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Abstract The application of social sciences has been recognized as valuable to inclusive humanitarian programming that aims to be attentive to the needs and initiatives of affected communities. However, the integration of social science-informed community engagement (CE) approaches in humanitarian action remains episodic, fragmented, and under-resourced. This research article provides insights from a study that reviewed existing and needed capacities for the systematic integration of social sciences for community engagement in humanitarian action. We examined what capacity resources exist and what resources need to be developed for strengthening social science integration into humanitarian programming for improved engagement of affected and at-risk communities in conflict and hazard contexts. A mixed method approach was used, including twenty-two key informant interviews and a focus group discussion with social scientists and humanitarian practitioners, an online survey with 42 respondents, a literature review, and a year-long monthly consultation with social scientists and humanitarian practitioners in a UNICEF-led global technical working group. Results illustrate insights on the value of the “social science lens” in humanitarian action and current usage of different social science disciplines. Challenges found include different understandings (e.g., on standardization), languages and methods used by practitioners and social scientists, and how to integrate the seemingly “slow” processes of social sciences to fit emergency response. Institutional barriers to mainstream community-centered humanitarian action facilitated by the social sciences include top-down decision-making and resourcing, lack of localization, and many siloed, dispersed, and episodic efforts.

Abstract Three-dimensional topological insulators can be described by an effective field theory involving two ‘hydrodynamic’ Abelian gauge fields. The action contains a bulk topological BF term and a surface term, called loop model. This describes the massless 2+1 dimensional excitations and provides them with a semiclassical, yet non-trivial conformal invariant dynamics. Given that topological insulators are originally fermionic, this physical setting is ideal for realizing the bosonization of massless fermions in terms of gauge fields. Building on earlier analyses of the loop model, we find that fermions belong to the solitonic spectrum and can be described by Wilson lines, through the generalization of 1+1 dimensional vertex operators. Their correlation functions agree with conformal invariance. The bosonic loop model is then mapped into a fermionic theory by using the general construction of fermionic topological phases described in the literature. It requires the identification of the characteristic one-form ℤ2 symmetry of the bosonic theory and its gauging, which originates the fermion number (−1) F , the spin sectors and the time reversal symmetry obeying T $$ \mathcal{T} $$ 2 = (−1) F . These results are detailed for the effective action and the partition function on the geometry S 2 × S 1.

Objectives To analyse the response to immunosuppressants (IS) in extrarenal flares of SLE to determine the most appropriate timing during follow-up for a change in therapeutic strategy.Methods Observational cohort study including a total of 81 patients with SLE with extrarenal flares requiring a change in IS over the period 2015–2022. Baseline clinical variables were described, and follow-up data at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months time-points were collected.Results Among patients flaring that achieved lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS5) at 12 months of follow-up, we identified two subgroups (‘late responders’ and ‘early responders’), which showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics, baseline clinical data, cumulative dosage of glucocorticoids or type of IS. Cox model analysis revealed a significant association of a change in IS (p=0.019) and achieving LLDAS5. Contingency table analysis indicated a significant relationship (p=0.004) between IS change at 6 months and individuals achieving LLDAS5 and remission at 12 months.Conclusions Our findings suggest that clinical improvement of extrarenal flares typically occurs within 6 months of initiating IS. This timeframe could represent an appropriate timing to evaluate the response in a treat-to-target approach in SLE.

IntroductionLong survivors after childhood cancer are increasing thanks to oncological improvements. Their quality of life and fertility-sparing should be considered in the early phases of each oncological pathway. Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue removed before starting gonadotoxic therapies is the only fertility sparing procedure available for prepubertal children affected by cancer and it does not affect the timing of the start of the treatment.Materials and methodsThe present study shows the surgical and clinical outcomes following laparoscopic ovarian tissue collection (LOTC) for a total of 311 patients aged between 0 and 17 years old from four different European Centers.ResultsOnly two major complications were reported according to the Clavien Dindo classification (0.6%).DiscussionLOTC can be considered a safe procedure.

Although in the Maghreb, and more broadly in Africa, infertility is a source of stigmatisation and social and individual suffering, many countries on the continent still lack reproductive health clinics and health professionals trained in reproductive medicine. This is due to the high cost of biomedical technologies, the lack of specialised training and the absence of national and international policies to support infertile couples in Africa. In recent years, Tunisia has emerged as a regional hub for reproductive care in the Maghreb, and more broadly in French-speaking Africa. Private IVF clinics occupy a strategic commercial position in the region, giving rise to a plurality of new reproductive mobilities. The researchers collected the stories of infertile couples crossing paths in a private fertility clinic in Tunis. In this article, we will present the stories of couples from neighbouring countries to Tunisia (Libya, Algeria), sub-Saharan Africa as well as Tunisians residing abroad (TRA) from different countries of emigration (Europe, Gulf Countries). The observations carried out within the fertility clinic, the exchanges with the medical staff as well as with the management and communication teams provide an understanding of these reproductive itineraries to Tunisia. In this article, we examine the problem of infertility in the Maghreb, the evolution of private IVF clinics in Tunisia and the dimension of intimacy through the stakes, stigmas and gendered norms that characterise medical practices in this field. In particular, our research demonstrates the persistence of certain norms that are part of an older gender regime in which women are solely responsible for infertility. We also look at the reproscapes in the Maghreb, focusing on reproductive itineraries and social conditions of the infertile couples we met, including the dematerialised spaces (internet) they resort to. In the field of health in general, as in that of infertility in particular, virtual spaces and the existence of these online communities have come to play a prominent role. They preserve intimacy and anonymity allowing Internet users affected by infertility to share their experiences and express their suffering without fear of being stigmatised. The over-representation of women on these digital platforms is indicative of gender norms that continue to dominate procreation in Maghreb countries and beyond. Articulated by the infertile North African and West African couples encountered, the transnational reproductive landscapes analysed in the paper offer an original perspective to approach the intimate in the Maghreb. In the context of ARTs, intimacy is defined on the one hand through relationships within the couple, relationships with family and loved ones; and on the other hand, in the therapeutic relationship with medical staff. The reproductive routes taken, invite us to decentralise the gaze and focus on other types of circulation from the Maghreb to the southern shore of the Sahara and even beyond (European and Gulf countries where the TRA have emigrated); to spatialise the narratives of couples in motion while grasping the globalised social transformations they characterise (biomobility, bioeconomies, biotechnologies); and to understand the sensitive nature of these narratives, which carry a very strong emotional charge. The materiality of the reproductive routes deployed (medical structures, technologies, means of transport and communication, etc.) is intertwined with other immaterial aspects intimately linked to the affective dimension behind the desire to procreate and the moral and social suffering in the face of its impossibility. The social stigma linked to the use of ARTs causes the invisibilisation of these transnational trajectories. In conclusion, our research opens up paths of analysis concerning new transnational mobilities in reproductive health as well as their moral, social, familial and emotional implications.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration on activation and apoptosis of primordial follicles. There was no difference in the total number of follicles as well as in the different types of follicles. Furthermore, the LPS challenge didn’t modulate the expression of genes related with ovarian reserve (HAM), oocyte survival (Survivin), activation rate (Pten, KIT, KITL1, KITL2, AKT1, SIRT1), and follicular abnormalities. Therefore, the LPS exposure with 24h interval had no effect on activation rate and primordial follicles abnormalities, and also had no effect on expression of anti-apoptotic genes and genes related with ovarian reserve, oocyte survival, activation rate, and primordial follicles abnormalities.

Testicular Dirofilaria repens infection was identified and confirmed by sequence analysis in a child in northeastern Italy. Because human dirofilariasis is emerging in southern and eastern Europe, this parasitic infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of scrotal swelling in disease-endemic countries to avoid unnecessary interventions, such as orchiectomy.

Di recente alcuni studiosi hanno autorevolmente sostenuto l'idea che Men. 97e2-98b5 sia una forte critica a qualsiasi prospettiva epistemologica basata su un modello additivo della conoscenza, ossia su un modello in cui la conoscenza è concepita come una forma di opinione con l'aggiunta di qualcos'altro. In questo articolo provo a dimostrare che lo scopo di Platone non sta nel criticare questo modello di conoscenza ma di porre, sotto forma di ipotesi da verificare in altri testi, la questione principale della sua epistemologia: il logos, o meglio l'aitias logismos, è in grado di legare insieme le opinioni così saldamente da trasformarle in quel tipo di conoscenza infallibile che è l'episteme? Per giustificare questa interpretazione di Men. 97e2-98b5, intendo fornire una nuova lettura del rapporto che intercorre tra questo brano del dialogo e alcuni temi esposti nelle sezioni precedenti del testo quali l'esperimento maieutico a cui Socrate sottopone lo schiavo di Menone, la dottrina della reminiscenza e il metodo per ipotesi.

PurposeTo describe our experience with the use of a novel iodized Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer liquid agent (Easyx) in type II endoleak treatment with translumbar approach.MethodsOur case series is a retrospective review of patients with type II endoleak (T2E) treated with Easyx from December 2017 to December 2020. Indication for treatment was a persistent T2E with an increasing aneurysm sac ≥5 mm on computed tomography angiography (CTA) over a 6-month interval. Technical success was defined as the embolization of the endoleak nidus with reduction or elimination of the T2E on sequent CTA evaluation. Clinical success was defined as an unchanged or decreased aneurysm sac on follow-up CTA. Secondary endpoints included the presence of artifacts in the postprocedural cross-sectional tomographic imaging and post and intraprocedural complications.ResultsTen patients were included in our retrospective analysis. All T2E were successfully embolized. Clinical success was achieved in 9 out of 10 patients (90%). The mean follow-up was 14 3–20 months. No beam hardening artifact was observed in follow-up CT providing unaltered imaging.ConclusionEasyx is a novel liquid embolic agent with lava-like characteristics and unaltered visibility on subsequent CT examinations. In our initial experience, Easyx showed to have all the efficacy requisites to be an embolization agent for type II EL management. Its efficacy, however, should be evaluated in more extensive studies and eventually compared with other agents.

Background: Foreign body ingestion (FBI) represents the most common cause of emergent gastrointestinal endoscopy in children. FBI’s management can be quite challenging for physicians because of the variability of the clinical presentation, and the decision tree becomes even more intricate because of patient-specific variables that must be considered in the pediatric age range (e.g., age of patients and neuropsychiatric disorders) in addition to the mere characteristics of the foreign body. We present an application for smartphones designed for pediatricians and pediatric surgeons based on the latest guidelines from the official pediatric societies. The app aims to help physicians manage FBI quickly and properly in children. Materials and methods: The latest pediatric FBI management guidelines were reviewed and summarized. The flow chart we obtained guided the development of a smartphone application. A questionnaire was administered to all pediatric surgeon trainees at our institute to test the feasibility and helpfulness of the application. Results: An app for smartphones was obtained and shared for free on the Google Play Store and Apple Store. The app guides the physician step by step in the diagnostic process, analyzing all patient- and foreign body-specific characteristics. The app consultation ends with a suggestion of the most proper decision to make in terms of further radiological investigations and the indication and timing of endoscopy. A questionnaire administered to trainees proved the app to be useful and easy to use. Conclusion: We developed an app able to help pediatricians and pediatric surgeons manage FBI in children, providing standardized and updated recommendations in a smart and easily available way.

New diagnostic methods have been developed for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with the primary purpose of intercepting the transition-phase (mild cognitive impairment, MCI) between normal aging and dementia. We aimed to explore whether the five-word test (FWT) and the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) are predictive for the early diagnosis of MCI due to AD (AD-MCI). We computed ROC analyses to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of MMSE and FWT in predicting abnormal CSF (t-Tau, p-Tau181, Aβ1–42) and amyloid-PET biomarkers. AD-MCI patients showed lower MMSE and FWT scores (all p < 0.001) than non-AD-MCI. The best predictor of amyloid plaques’ presence at amyloid-PET imaging was the encoding sub-score of the FWT (AUC = 0.84). Both FWT and MMSE had low/moderate accuracy for the detection of pathological CSF Aβ42, t-Tau and p-Tau181 values, with higher accuracy for the t-Tau/Aβ1–42 ratio. In conclusion, the FWT, as a single-domain cognitive screening test, seems to be prompt and moderately accurate tool for the identification of an underlying AD neuropathological process in patients with MCI, supporting the importance of associating biomarkers evaluation in the work-up of patients with dementing neurodegenerative disorders.

Although abortion in Tunisia has been legal for 50 years and offered for free in government facilities, the revolution of 2011 and the following democratization process have paradoxically put into question the access to this service. The Islamists’ victory and the conservative turn of local society in the 2000s have led to a step backwards in the domain of women’s rights including sexual and reproductive rights. Together with Turkey, Tunisia is the only Islamic-majority country that authorizes abortion for social reasons.

Abstract Background The minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in term of robot-assisted surgery changed in a dramatic way the surgical approach either in adults or children. For many specialties (urology, gynecology, general surgery) robotic surgery rapidly became the gold standard for some procedures, while the experience in pediatric population is not wide for some reasons. The aim of this study is to retrospective analyze trends of application of robotic surgery in pediatric patients across the country, focusing on indications, limitations, development, and training acquired by national experience and in comparison to the literature. Methods We made a retrospective multicenter study on behalf of Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery. We performed a census among all pediatric surgery units in the country to enroll those performing robotic surgery on children between 2013 and 2019. Results We enrolled 7 pediatric surgery referral Centers (Ancona, Bologna, Brescia, Genova, Pavia, Pescara, Siena). A total of 303 patients were included in the study, 164 males (54%) and 139 females (46%). The most commonly performed interventions for each anatomic area were respectively atypical pulmonary resection (38%), pyeloplasty (49%), and fundoplication (30%). Conclusions Since its first application in Italy, about 10 years ago, several considerations were made about application and feasibility of robotics in children.

Congenital coronary artery anomalies (CCAA) represent one of the most challenging conditions as their clinical presentation may range from sudden cardiac death to a complete subclinical form. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of cardiac CT (CCT) evaluation in patients with CCAA, focusing on anomalies of origin. The present is a retrospective analysis of a prospective clinical registry including a consecutive cohort of patients who underwent clinically indicated CCT from January 2007 to October 2015 for suspected but unknown coronary artery disease (CAD) and were diagnosed for having a congenital coronary abnormality compared to a control group matched for age, sex and segment stenosis score (SSS). Dedicated analysis of all CCT was performed for the present study and only coronary anomalies of origin were considered and included in the study. Two different composite end-points were identified for the present analysis: major cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause of death. Among the 81 patients with CCAAs enrolled the most frequent anomaly was left main artery absence, which was identified in 41 individuals (50.6%). Forty-five subjects (55.5%) have an anomalous origin of the coronary artery from a different sinus of Valsalva and 45 subjects had also an anomalous course with the retro-aortic being the most common (32%). Eleven participants (13.6%) displayed also an intramural segment, while 10 (10.3%) had a slit-like ostial morphology. At multivariate analysis CT identification of ARCA, anomalous inter-arterial course and abnormal ostial morphology were significantly associated with MACE even when adjusted for age and SSS, without any differences in all-cause mortality between the two groups (6.2% vs 2.4% p ​= ​0.2478). The result of the present study is that CCT can be successfully used to define the anatomy and features of CAA. It suggested that in middle-aged patients, the identification of high risk characteristics at CT may have a prognostic value in term of cardiovascular events occurrence at follow-up even if the rate of events strictly linked to CCAA is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of Italian soldiers in the Spanish army has been a constant since the late Middle Ages and certainly reached its peak during the Habsburg period. However, this presence was still important in the first half of the 18th century, when Italians were well represented at court and in the Bourbon armed forces. But from the 1950s onwards, the system of recruitment by means of allowances was in irreparable trouble and in the following years it became extremely complicated to supply the various units with men in an adequate manner. This problem led to the almost total disappearance of the regiments in service at the end of the century, and thus of a system of relations and links between the court and the Italian states that had remained strong throughout the century. The present work attempts to cover the crisis and the end of a model, represented by the system of raising troops through subsidized contracts, trying to analyze the motivations of this deep crisis.

BackgroundThe semiology and determinants of apathy are largely unknown across amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD), due to both motor and non-motor confounders. This study thus aimed at (1) profiling apathy in ALS, PD, and HD and (2) exploring its clinical determinants.MaterialsConsecutive ALS (N = 99), PD (N = 73), and HD (N = 25) patients underwent a motor-free assessment of apathy (Dimensional Apathy Scale, DAS), global cognition, anxiety and depression. Function was assessed through disease-specific scales. The DAS was also completed by N = 101 healthy controls (HCs). Between-group comparisons on DAS scores were implemented by covarying for all applicable confounders. Predictive models on DAS scores were built through multiple, stepwise regressions.ResultsParkinson’s disease and HD, but not ALS, patients were more apathetic than HCs—with HD patients also selectively showing lower initiation and poorer goal-directed planning than HCs. Higher apathetic features were detected in PD and HD as compared to ALS. Education was a protective factor against apathy in ALS. Anxiety was a risk factor for global apathy in ALS, HD, and to a lesser extent, in PD, whereas, protective only toward affective disintegration in PD and ALS. Cognitive inefficiency was a risk factor toward apathy in both PD and ALS. Depression was a risk factor for executive-related apathy in PD.DiscussionThis study provides unprecedented insights into the heterogeneous semiology and determinants of apathy across ALS, PD, and HD via the DAS, in turn informing clinical practice and research.

BackgroundThis study aimed at assessing the diagnostic properties of the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) as to its capability to (1) discriminate healthy controls (HCs) from patients with Huntington’s disease (HD) and (2) identify cognitive impairment in this population.MaterialsThirty-eight consecutive HD patients were compared to 73 HCs on the FAB. Patients further underwent the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analyses were run to assess both intrinsic—i.e., sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp), and post-test diagnostics, positive and negative predictive values (PPV; NPV) and likelihood ratios (LR+; LR–), of the FAB both in a case–control setting and to identify, within the patient cohort, cognitive impairment (operationalized as a below-cut-off MoCA score). In patients, its diagnostic accuracy was also compared to that of the cognitive section of the UHDRS (UHDRS-II).ResultsThe FAB and UHDRS-II were completed by 100 and 89.5% of patients, respectively. The FAB showed optimal case–control discrimination accuracy (AUC = 0.86–0.88) and diagnostic properties (Se = 0.68–0.74; Sp = 0.88–0.9; PPV = 0.74–0.8; NPV = 0.84–0.87; LR+ = 5.6–7.68; LR– = 0.36–0.29), performing even better (AUC = 0.9–0.91) at identifying cognitive impairment among patients (Se = 0.73–1; Sp = 0.86–0.71; PPV = 0.79–0.71; NPV = 0.82–1; LR+ =5.13–3.5; LR– = 0.31–0) and comparably to the UHDRS-II (89% vs. 85% of accuracy, respectively; p = 0.46).DiscussionIn HD patients, the FAB is highly feasible for cognitive screening aims, being also featured by optimal intrinsic/post-test diagnostics within both case-control and case-finding settings.

ObjectiveTo report the 20-year experience in ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) and ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) of the Bologna clinical center (Bologna, Italy).DesignRetrospective cohort study.Patients1026 pediatrics and women aged between 2 and 38 years who underwent OTC and OTT between January 2002 to January 2022.ResultsOf the 1026 patients, 238 (22.8%) were pediatrics (≤ 17 years, Group 1) and 788 (77.2%) were adult women (range 18-38 years, Group 2). In Group 1, 184 (77.3%) patients had malignant diseases and 54 (22.7%) had non-malignant diseases. In Group 2, 746 (94.7%) patients had malignant diseases and 42 (5.3%) had non-malignant diseases. No real complications were observed during surgery. In all the samples analyzed most of the follicles were in the resting stage, while only a few follicles were growing. In both fresh and thawed samples, follicular density was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.01). Regardless of age, good preservation of follicles and stroma was observed in fresh and thawed ovarian tissue by histological and immunohistochemical analyses (estrogen and progesterone receptors; Ki67 and Bcl2 markers; TUNEL). To date, out of 1026 total women, 812 (79.1%) had their tissue stored. Sixty-eight (6.6%) patients died from their primary disease. Twenty-four (2.3%) women performed 33 OTTs between December 2011 and January 2022. Restoration of menstruation was observed in 15 out of 17 menopausal women. Six pregnancies were achieved, two hesitated in abortion and four in the birth of healthy babies.ConclusionOTC is the only fertility preservation technique applicable in pre-pubertal/pediatrics and in adult patients when stimulation for oocytes/embryos cryopreservation is not possible. The reported data can help future patients and physicians in their discussions and decisions about the need and possibilities of preserving ovarian function.

The author aims to show: (a) that the equality that characterizes ideal democracy (the “first” democracy) aims to ensure equal protection for the minority of the rich and the majority of the poor; (b) that equality thus understood is the fundamental nomos that every democratic regime must respect if it does not want to risk ruin; (c) that “extreme” democracy, led by demagogues, does not give rise to institutional changes but introduces, in particular through the uncontrolled use of decrees of general content, a political practice that finds its historical foundation in the Athens of the fourth century B. C.

Introduction Surgical management of jejuno-ileal atresia/stenosis (JIA) is shifting to a minimally invasive approach. Our purpose is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted surgery (LAS) in JIA by comparing outcomes with a control group of open surgery (OS). Methods A retrospective review of JIA cases was performed. Demographic, surgical, and outcomes data were extracted. LAS cases were compared with OS. Fisher's exact-test for qualitative and Mann-Whitney-test for quantitative values were used. p values

Delayed Splenic Rupture (DSR) is a rare but well-known manifestation of Blunt Splenic Injury (BSI), which most commonly occurs following a car accident, a fall from a great height, or a direct blow to the left thorax or abdomen. If the history of trauma is remote or unknown, the diagnosis can be difficult or missed, and a high index of suspicion is not warranted. Regardless of the time and mechanism of the inciting event, DSR should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an acute surgical abdomen. We present a case of DSR in an 81-year-old woman caused by a remote minor blunt abdominal trauma four weeks prior to her admission to our emergency department for acute abdominal pain and hemorrhagic shock (ATLS CLASS III). Starting with this case report, we conducted a literature review on the subject in order to raise awareness, knowledge, and understanding of DSR among emergency clinicians.

Abstract The description of chiral quantum incompressible fluids by the W ∞ symmetry can be extended from the edge, where it encompasses the conformal field theory approach, to the non-conformal bulk. The two regimes are characterized by excitations with different sizes, energies and momenta within the disk geometry. In particular, the bulk quantities have a finite limit for large droplets. We obtain analytic results for the radial shape of excitations, the edge reconstruction phenomenon and the energy spectrum of density fluctuations in Laughlin states.

Competitions involving sled dogs are rapidly growing and body temperature assessment could represent a prompt and non-invasive method of screening for potential pathological conditions during or after activity. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate if thermography is able to monitor the pre- and post-competition ocular and superficial body temperature variations during a sled dog competition. It subsequently compared the data relating to the ocular temperatures in different race types: mid-distance (30 km) and sprint (≤16 km). Results showed a statistically significant increase in post-competition ocular temperature of both eyes, regardless of the length of the race. The relative increase in the temperatures of the other body surfaces was lower than the expected values, probably due to the influence of environmental and subjective factors such as the type of coat of the Siberian Husky or subcutaneous fat. Infrared thermography has therefore proved to be useful method in sled dog competition conditions for screening superficial temperature variations, as the investigation is normally conducted in an external environment and often in demanding work conditions.

This article presents the design and the experimental tests of a bioinspired robot mimicking the cownose ray. These fish swim by moving their large and flat pectoral fins, creating a wave that pushes backward the surrounding water so that the fish is propelled forward due to momentum conservation. The robot inspired by these animals has a rigid central body, housing motors, batteries, and electronics, and flexible pectoral fins made of silicone rubber. Each of them is actuated by a servomotor driving a link inside the leading edge, and the traveling wave is reproduced thanks to the flexibility of the fin itself. In addition to the pectoral fins, two small rigid caudal fins are present to improve the robot’s maneuverability. The robot has been designed, built, and tested underwater, and the experiments have shown that the locomotion principle is valid and that the robot is able to swim forward, perform left and right turns, and do floating or diving maneuvers.