MACHINE LEARNING TO SUPPORT INDUSTRIAL DIGITALIZATION AND BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

This paper addresses use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and in particular Intelligent Agents (IA) in order to evaluate efficiency of information exchange and awareness in Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), with particular attention to digital transformation. To perform required experimentation, the authors have developed a Serious Game (SG) named JANUS, in which the player interacts with intelligent agents representing a virtual company and its actions aim to acquire as much as possible data about the organization

Alteration of serotonin transporter density and activity in fibromyalgia

The aim of the study was to evaluate the kinetic parameters of a specific serotonin transporter (SERT) and serotonin uptake in a mentally healthy subset of patients with fibromyalgia. Platelets were obtained from 40 patients and 38 healthy controls. SERT expression and functionality were evaluated through the measurement of [(3)H]paroxetine binding and the [(3)H]serotonin uptake itself. The values of maximal membrane binding capacity (B(max)) were statistically lower in the patients than in the healthy volunteers, whereas the dissociation constant (K(d)) did not show any statistically significant variations. Moreover, a decrease in the maximal uptake rate of SERT (V(max)) was demonstrated in the platelets of patients, whereas the Michaelis constant (K(m)) did not show any statistically significant variations. Symptom severity score (tiredness, tender points index and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) were negatively correlated with B(max )and with V(max), and positively correlated with K(m). A change in SERT seems to occur in fibromyalgic patients, and it seems to be related to the severity of fibromyalgic symptoms

Giovanni Sartori e la democrazia della Seconda Repubblica

Il saggio ripercorre e analizza criticamente tutti i passaggi istituzionali della cosiddetta Seconda Repubblica, ossia della peculiare democrazia maggioritaria che si imposta in Italia a partire dal 1994. Tali passaggi sono visti all'interno del pensiero di Giovanni Sartori e in particolare della sua teoria della democrazia. Tale pensiero si è manifestato sia attraverso opere scientifiche sia attraverso una continua attività pubblicistica, in particolare dalle colonne, come editorialista, del Corriere della Sera. Dall'esame di questo pensiero emerge una serrata e continua critica dei caratteri istituzionali della peculiare democrazia maggioritaria all'italiana.The essay traces and critically analyzes all the institutional steps of the so-called Italian Second Republic, that is the peculiar majoritarian democracy that is set in Italy since 1994. These steps are seen within the thoughts of Giovanni Sartori and in particular of his theory of democracy . Such thinking has manifested both through scientific works both through continuous publications, in particular from the columns, as a columnist, of the Corriere della Sera. From an examination of this thinking emerges a close and continuous criticism of the institutional character of the distinctive Italian style majoritarian democracy

Engineering innovative technology for the financial industry

Today innovative technologies allow to develop new performing systems; therefore, also complex in terms of interactions among components and emerging. The innovative technologies are a crucial point for many fields. The filed that we have focused on it is the financial engineering. The financial engineering notion is central to this thesis; as technology advances, the financial sector is becoming increasingly connected to the engineering sector. Financial engineering is a diverse subject of research and practice in which an engineering approach and methodology are applied to the world of finance. Financial engineering functions as a connector of data from several sectors, such as Economics, Mathematics, and IT. It is the application of mathematical concepts to financial problems, as well as the use of tools (due to technological advancements) and expertise from other fields. It used arithmetic to solve current financial problems and create new and innovative financial solutions. Regular commercial banks use financial engineering, which is known as quantity analysis. I looked at two major applications of financial engineering in this paper: machine learning and blockchain. In the financial sector, these two technologies are critical for engineering solutions. We investigated one application of blockchain: the crypto mining server. Machine learning is employed in the development of a specific financial indication (in the case of this work)

Extended Reality Technologies for Industrial Innovation

This paper presents an overview on immersive technologies in relation to their potential for industrial innovation. In particular, Extended Reality (XR) is proposed by describing the most common solutions and innovative methods to overcome inherent problems of these technologies. Virtual & Augmented Reality (VR & AR ) are presented respect their potential for uses such as innovative human-machine interfaces, remote maintenance, remote commissioning, 3D rendering, virtual factory, virtual assembly and training. The paper analyze the strong contribution that Immersive Technologies are bringing in multiple sectors including Industries and the future trends aiming to further increase usability of these technologies such as it is happening in overcoming spatial constraints

Reducing Dangers within Industrial Plants by Extended Reality

Every now and then, it is possible to hear about world-famous accidents occurred in industrial plants. Indeed, many of these facilities are characterized by multiple risk factors, such as areas with excessive temperature or noise level, presence of dust, chemical agents or other hazardous materials. On the other hand, there are numerous and less known minor accidents and near-misses involving operators that in other circumstances could lead to more or less serious injuries. In this study authors propose addressing of the problem of safety by creation of an interactive environment representing dangerous areas, such as confined spaces, in order to improve preparation of operators. In particular, it is studied use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in joint connection with immersive, interoperable, cyber-physical system including a wearable solution in order to increase the perception and the ability to contribute to the management and control of the process

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors on platelets of fibromyalgic patients

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze if alterations of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) characteristics occurred in platelet membranes of patients affected by primary fibromyalgia (FM). Design and methods: Platelets were obtained from 30 patients with FM. Evaluation of kinetic parameters of PBR was performed using [H-3] PK11195 as specific radioligand compared with 16 healthy volunteers. Results: The results showed a significant increase of PBR binding sites value in platelet membranes from FM patients (B-max was 5366 +/- 188 fmol/mg vs. controls, 4193 +/- 341 fmoUmg, mean +/- SEM) (**p 0.05). Symptom severity scores (pain and tiredness) were positively correlated with B-max. Conclusions: Our results showed an up-regulation of PBR in platelets of FM patients, and this seems to be related to the severity of fibromyalgic symptoms. (c) 2006 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. All rights reserved

ATP, calcium and magnesium levels in platelets of patients with primary fibromyalgia

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the intracellular levels of the high energy adenosine triphosphate nucleotide ATP and essential divalent cations, calcium and magnesium, in platelets of patients affected by primary fibromyalgia syndrome (FMs). DESIGN AND METHOD: Platelet ATP and cation concentrations were measured in 25 patients affected by FMs and 25 healthy volunteers through a chemiluminescent and a fluorimetric assay, respectively. RESULTS: Significant lower ATP levels were observed inside platelets of FM patients (fmol ATP/plt: 0.0169+/-0.0012 vs. healthy controls, fmol ATP/plt: 0.0306+/-0.0023, mean+/-SEM) (*** P<0.0001). A trend towards higher calcium concentrations (P=0.06) together with significant increased magnesium levels were also reported in platelets of patients by comparison with controls (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that disturbances in the homeostasis of platelet ATP metabolism-signaling and calcium-magnesium flows might have a relevance in the pathogenesis of FMs