A Preliminar Evidence of Quantum Like Behavior in Measurements of Mental States

Experimental results presented in this paper supports the hypothesis on quantum-like statistical behaviour of cognitive systems (at least human beings). Our quantum-like approach gives the possibility to represent mental states by Hilbert space vectors (complex amplitudes). Such a representation induces huge reduction of information about a mental state. We realize an approach that has no direct relation with reductionist quantum models and we are not interested in statistical behavior of micro systems forming the macro system of the brain. We describe only probabilistic features of cognitive measurements. Our quantum-like approach describes statistics of measurements of cognitive systems with the aim to ascertain if cognitive systems behave as quantum-like systems where here quantum-like cognitive behavior means that cognitive systems result to be very sensitive to changes of the context with regard to the complex of the mental conditions

Is there a need for a treatment for COVID-19-induced diabetes?

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A flexible sensor technology for the distributed measurement of interaction pressure

We present a sensor technology for the measure of the physical human-robot interaction pressure developed in the last years at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. The system is composed of flexible matrices of opto-electronic sensors covered by a soft silicone cover. This sensory system is completely modular and scalable, allowing one to cover areas of any sizes and shapes, and to measure different pressure ranges. In this work we present the main application areas for this technology. A first generation of the system was used to monitor human-robot interaction in upper- (NEUROExos; Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna) and lower-limb (LOPES; University of Twente) exoskeletons for rehabilitation. A second generation, with increased resolution and wireless connection, was used to develop a pressure-sensitive foot insole and an improved human-robot interaction measurement systems. The experimental characterization of the latter system along with its validation on three healthy subjects is presented here for the first time. A perspective on future uses and development of the technology is finally drafted

Sperm motility and fertilization performance of Nodipecten nodosus (L., 1758) exposed at two different cryoprotectants

Cryopreservation is a valuable tool for aquaculture as it provides continuous seed production, regardless of the spawning season of the brood stock. The selection of a suitable cryoprotectant with low toxicity and high water solubility is important to avoid membrane injuries and intracellular ice crystallization. This study has been aimed at the assessment of the toxic effects of two usually applied cryoprotectants, 1-2 propylene glycol (PG) and methanol (MetOH), on spermatozoa of the of lion-paw scallop Nodipecten nodosus, by evaluating the sperm motility and the development of D larvae after fertilization procedure. Sperm was exposed at room temperature (22°C) for 10, 20 and 30 min to different concentration ranges of two cryoprotectants. Regarding the sperm motility, PG5%, PG7%, MetOH4% and MetOH6% did not show differences compared to control (semen incubated in seawater) (P < 0.05). The development of D larvae was not affected by the exposition to PG5%, MetOH 4% and MetOH 6%. These results indicate the potential use of both cryoprotectants for cryopreservation procedures

Viral fusion peptides induce several signal transduction pathway activations that are essential for interleukin-10 and beta-interferon production

Objectives: The deciphering of intracellular signaling pathways that are activated by the interaction between viral fusion peptides and cellular membranes are important for the understanding of both viral replication strategies and host defense mechanisms. Methods: Fusion peptides of several enveloped viruses belonging to different virus families were prepared by standard 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl polyamine solid-phase synthesis and used to stimulate U937 cells in vitro to analyze the phosphorylation patterns of the signaling pathways (PKC, Src, Akt, and MAPK pathways). Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting were carried out by using phosphospecific antibodies. All samples were also assayed for the presence of IL-10 and IFN-beta by ELISA and activation of nuclear factors (AP-1 and NF-kappa B). Results: We have demonstrated that hydrophobic domains of fusion proteins are able to induce several transduction pathways that lead to cytokine (IFN-beta and IL-10) production, an event that appears to be dependent on early activation of AP-1 and NF-kappa B. Conclusions: The results obtained on the signaling activity of fusion peptides from different viruses enabled us to shed some light on the complex mechanism of viral entry and more precisely we focused on the exact signaling event induced by hydrophobic domains characteristic of fusion peptides interacting with the cell membrane. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Base

An Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System for the Qualitative Study of Perceptual Prominence in Linguistics

Vitiello A, Acampora G, Cutugno F, Wagner P, Origlia A. An Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System for the Qualitative Study of Perceptual Prominence in Linguistics. In: IEEE International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (FUZZ-IEEE 2017). Piscataway, NJ: IEEE; 2017