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Geographic Profiling (GP) attempts to reconstruct the spreading centre of a series of events due to the same cause. The result of the analysis provides an approximated localization of the spreading centre within an area (often represented as a red red), where the probability of finding it is higher than a given threshold (typically 95%). The analysis has as an assumption that the events will be likely to occur at very low probability around the spreading centre, in a ring-shaped zone called the buffer zone. Obvious examples are series of crimes perpetrated by an offender (unwilling to perpetrate offences close to home), or the localities of spread of an invasive species, where the buffer zone, if present, depends on the biological features of the species. Our first aim was to show how the addition of new events may change the preliminary approximate localization of the spreading centre. The analyses of the simulated data showed that if B, the parameter used to represent the radius of the buffer zone, varies within a range of 10% from the real value, after a low number of events (7–8), the method yields converging results in terms of distance between the barycentre of the red zone and the “real” user provided spreading centre of a simulated data set. The convergence occurs more slowly with the increase in inaccuracy of B. These results provide further validity to the method of the GP, showing that even an approximate choice of the B value can be sufficient for an accurate location of the spreading centre. The results allow also to quantify how many samples are needed in relation to the uncertainty of the chosen parameters, to obtain feasible results.

Supplementary Materials PDF file - 126K, supplementary methods and figure legends

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It is possible that there are good reasons not to recognise a legal personality for autonomous systems, but there are none for not deepening the debate. On 16 February 2017, the European Parliament asked the Commission to explore the possibility of recognising a specific legal status for robots, so that at least the most sophisticated autonomous robots could be held as electronic persons liable for compensation for the damage they cause. The reaction has been one of complete closure. However, there are several good reasons to critically re-examine the reasons for this opposition in the light of both civil and criminal liability.

Cardiac arrhythmias have not been previously reported in horses while swimming.To describe the type and frequency of encountered arrhythmias during repetitive swimming cycles.Descriptive observational study.Sixteen horses swam five pool lengths (75 m), each separated by an active recovery walk. Continuous electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded (n = 80) and analysed during the pre-swim, swim and active-recovery periods. Arrhythmias were categorised as sinus arrhythmia (SA), sinus block, sinus pause (compensatory and non-compensatory), second degree atrioventricular block (2AVB) for physiological arrhythmias, supraventricular premature depolarisation (SVPD) and ventricular premature depolarisation (VPD) for non-physiological arrhythmias. A linear mixed-effects model was used to examine the effects of repetitive swim lengths on arrhythmias and swimming parameters. Data were reported as median [interquartile range].Fifteen horses (94%) experienced at least one arrhythmia; however, the frequency remained low and 2AVB were only observed during the pre-swim period. The swimming heart rate (HR) was 162 bpm [141;173]. Sinus blocks, sinus pauses, SA, SVPD and VPD were all recorded at least once during swimming. Except for one VPD couplet, all premature depolarisations were isolated. During active-recovery, the HR was 105 bpm [103;106], with SA observed in 13 horses (81%), isolated SVPD in six horses (38%), sinus pause in one horse (6%) but no VPD present.Limited number of horses precluding population prevalence assessment.High-quality underwater ECGs were acquired in swimming horses for the first time. The frequency of arrhythmias remained low and rare pathological arrhythmias were observed during repetitive swimming and active-recovery cycles. Swimming with active-recovery periods is not a high-risk cardio-arrhythmic exercise.Arritmias cardiacas no han sido previamente descritas en caballos nadando.Describir el tipo y frecuencia de arritmias encontradas durante ciclos de natación repetitivos. DISEÑO DEL ESTUDIO: Estudio descriptivo observacional. MÉTODOS: Diez y seis caballos nadaron cinco largos de piscina (75 m), cada uno separado por una caminata de recuperación. Electrocardiogramas continuos (ECGs) fueron grabados (n = 80) y analizados durante el pre-natación, natación y periodos de recuperación activa. Las arritmias fueron categorizadas en arritmia sinusal (SA), bloqueo sinusal, pausa sinusal (compensatoria y no compensatoria), bloqueo atrio ventricular de segundo grado (2AVB) para las arritmias fisiológicas, y en despolarización supraventricular prematura (SVPD) y despolarización ventricular prematura (VPD) para las arritmias no fisiológicas. Se utilizo un modelo linear de efecto mixto para examinar los efectos de nadar largos de piscina en forma repetitiva sobre las arritmias y parámetros de natación. Los datos fueron reportados como mediana [rango intercuartil].Quince caballos (94%) sufrieron de al menos una arritmia, sin embargo la frecuencia permaneció baja. 2AVB fueron observados solo durante el periodo de pre-natación. La frecuencia cardiaca durante la natación (HR) fue de 162 bpm [141;173]. Bloqueos sinusales, pausas sinusales, SA, SVPD y VPD fueron todos registrados por lo menos una vez durante la natación. Excepto por un par de VPD, todas las despolarizaciones fueron aisladas. Durante la recuperación activa, la HR fue de 105 bpm [103;106], con SA observado en 13 caballos (81%), SVPD aislados en 6 caballos (38%), pausa sinusal en 1 caballos (6%) pero ningún VPD presente.Número limitado de caballos lo que imposibilita hacer un asesoramiento de la prevalencia en la población. CONCLUSIÓN E IMPORTANCIA CLÍNICA: Por primera vez, se adquirieron ECGs debajo del agua de alta calidad en caballos nadando. La frecuencia de las arritmias permaneció baja y se observaron arritmias patológicas raramente durante la natación repetitiva y los ciclos de recuperación activa. Nadar con periodos de recuperación activa no es un ejercicio de alto riesgo cardio-arrítmico.

Background. Extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGAN, i.e., neonates born before 28 weeks of gestation), are at high risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with potential long-life visual impairment. Due to concomitant anemia, ELGANs need repeated red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. These produce a progressive replacement of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) by adult hemoglobin (HbA). Furthermore, a close association exists between low levels of HbF and severe ROP, suggesting that a perturbation of the HbF-mediated oxygen release may derange retinal angiogenesis and promote ROP. Methods/design. BORN (umBilical blOod to tRansfuse preterm Neonates) is a multicenter double-blinded randomized controlled trial in ELGANs, to assess the effect of allogeneic cord blood RBC transfusions (CB-RBCs) on severe ROP development. Recruitment, consent and randomization take place at 10 Neonatology Intensive Care Units (NICUs) of 8 Italian tertiary Hospitals. ELGANs with gestational age at birth comprised between 24 + 0 and 27 + 6 weeks are randomly allocated into two groups: 1) standard RBC transfusions (adult-RBCs) (control arm); 2) CB-RBCs (intervention arm). In case of transfusion need, enrolled patients receive transfusions according to the allocation arm, unless an ABO/RhD CB-RBC is unavailable. Nine Italian public CB banks cooperate to make available a suitable amount of CB-RBC units for all participating NICUs. The primary outcome is the incidence of severe ROP (stage 3 or higher) at discharge or 40 weeks of post-menstrual age, which occurs first. Discussion. BORN is a ground-breaking trial, pioneering a new transfusion approach dedicated to ELGANs at high risk for severe ROP. In previous non-randomized trials, this transfusion approach was proven feasible and able to prevent the HbF decrease in patients requiring multiple transfusions. Should the BORN trial confirm the efficacy of CB-RBCs in reducing ROP severity, this transfusion strategy would became the preferential blood product to be used in severely preterm neonates. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05100212

Purpose Despite the potential of Big Data analytics, the analysis of Micro Data represents the main way of forecasting the expected values of recorded amounts and/or ratios for small auditing firms and certified public accountants dealing with analytical procedures. This study aims to examine how effective Micro Data analytics are by testing the forecast accuracy of the ratio of the allowance for doubtful accounts to the trade accounts receivable and the natural logarithm of the net sales of goods and services, the first exposed to a greater uncertainty than the second. Design/methodology/approach Micro Data are low in volume, variety, velocity and variability, but high in veracity. Given the over-fitting problems affecting Micro Data analytics, the in-sample and out-of-sample forecasts were made for both tests. Multiple regression and neural network models were performed using a sample of 35 Italian industrial listed companies. Findings The accuracy level of the forecasting models was found in terms of mean absolute percentage error and other accuracy measures. The neural network model provided more accurate forecasts than multiple regression in both tests, showing a higher accuracy level for the amounts exposed to less uncertainty. Moreover, no generalized conclusions on predictors included in the models could be drawn. Practical implications The examination of forecast accuracy helps auditors to evaluate whether analytical procedures can be successfully applied to detect misstatements when Micro Data are used and which model gives the most accurate forecasts. Originality/value This is the first study to measure the forecast accuracy of the multiple regression and neural network models performed using a Micro Data set. Forecast accuracy is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of analytical procedures.

Since the recruitment process, Italian Mafias impose on their members a strict code of conduct. These rigid rules regulate their private and public behavior, implying a total adhesion to the group’s values. Such juridical and social aspects substantially distinguish organized crime (OC) from ordinary crime. It is still unknown whether these two categories of offenders also show distinctive cognitive traits. Here we investigated the frontal lobe cognitive functions of 50 OC prisoners from the Mafia and 50 non-OC prisoners based on the performance of 50 non-prisoner controls. We found that OC members were more likely to show pathological risk-propensity than non-OC prisoners. We interpret this finding as the result of the internal dynamics of Mafia groups. OC is a worldwide threat, and the identification of cognitive traits behind criminal behavior will help in devising focused prevention policies.

Contains fulltext : 219097.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Blockchain is the way universally used to describe the distributed register or ledger technology. It shares several features and aspects with a series of other technologies, among the others, cryptocurrencies, bitcoin, smart contracts, Internet, Internet of thing and AI. Some very brief clarifications on these interconnections might offer a reasonable background for a better understanding of our focus: dispute resolution.

In neuroscience and law the traditional free will approach is not able to face the reality of interaction with artificial intelligence and robotics. The author maintains we should rather look at neuroscience and neurotechniques within the continuum of intelligent automation, which includes artificial intelligence and other Semi-cognitive systems of intelligence. Once assumed such perspective, the issue immediately takes a shape, which is factually and conceptually wider and encompass more practical applications.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are gathered in venous thromboembolism (VTE) and represent the third cause of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies suggest that meteorological parameters as atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity could affect PE incidence but, nowadays, the relationship between these two phenomena is debated and the evidence is not completely explained. The clinical experience of the Department of Emergency Medicine at AOUC Hospital suggests the possibility that a relationship effectively exists. We have collected data concerning the Emergency Medicine Unit admissions of PE patients to confirm our hypothesis. At the same time, atmospheric parameters are collected from the Lamma Consortium of Tuscany region. We have implemented new IT models and statistic tools by using semi-hourly records of weather time high resolution data to process the dataset. We have carried out tools from econometrics, like mobile means, and we have studied anomalies through the search for peaks and possible patterns. We have created a framework in Python to represent and study time series and to analyze data and plot graphs. The project has been uploaded on GitHub. Our analyses highlighted a strong correlation between the moving averages of atmospheric pressure and those of the hospitalizations number (R= -0.9468, p, 30 pages, 18 figures

This paper deals with such issues as technologies and their impact upon society, their regulatory power and their regulations, as well as how human beings and social relationships change in this reality. Readers who wonder about what kind of connection exists between arid technologies - and the even more arid law, and emotions, as well as feelings, will easily answer that, in the final analysis, the limits and the secret of technologies lay in such factors as deep social acceptance, emotions that machines and their usages arouse in women and men, the way in which people perceive their own lives in this new world and realize that the human (and biological) capacity for empathy is probably less exposed to technological erosion than other areas. More precisely, it is a question of emotions and love, even if and when it comes to rules and technological systems. This contribution is an attempt to identify some aspects that make the legal actions in this area particularly complex and to outline the appropriate disciplinary and cultural strategy to address the issue of technological systems and applicable rules.

The use of geographic profiling (GP), based on “Rossmo's formula”, a technique derived from criminology, has been previously proven to be effective in assessing the origin of invading species. The application on Caulerpa taxifolia showed the most probable center of spread of the invasion. This article discusses a method of assessing the degree of robustness of the results obtained with Rossmo's method. To provide an evaluation of the reliability of geographic profiling results we used the jackknife technique, randomly eliminating part of the data set for a given number of replicates (500) in order to analyze the obtained result for each replicate. In GP the results are a series of images with geoprofiling prioritization, each produced with one of the replicates. These images can be summarized in three different ways: (1) OR, depicting all the high probability pixels from the series of replicates; (2) AND, depicting only those high probability pixels present in every replicate; and (3) MEAN, depicting the mean color value for each pixel calculated from all the replicates. We show that jackknifing can be a useful method to increase robustness of GP analysis in criminology, epidemiology and biological invasions. Summarizing jackknifing results with the OR logical operator yields the highest sensitivity and worst specificity, while the use of the AND operator increases specificity but reduces sensitivity. Using the mean of the pixel values maintains the visualization of the areas of highest priority (specificity), while also showing the surrounding area with varying colors, analogous to confidence limits.

This interview with the Florentine poet and actress Rosaria Lo Russo focuses on her beginnings, her adoption and rejection of literary and theatrical models as well as her relationship with performative poetry. By discussing the close link between poetry and musicality, her activity as an essayist and translator as well as the evolution of styles, registers and artistic modalities in her works, Lo Russo reflects on the status of women's writing and the pursuit of authoriality.

This study examines how the operating cash flow net of cash from investing activities (CFINV) is correlated with the net income for a sample of 189 Italian listed firms from 2011 to 2015. Research findings revealed three main results. First, firms that have a positive amount of CFINV greater than the amount of net income are unprofitable and levered. Second, CFINV is positively affected by firm profitability, efficiency and leverage. Third, the corporate tax burden is positively affected by firm profitability and efficiency, but negatively influenced by leverage. A similar association between corporate tax burden and CFINV was also found. The relations we present aim to provide additional evidence for the debate about the use of a cash-flow tax base as an alternative solution to the traditional income tax base.

This chapter is not about biolaw and what it will be in the 21st century. It is rather the story of the personal involvement of the author in biolaw, of his activity in the field and of his recent coming back to law, in general terms, having in mind his fascinating and enriching background at the intersection between science, technology and law. Having spent more than three decades working on the relationship between law and biomedicine, first, and, then, between law and life sciences, and then between law and science and technologies, the author reaches the conclusion that it does not make a lot of sense to create and cultivate discrete fields of law according to specific scientific fields and neither for the all area of technology and law.

Here we describe the LifeTime Initiative, which aims to track, understand and target human cells during the onset and progression of complex diseases, and to analyse their response to therapy at single-cell resolution. This mission will be implemented through the development, integration and application of single-cell multi-omics and imaging, artificial intelligence and patient-derived experimental disease models during the progression from health to disease. The analysis of large molecular and clinical datasets will identify molecular mechanisms, create predictive computational models of disease progression, and reveal new drug targets and therapies. The timely detection and interception of disease embedded in an ethical and patient-centred vision will be achieved through interactions across academia, hospitals, patient associations, health data management systems and industry. The application of this strategy to key medical challenges in cancer, neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, and infectious, chronic inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases at the single-cell level will usher in cell-based interceptive medicine in Europe over the next decade.

Geographic profiling is a method that proved to be useful also in order to investigate the point of origin of a biological invasion. K-means clustering and Voronoi diagrams can partition a data set of geographic positions of populations invading a defined area and are, therefore, useful in cases in which an invasion had more introduction events as points of origin. One critical point of the method is to identify the right number of clusters in which to divide the starting data set formed by groups of points on a map. The Silhouette method proved to be capable of identifying the best number of subsets (clusters) of the general set of observations by providing different values for different subdivisions of the set of observations in clusters. For each cluster, the corresponding Voronoi tessellation was built on the starting map. To test the method, we did a simulation of clusters of data (points) on a map and we verified whether the proposed methods worked efficiently with the simulated data set with hundred repeats and using a varying number of clusters on the same map. The used techniques revealed to be efficient in finding the highest probability area of the map that would include the starting points for each cluster. A case study consisted in a known data set, that is, the spreading pattern of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (sea grapes), that was compatible (highest probability) with an original point of introduction in southern Italy and long distance (thousands of kilometers) secondary spreads via anthropic dispersal. The proposed techniques may also be applied to other kinds of data sets of biological data distributed on a map or in general on a geometrical surface.

In addition to the knowledge of the daily physical activity performed (PAP), the analysis of the social network perceived directly by the same young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) could provide useful information to manage their diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of a relationship between the patients’ social networks, the PAP and the metabolic control maintained in young subjects with T1DM. Interviews were conducted in 16 subjects with T1DM (males/females: 7/9), mean age 15,5±3,8 years, duration of diabetes 6,6±4,9 years, mean HbA1c (at baseline) 7,3±1,7% (year before) 7.3±1.6%, body mass index (BMI) 21,6±2,9 kg/m2 and in 12 age and BMI matched healthy control subjects. Participants were asked to fill in an egocentric social network map, which was divided into 5 areas: family, school, health care, leisure and sport activities, other. It was assigned a value ranging from 0 (none) to 5 (maximum) to define importance and frequency of the relationships reported. The PAP was evaluated by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) and Adolescents (PAQ-A). While the analysis of the PAP and of the glycemic control maintained did not show any correlation with the other parameters, the analysis of the network showed that the frequency reported on the area of leisure and sport activities was significantly lower in the patient group in comparison to controls (4,2±1,8 vs. 3,1±1,0; p Disclosure P. Francia: None. B. Piccini: None. U. Santosuosso: None. G. Iannone: None. L. Capirchio: None. A. Vittori: None. M. Gulisano: None. S. Toni: None.

Considering that the knowledge and control of the daily physical activity performed (PAP) is an important element in the management of patients with history of foot ulcers, peripheral neuropathy and/or peripheral vascular disease (at risk), the analysis of the social network map (SNM) perceived by themselves directly could also provide useful information to manage their diabetes. This study aimed to verify the possibility to evaluate the presence of a relationship between the characteristic of the SNM perceived and the PAP in addition to the metabolic control maintained in patients with longstanding diabetes mellitus at risk of foot ulcer. Interviews were conducted in 27 people: 10 patients: (males/females:6/4), mean age 56,2±16,7 years, duration of diabetes 18,3±10,3 years, mean HbA1c 8,0±1,1%, body mass index (BMI) 27,0±4,1 kg/m2, and in 17 age, sex and BMI matched nondiabetic controls. Participants were asked to fill in an egocentric SNM, which was divided into 5 areas: leisure and PAP, family, job, health care, and other. It was assigned a value ranging from 0 (none) to 5 (maximum) to define the importance and frequency of the relationships reported. The PAP was evaluated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ). In the patient group the duration of the disease was directly correlated with the health area (r = 0.83, p Disclosure P. Francia: None. A. Tedeschi: None. M. Gulisano: None. G. Iannone: None. A. Vittori: None. U. Santosuosso: None. F. Paternostro: None. R. Anichini: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Advisory Panel; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, AstraZeneca. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Merck & Co., Inc., Takeda Development Centre Europe Ltd.. Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Grünenthal Group.