Embedding a Crowd inside a Relay Baton:A Case Study in a Non-Competitive Sporting Activity

This paper presents a digital relay baton that connects long-distance runners with distributed online spectators. Such baton broadcasts athletes’ live locative data to a social network and communicates back remote-crowd support through haptic and audible cheers. Our work takes an exploratory design approach to bring new insights into the design of real-time techno-mediated social support. The prototype was deployed during a 170-mile charity relay race across the UK with 13 participants, 261 on-line supporters, and collected a total of 3153 ‘cheers’. We report on the insights collected during the design and deployment process and identify three fundamental design considerations: the degree of expressiveness afforded by the system design, the context applicability, and the data flow within the social networ

Embedding a Crowd inside a Relay Baton:A Case Study in a Non-Competitive Sporting Activity

This paper presents a digital relay baton that connects long-distance runners with distributed online spectators. Such baton broadcasts athletes’ live locative data to a social network and communicates back remote-crowd support through haptic and audible cheers. Our work takes an exploratory design approach to bring new insights into the design of real-time techno-mediated social support. The prototype was deployed during a 170-mile charity relay race across the UK with 13 participants, 261 on-line supporters, and collected a total of 3153 ‘cheers’. We report on the insights collected during the design and deployment process and identify three fundamental design considerations: the degree of expressiveness afforded by the system design, the context applicability, and the data flow within the social networ

Crowdsourcing synchronous spectator support:(go on, go on, you're the best)n-1

Many studies have shown that crowd-support, such as cheering during sport events, can have a positive impact on athletes’ performance. However, up until recently this support was only possible if the supporters and the athletes were geographically co-located. Can cheering be done remotely and would this be effective? In this paper we investigate the effect and possibilities of live remote cheering on co-located athletes and online supporting crowds that have a weak social tie and no social tie with the athlete. We recruit 140 online spectators and 5 athletes for an ad-hoc 5km road race. Results indicate that crowds socially closer to the athletes are significantly more engaged in the support. The athletes were excited by live remote cheering from friendsourced spectators and cheering from unknown crowdsourced participants indicating that remote friends and outsourced spectators could be an important source of support

Biometric data sharing in the wild:investigating the effects on online sports spectators

There has been a market surge in both provision of and demand for fitness applications and sport wearables. These werables often come equipped with highly sophisticated biometric data (e.g. heart rate) functionalities that make the capture and sharing of such biometric data increasingly common practice. A few research studies have considered the effect that sharing biometric data has on those individuals sharing this data. However, little is known regarding the social impact of sharing this data in real-time and online. In this study, we investigate whether there is value in sharing heart rate data within social applications and whether sharing this data influences the behavior of those seeing this data. We do so by conducting a study where the heart rate data of runners competing in a 5-km road race is shared in real-time with 140 online spectators. We collect rich quantitative data of user interaction though server logs, and a qualitative data set through interviews and online users' comments. We then compare and contrast the behavior of online spectators who are presented with heart rate data together with contextual data, and those who are only presented with contextual data, for example, location. We also examine whether this difference is dependent on the social relation between the athletes and the spectators. Results indicate that spectators who are presented with the runners' heart rate data support the athletes more and rate the presented system more positively. These effects are dependent on the social tie between the athletes and spectators. This is one of the first studies to carry out an empirical investigation in the wild on the effects of sharing heart rate data in an online social context. In this light, in addition to supporting earlier literature, the outcomes present new insights and research directions within the sporting context

Implementation of a Commercial Deep Learning-Based Auto Segmentation Software in Radiotherapy: Evaluation of Effectiveness and Impact on Workflow

Proper delineation of both target volumes and organs at risk is a crucial step in the radiation therapy workflow. This process is normally carried out manually by medical doctors, hence demanding timewise. To improve efficiency, auto-contouring methods have been proposed. We assessed a specific commercial software to investigate its impact on the radiotherapy workflow on four specific disease sites: head and neck, prostate, breast, and rectum. For the present study, we used a commercial deep learning-based auto-segmentation software, namely Limbus Contour (LC), Version 1.5.0 (Limbus AI Inc., Regina, SK, Canada). The software uses deep convolutional neural network models based on a U-net architecture, specific for each structure. Manual and automatic segmentation were compared on disease-specific organs at risk. Contouring time, geometrical performance (volume variation, Dice Similarity Coefficient-DSC, and center of mass shift), and dosimetric impact (DVH differences) were evaluated. With respect to time savings, the maximum advantage was seen in the setting of head and neck cancer with a 65%-time reduction. The average DSC was 0.72. The best agreement was found for lungs. Good results were highlighted for bladder, heart, and femoral heads. The most relevant dosimetric difference was in the rectal cancer case, where the mean volume covered by the 45 Gy isodose was 10.4 cm(3) for manual contouring and 289.4 cm(3) for automatic segmentation. Automatic contouring was able to significantly reduce the time required in the procedure, simplifying the workflow, and reducing interobserver variability. Its implementation was able to improve the radiation therapy workflow in our department

Biometric data sharing in the wild:investigating the effects on online sports spectators

There has been a market surge in both provision of and demand for fitness applications and sport wearables. These werables often come equipped with highly sophisticated biometric data (e.g. heart rate) functionalities that make the capture and sharing of such biometric data increasingly common practice. A few research studies have considered the effect that sharing biometric data has on those individuals sharing this data. However, little is known regarding the social impact of sharing this data in real-time and online. In this study, we investigate whether there is value in sharing heart rate data within social applications and whether sharing this data influences the behavior of those seeing this data. We do so by conducting a study where the heart rate data of runners competing in a 5-km road race is shared in real-time with 140 online spectators. We collect rich quantitative data of user interaction though server logs, and a qualitative data set through interviews and online users' comments. We then compare and contrast the behavior of online spectators who are presented with heart rate data together with contextual data, and those who are only presented with contextual data, for example, location. We also examine whether this difference is dependent on the social relation between the athletes and the spectators. Results indicate that spectators who are presented with the runners' heart rate data support the athletes more and rate the presented system more positively. These effects are dependent on the social tie between the athletes and spectators. This is one of the first studies to carry out an empirical investigation in the wild on the effects of sharing heart rate data in an online social context. In this light, in addition to supporting earlier literature, the outcomes present new insights and research directions within the sporting context

Hypofractionation and Concomitant Boost in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Analysis of a Prospective Case Series with Long-Term Follow-Up

We previously reported on a cohort of breast cancer patients affected with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) that were treated with breast conservative surgery and hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy with a concomitant boost to the lumpectomy cavity. We now report on the long-term results of the oncological and toxicity outcomes, at a median follow-up of 11.2 years. We also include an analysis of the predictive factors for local recurrence (LR). Eighty-two patients with long-term observation were considered for this report. All received hypofractionated post-operative radiotherapy with a concomitant boost (45 Gy/20 fractions to the whole breast and 50 Gy/20 fractions to the lumpectomy cavity). We report on LC rates at 5 and 10 years, overall survival (OS), and breast-cancer-specific survival (BCSS), employing the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional regression analysis was used to determine the role of selected clinical parameters on the risk of local recurrence, by the univariate and multivariate models. After a median follow-up of 11.2 years (range 5-15 years), 9 pts (11%) developed LR. The LR rates at 5 years and 10 years were 2.4% and 8.2%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 98.8% and 91.6%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year breast-cancer-specific survival rates were 100.0% and 99.0%. Late skin and subcutaneous toxicities were generally mild, and cosmetic results were good-excellent for most patients. For the univariate regression analysis, ER positive status (HR; 95% CI, p = 0.021), PgR positive status (HR; 95% CI, p = 0.012), and the aggregate data of positive hormonal status (HR; 95% CI, p = 0.021) were inversely correlated to LR risk. Conversely, a high tumor grade (G3) was directly correlated with the risk of LR (HR; 95% CI, p = 0.048). For the multivariate regression analysis, a high tumor grade (G3) confirmed its negative impact on LR (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.19-0.75, p = 0.047). Our long-term data demonstrate hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy with a concomitant boost to be feasable, effective, and tolerable. Our experience suggests positive hormonal status to be protective with respect to LR risk. A high tumor grade is a risk factor for LR

Divinizzazione dell'uomo e redenzione del peccato. Le teologie della salvezza nel cristianesimo di Oriente e di Occidente

I saggi pubblicati nel volume presentano in modo sintetico ma suggestivo i diversi aspetti della salvezza cristiana, così come sono compresi e vissuti nelle chiese di Oriente e di Occidente.- Indice #9- Introduzione, Andrea Pacini #13- La salvezza dell'uomo nella teologia cattolica: percorso storico e prospettive attuali, Franco Ardusso #17- La salvezza dell'uomo nella teologia protestante. Da Lutero alle prospettive contemporanee, Fulvio Ferrario #41- Salvezza come divinizzazione dell'uomo nella teologia di san Gregorio Palamas, Stavros Yangazoglou #61- Il significato del peccato originale nella tradizione ecclesiale. La fede della chiesa ortodossa secondo alcuni teologi greci del XX secolo, Lambros C. Siassos #77- Il linguaggio della divinizzazione in san Gregorio Palamas e nei mistici cattolici Margherita Porete e il Maestro Eckhart, Yannis Spiteris #101- Comprensioni differenti del medesimo mistero: le vie dell'ortodossia orientale e del cristianesimo latino, Tomáš Špidlík #133- Bibliografia generale #14

Apolipoprotein E in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Apolipoprotein E in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.BackgroundHyperlipemia characterizes nephrotic syndrome (NS) and contributes to the progression of the underlying nephropathy. The data in the literature support an implication of apolipoprotein E (apoE) in both hyperlipemia and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a malignant condition associated with NS.MethodsThe apoE genotype was determined in 209 nephrotic patients, who were classified according to age and their response to steroids as resistant children (N = 96) and adults (43), and steroid dependent (33) and steroid responder (37) children. A total of 123 presented the histological features of FSGS. In a subgroup of 28 patients, serum and urinary levels of apoE and renal deposits were evaluated by immunofluorescence.ResultsThe allelic frequencies of the three major haplotypes γ2, γ3, and γ4 were the same in nephrotic patients versus controls, and homozygosity for γ3γ3 was comparably the most frequent genotype (70 vs. 71%) followed by γ3γ4, γ2γ3, γ2γ4, γ4γ4. Serum levels of apoE were fivefold higher in NS and in FSGS patients than in controls, with a direct correlation with hypercholesterolemia and proteinuria. ApoE genotypes did not influence serum levels. Urinary levels were 1/10,000 of serum with an increment in nephrotic urines. Finally, immunofluorescence demonstrated the absence of apoE in sclerotic glomeruli, while comparably nephrotic patients with membranous nephropathy had an increased glomerular expression of apoE.ConclusionsApoE is dysregulated in NS with a marked increment in serum, which is a part of the complex lipid metabolism. Down-regulation of glomerular apoE instead is a peculiarity of FSGS and may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. The normal distribution of apoE genotypes in nephrotic patients with FSGS excludes a pathogenetic role of genetic variants