239700 research outputs found
Sort by
Oxylipins as canine sepsis indicators in vivo and in ex vivo skin organ culture model
No full textSepsis, a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulated immune response to infection, remains a significant cause of mortality in both humans and veterinary patients. This study explores oxylipins as potential indicators of sepsis in dogs through in vivo plasma analysis and an ex vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated skin organ culture model. By employing a robust analytical platform, 52 oxylipins and 4 polyunsaturated fatty acids were profiled in plasma and skin cultures. Results revealed distinct biochemical and morphological changes, with LPS triggering capillary vasodilation and time-dependent increases in pro-inflammatory mediators such as PGE2 and isoprostanes. Importantly, PGE2 exhibited consistent trends across both models, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic biomarker. This study underscores the utility of the skin organ culture model in mimicking early inflammatory events, offering novel insights into oxylipin dynamics during sepsis and their implications for disease resolution
Coherent FDA Radar: Transmitter and Receiver Design and Analysis
No full textThe combination of frequency diverse array (FDA) radar technology with multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) radar architecture and waveform diversity techniques potentially promises a high integration gain with respect to conventional phased-array (PA) radars. In this article, we propose an approach to the design of the transmitter and receiver of a coherent FDA (C-FDA) radar that enables it to perform the demodulation with spectral overlapping due to the small frequency offsets. To this purpose, we derive the generalized space-time-range signal model and prove that the proposed C-FDA radar has a higher coherent array gain than a PA radar, and at the same time, it effectively resolves the secondary range-ambiguous problem in FDA-MIMO radar, allowing for mainlobe interference suppression and range-ambiguous clutter suppression. Numerical results prove the effectiveness of the proposed C-FDA radar in terms of antiinterference and anticlutter capabilities over conventional radars
Sepsis-Induced Coagulopathy and Hypoalbuminemia: Endothelial Damage as Common Pathway and Clinical Implications on Mortality and Transfusion Risk
No full textBackground: Sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) and hypoalbuminemia represent distinct yet interrelated manifestations of endothelial dysfunction in sepsis. While both have been individually associated with increased mortality, their combined prognostic value remains unexplored. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the SIC score and serum albumin levels and to evaluate their integrated role in predicting mortality and bleeding risks in septic patients. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study enrolling adult patients with community-acquired sepsis admitted to an Intermediate Medical Care Unit between January 2023 and June 2024. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome was the occurrence of ISTH-defined major bleeding. Multivariable logistic regression and Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI) analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive value of albumin when added to the SIC score. Results: A total of 413 patients were enrolled; 18.4% had a positive SIC score. The serum albumin and SIC score were inversely correlated (r = −0.189, p < 0.001). Both variables were independently associated with 30-day mortality and major bleeding. The addition of albumin significantly improved the predictive performance of the SIC score (NRI = 0.276 for mortality; NRI = 0.268 for bleeding; both p = 0.003). The cluster analysis identified distinct phenotypes based on albumin and SIC profiles, with differing clinical trajectories and transfusion needs. Conclusions: The combined assessment of the SIC score and serum albumin enhances early risk stratification in sepsis. This dual-parameter approach may support more accurate prognostication and individualized management in septic patients
OTFS for Automotive Radars: Waveform Optimization and Ambiguity Function Analysis
No full textAutomotive radar sensors are vital for enhancing vehicle safety and autonomy, enabling functionalities such as adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance. The performance of these radar systems is highly dependent on the selected waveform. There are several waveform options for automotive radars, including Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW), Phase Modulated Continuous Wave (PMCW), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), and Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS). Each offers unique benefits and tradeoffs concerning range resolution, Doppler resolution, resistance to multipath fading, and complexity. Notably, OTFS, as a promising technique in Integrated Sensing And Communication (ISAC), outperforms OFDM in high-mobility scenarios for communication systems. In this paper, we design a phase-perturbation matrix using the Coordinate Descent (CD) framework, to optimize the range Integrated Side-lobe Level (ISL) of OTFS waveform in automotive radar applications. We also examine the Ambiguity Function (AF) characteristics of OTFS compared to OFDM, PMCW, and FMCW. The simulation results demonstrate an improvement in the ISL values of the designed OTFS waveforms
Effectiveness of Targeted Advisory Interventions in Enhancing Welfare on Dairy Farms
No full textAnimal welfare assessments have raised farmers’ awareness of their management practices, contributing to measurable improvements. However, these protocols often highlight critical points without providing clear guidance on the prioritization of corrective actions. To address this gap, qualified advisory support may play a pivotal role in translating assessments into effective and sustainable interventions. This study evaluates the impact of direct and continuous expert support on improving animal welfare in dairy farms. Data were collected from 21 dairy farms in southeastern Tuscany (Italy) using the Classyfarm (CReNBA) protocol. Each farm underwent two assessments at a three-month interval (T0 and T1), during which tailored support was provided to address specific criticalities. At T0, over 60% of the farms obtained only marginally acceptable welfare scores (mean 67.48 ± 4.75), with major deficiencies in farm management practices, particularly regarding hygiene and space management. At T1, all farms showed substantial improvements, with an average increase of 22% in total welfare scores (mean 82.05 ± 5.71) and a mean of nine improved parameters per farm. These findings underscore the effectiveness of structured, continuous consultancy in not only resolving critical issues but also in fostering more informed, proactive, and sustainable farm management. The direct involvement of experts appears to be a key driver in enhancing both animal welfare and operational outcomes in dairy farming
Vestiti di fede: ritratti e immagini confraternali/ Dressed in Faith: Fraternal Portraits and Images
No full textIl contributo analizza numerosi documenti figurativi prodotti tra XIV e XVII secolo in cui la presenza di confratelli e consorelle consente ampie riflessioni storiografiche sul profondo significato spirituale e culturale della vest
L’onomastique à l’épreuve de l’analyse du discours
No full textOnomastics through the Lens of Discourse AnalysisIn this study, we will attempt to show that the Proper Name category, linguisti-cally marginalized in linguistic studies in general and discourse analysis studies in particular, can constitute a fruitful interpretative key of the utterance in context. Indeed, contrary to its alleged ‘semantic opacity’, its presence triggers enunciative effects, provokes a compulsive search for meaning uncovered by various interpretants (in the sense of Rastier 1996), or can even lead to playful deconstructions of meaning. Whether in literary texts or in ‘ordinary’ texts (for example, brand names), this linguistic unit constitutes a prism through which unsuspected meanings are refracted
Valuable Prognostic Role of Disability, Pain, Anxiety, and Depression Scales in Instrumented Lumbar Spine Surgery for Degenerative Pathology: The SAP-LD Study
No full textBackground: Degenerative lumbar spine disease is a prevalent cause of chronic low back pain that significantly impairs daily function and quality of life. While conservative management is the first line of treatment, many patients ultimately require instrumented lumbar spine surgery. However, postoperative outcomes vary considerably, with emerging evidence suggesting that preoperative psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing may influence recovery. The SAP-LD (Scale for Anxiety and Pain in Lumbar Degeneration) study was designed to assess the prognostic role of these psychological and physical parameters in surgical outcomes. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 70 adult patients with degenerative lumbar spine pathology scheduled for instrumented surgical treatment at the University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia between March and December 2024. Preoperative assessments included demographic, clinical, and radiologic data along with validated scales: the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Follow-up evaluations were performed at 45 days and at 6 months, and statistical analyses were conducted using correlation tests, ANOVA, and regression modeling. Results: The demographic analysis of the 70 enrolled patients shows a balanced gender distribution (38 females, 34 males) with a mean age of 61 years (range 23–81). The educational level distribution indicates that the majority of patients (44.29%) have a secondary education level, while 35.71% have a tertiary education level. Regarding employment status, 50% of the patients are retired or not working. Patients with clinically significant anxiety and/or depression showed higher levels of perceived pain, pain catastrophizing, and disability at baseline. These patients reported significantly worse scores on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) demonstrates a clinically significant improvement (reduction) in disability between the preoperative period (t0) and the 45-day follow-up (t2), with the median decreasing from 39.00 to 13.00. However, there is a partial regression at the 6-month follow-up (t3), with the median increasing to 27.00. For the SF-36 Health Survey, the General Health subscale shows an improvement between t0 and t2 (median increasing from 55.00 to 60.00), followed by a slight decrease at t3 (median 55.00). Similar patterns are observed in most other subscales, with initial improvement followed by partial regression. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) shows a substantial reduction in catastrophizing between t0 and t2 (median decreasing from 16.00 to 3.00), followed by an increase at t3 (median 11.00), though still below baseline levels. Pain intensity as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) shows a significant reduction at t2 (median decreasing from 5.00 to 3.00), but increases again at t3 (median 6.00), even exceeding the preoperative level. For the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), no significant differences were observed across time points, with values indicating mild symptoms throughout the study period. Correlation analyses confirmed that higher preoperative anxiety and depression scores were predictive of poorer postoperative outcomes. Specifically, higher HADS scores at baseline are associated with higher ODI scores (increased disability) at all time points (p = 0.002), higher VAS scores (increased pain) at all time points (p = 0.015), and lower scores on SF-36 subscales, particularly Emotional Well-being (p = 0.00023) and Social Functioning (p = 0.002). Higher PCS scores at baseline are associated with higher ODI scores at all time points (p = 0.001), higher VAS scores at all time points (p = 0.008), and lower scores on SF-36 subscales, particularly Pain (p = 0.00023) and Physical Functioning (p = 0.04254). The mixed linear models analysis confirms these findings, showing that the ODI score decreases significantly between t0 and t2 (p = 0.00023) and increases between t2 and t3, though this increase is not statistically significant (p = 0.079). For VAS scores, there is a significant decrease between t0 and t2 (p = 0.00023) and a significant increase between t2 and t3 (p = 0.04254). Patients with elevated preoperative HADS scores tended to have slower recovery trajectories and reported lower satisfaction levels. These findings reinforce the prognostic value of psychological assessments in spine surgery and suggest that targeted psychological interventions could improve patient outcomes. Conclusions: By identifying psychological predictors of postoperative recovery, this study underscores the importance of integrating preoperative psychological screening into routine clinical practice. The results suggest that a multidisciplinary approach, including both surgical and psychological care, could enhance long-term functional outcomes and quality of life for patients undergoing instrumented lumbar spine surgery
Comparing a cardiac sympathetic activity index with pre-ejection period in time series
No full textOver the last decade, cardiology research has yielded a Sympathetic Activity Index (SAI) that captures the non-linear response patterns of the sympathetic nervous system. We investigated this chronotropic index alongside pre-ejection period (PEP), an inotropic index. While SAI has been validated in physiology, cardiology, and biomedical engineering research, this study introduces SAI to biopsychology. SAI is calculated exclusively from ECG, while PEP requires both ECG and impedance cardiography (ICG) as inputs. An average of 1468 time series observations were analysed per participant per sympathetic index (SAI, PEP) across 17 participants (13 female). The mean SAI-PEP correlation increased significantly from baseline to stimulus (rB->S(16) = .22, p = 0.042), and then dropped from stimulus to recovery, back to near baseline levels (rS->R(16) = -.21, p = 0.047). Ideographic patterns emerged, although overall average PEP-SAI correlations were lower than expected, as the procedure did not include a physical stressor. Participants with the strongest positive SAI-PEP correlations (mean r(1565) = .579, p < 0.001) had a matching pattern of psychological distress, as measured by Subjective Units of Distress Scale time series. When psychological distress patterns diverged from both SNS indices, SAI and PEP also diverged from each other. Results suggest that cardiac rate (SAI) and contractility (PEP) may reflect similar temporal dynamics when psychological and physiological stress patterns are aligned. PEP's lability in time series was over 10 times higher than that for SAI. While theoretical and methodological advantages are associated with SAI, further research is needed to comprehensively assess it as a cardiac sympathetic index