38,354 research outputs found
Optimal neural feedback control applied to a problem of economic growth in freight transportation market
No full text
Life expectancy in the districts of Taranto
No full textThe "Taranto case" has aroused the scientific interest of demographers, statisticians, epidemiologists and doctors, to understand what is happening today to the health of citizens, finding excesses of mortality and morbidity in certain pathologies strictly connected to pollution, in particular in the Ionian capital and in some neighboring municipalities. We have developed abbreviated mortality tables, using a methodology essentially different from that of Istat due to the fact that we do not rework the probabilities of death at all, which remain real. This solution is valid as Taranto is a large municipality, with almost 200,000 inhabitants.Il “caso Taranto” ha suscitato l’interesse scientifico di demografi, statistici, epidemiologi e medici, per capire cosa accade oggi alla salute dei cittadini, riscontrandosi eccessi di mortalità e morbosità in determinate patologie strettamente connesse all’inquinamento, in particolare nel capoluogo jonico ed in alcuni comuni limitrofi. Abbiamo elaborato tavole di mortalità abbreviate, utilizzando una metodologia essenzialmente differente da quella Istat per il fatto che non rielaboriamo affatto le probabilità di decesso, che rimangono quelle reali. Tale soluzione risulta valida in quanto Taranto è un comune con quasi 200.000 abitanti
Optimization of an eMule-like modifier strategy
No full textOne of the main issues in peer-to-peer file-sharing services is to ensure balanced transfers of data among
peers. For instance, the popular eMule file-sharing client interface implements techniques based on a
credit system and time modifiers, in order to guarantee a fair degree of contribution/reward, e.g., to prevent
leeching. However, fixed heuristic modifiers may not be able to guarantee a fair treatment for every
peer participating in the service. This paper introduces an optimized strategy to compute modifiers in
order to promote cooperation among peers, while guaranteeing a suitable degree of fairness. Simulations
are provided to compare the proposed mechanism to the standard one adopted by the popular eMule client
interface
An approximate solution to optimal Lp state estimation problems
No full textWe consider optimal estimation problems characterized by a state vector with i) dynamics described via a differential equation with Lipschitz nonlinearities, ii) partial information provided via a Lipschitz nonlinear mapping, and iii) an Lp norm measure of the estimation error to be minimized. An approximate solution of such optimal estimation problem is searched for by restricting the optimization to parameterized nonlinear approximators such as feedforward neural networks. The parameters of a feedforward neural network are the neural weights. This approach entails a constrained nonlinear programming problem, whose constraints are given by the dynamic and measurement equations, and the conditions guaranteeing the stability of the estimation error. To optimize the parameters values of neural networks an algorithm is developed that is based on appropriate sampling of the state and error spaces. Choices of the sample points are devised based on the notion of dispersion, which allow one to obtain an approximate solution of the optimal estimation problem by a small sample complexity. © 2005 AACC
Regulatory mechanisms of circular RNAs during human mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic differentiation
No full textHuman osteogenic differentiation is a complex and well-orchestrated process which involves a plethora of molecular players and cellular processes. A growing number of studies have underlined that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important regulatory role during human osteogenic differentiation. CircRNAs are single-stranded, covalently closed non-coding RNA molecules that are acquiring increased attention as epigenetic regulators of gene expression. Given their intrinsic high conformational stability, abundance, and specificity, circRNAs can undertake various biological activities in order to regulate multiple cellular processes, including osteogenic differentiation. The most recent evidence indicates that circRNAs control human osteogenesis by preventing the inhibitory activity of miRNAs on their downstream target genes, using a competitive endogenous RNA mechanism. The aim of this review is to draw attention to the currently known regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs during human osteogenic differentiation. Specifically, we provide an understanding of recent advances in research conducted on various human mesenchymal stem cell types that underlined the importance of circRNAs in regulating osteogenesis. A comprehensive understanding of the underlying regulatory mechanisms of circRNA in osteogenesis will improve knowledge on the molecular processes of bone growth, resulting in the potential development of novel preclinical and clinical studies and the discovery of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for bone disorders
Erratum to: Effect of moderate red wine intake on cardiac prognosis after recent acute myocardial infarction of subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Diabetic Medicine, (2006), 23, 9, (974-981), 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2006.01886.x)
No full textIn an article by Marfella et al, the author name C. Saron is incorrect and should be listed as C. Sardu. Therefore the correct author list is: R. Marfella, F. Cacciapuoti, M. Siniscalchi, F. C. Sasso, F. Marchese, F. Cinone, E. Musacchio, M. A. Marfella, L. Ruggiero, G. Chiorazzo, D. Liberti, G. Chiorazzo, G. F. Nicoletti, C. Sardu, F. D'Andrea, C. Ammendola, M. Verza and L. Coppola.In an article by Marfella et al, the author name C. Saron is incorrect and should be listed as C. Sardu. Therefore the correct author list is: R. Marfella, F. Cacciapuoti, M. Siniscalchi, F. C. Sasso, F. Marchese, F. Cinone, E. Musacchio, M. A. Marfella, L. Ruggiero, G. Chiorazzo, D. Liberti, G. Chiorazzo, G. F. Nicoletti, C. Sardu, F. D'Andrea, C. Ammendola, M. Verza and L. Coppola
Distinct retinoic gene signatures discriminate Merkel cell polyomavirus-positive from -negative Merkel cell carcinoma cells
No full textLimited molecular knowledge of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV)-positive and -negative Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) subsets (MCCP/MCCN) has prevented so far the identification of the MCC origin cell type and, therefore, the development of effective therapies. The retinoic gene signature was investigated in various MCCP, MCCN, and control fibroblast/epithelial cell lines to elucidate the heterogeneous nature of MCC. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis indicated that MCCP and MCCN cells were clusterizable from each other and control cells, according to their retinoic gene signature. MCCP versus MCCN differentially expressed genes (n = 43) were identified. Protein-protein interaction network indicated SOX2, ISL1, PAX6, FGF8, ASCL1, OLIG2, SHH, and GLI1 as upregulated hub genes and JAG1 and MYC as downregulated hub genes in MCCP compared to MCCN. Numerous MCCP-associated hub genes were DNA-binding/-transcription factors involved in neurological and Merkel cell development and stemness. Enrichment analyses indicated that MCCP versus MCCN differentially expressed genes predominantly encode for to DNA-binding/-transcription factors involved in development, stemness, invasiveness, and cancer. Our findings suggest the neuroendocrine origin of MCCP, by which neuronal precursor cells could undergo an MCPyV-driven transformation. These overarching results might open the way to novel retinoid-based MCC therapies
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