaluated demographic and clinical characteristics of the study drug users and the pattern of use of drugs prescribed for outpatient COVID-19 management. Overall, 40,030 patients were included in the analyses, with a median (IQR) age of 44 (27-58) years. More than half of the included patients were asymptomatic at the ID. Overall, during the study period, 720 (1.8%) patients died due to COVID-19. Azithromycin and glucocorticoids were the most frequently prescribed drugs, while oxygen was the less frequently prescribed therapy. The cumulative rate of recovery from COVID-19 was 84.2% at 30 days from ID and it was lower among older patients. In this study we documented that the drug prescribing patterns for COVID-19 treatment in an outpatient setting from Southern Italy was not supported from current evidence on beneficial therapies for early treatment of COVID-19, thus highlighting the need to implement strategies for improving appropriate drug prescribing in general practice

Rapid Safety Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in EU Member States using Electronic Health Care Data Sources (COVID Vaccine Monitor-CVM study): Final Study Report for WP3 (electronic health record data)

In January 2021, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) launched a tender for safety monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines in the EU. The EU PE & PV and the VAC4EU network received and implemented the tender, which had two objectives, the first was to implement a prospective cohort for safety monitoring in more than 10 countries and the second was signal strengthening. This report is focusing on the second objective. Based on the technical specifications, signal strengthening meant the collection of additional information to further characterise the incidence of the safety concerns in comparison to its expected incidence in non- vaccinated populations or suitable comparator populations. Request of signal strengthening capacity was translated into two objectives: i) to create and assess readiness of electronic healthcare record data sources for rapid evaluation of safety signals by providing an overview of the methods to identify COVID-19 vaccine exposure in data sources, monitoring the number of individuals exposed to any COVID-19 vaccine, and the generation of updated background rates for Adverse Events of Special Interest, and ii) to conduct rapid safety assessment studies using electronic healthcare records and support EMA safety assessments