73 research outputs found
La complessità dell’esperienza depressiva nell’anziano: diagnosi e terapia, una chimera?
No full textNel contesto generale delle peculiarità del paziente geriatrico si sono delineati i possibili elementi distintivi del disturbo depressivo dell’anziano.
Si sono identificate varie componenti da considerare sia nell’approccio diagnostico che in quello terapeutico: la complessità, la comorbilità psichiatrica e la comorbosita somatica, la fragilità nell’equilibrio comportamento/ambiente, infine la necessita del coinvolgimento del caregiver che può essere non solo fonte di cura per il malato, ma anche oggetto di sostegno, in associazione al malato. Si sono riassunti sia gli elementi conoscitivi legati alla EBM che alcuni elementi “narrativi” in tema sia di diagnosi che di trattament
A Low-Cost Monitoring System and Operating Database for Quality Control in Small Food Processing Industry
No full textThe use of completely automated systems for collecting sensor data with the aim of monitoring and controlling the quality of small-scale food processes is not widespread. Small and micro-enterprises usually do not carry out their own precompetitive research or prototype development as regards to automation technologies. This study proposes a web-based, low-cost monitoring and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system whose kernel is available for free, as a possible solution that could be adopted by these food producers. It is mainly based on open SW/HW so as its configuration is adaptable to the application and type of plant. It presents a modular architecture and its main functionalities encompass the acquisition, management, aggregation and visualization of process data, providing an operating database. It also provides food tracking and process quality control: The time series are browsable due to QR-Code generation and different early warning detection strategies are implemented. A tool for solving migration problems based on Fick’s equation is offered as a packaging decision support system
Integrazione tra psichiatria adulti e psicogeriatria: non è un paese per vecchi?
No full textcome e perchè sia possibile il dialogo tra psichiatri e geriatri nella gestione clinica di situazioni di confin
Subject-Independent Frameworks for Robotic Devices: Applying Robot Learning to EMG Signals
No full textThe capability of having human and robots cooperating together has increased the interest in the control of robotic devices by means of physiological human signals. In order to achieve this goal it is crucial to be able to catch the human intention of movement and to translate it in a coherent robot action. Up to now, the classical approach when considering physiological signals, and in particular EMG signals, is to focus on the specific subject performing the task since the great complexity of these signals.
This thesis aims to expand the state of the art by proposing a general subject-independent framework, able to extract the common constraints of human movement by looking at several demonstration by many different subjects. The variability introduced in the system by multiple demonstrations from many different subjects allows the construction of a robust model of human movement, able to face small variations and signal deterioration. Furthermore, the obtained framework could be used by any subject with no need for long training sessions.
The signals undergo to an accurate preprocessing phase, in order to remove noise and artefacts. Following this procedure, we are able to extract significant information to be used in online processes. The human movement can be estimated by using well-established statistical methods in Robot Programming by Demonstration applications, in particular the input can be modelled by using a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). The performed movement can be continuously estimated with a Gaussian Mixture Regression (GMR) technique, or it can be identified among a set of possible movements with a Gaussian Mixture Classification (GMC) approach. We improved the results by incorporating some previous information in the model, in order to enriching the knowledge of the system. In particular we considered the hierarchical information provided by a quantitative taxonomy of hand grasps. Thus, we developed the first quantitative taxonomy of hand grasps considering both muscular and kinematic information from 40 subjects. The results proved the feasibility of a subject-independent framework, even by considering physiological signals, like EMG, from a wide number of participants.
The proposed solution has been used in two different kinds of applications: (I) for the control of prosthesis devices, and (II) in an Industry 4.0 facility, in order to allow human and robot to work alongside or to cooperate. Indeed, a crucial aspect for making human and robots working together is their mutual knowledge and anticipation of other’s task, and physiological signals are capable to provide a signal even before the movement is started. In this thesis we proposed also an application of Robot Programming by Demonstration in a real industrial facility, in order to optimize the production of electric motor coils. The task was part of the European Robotic Challenge (EuRoC), and the goal was divided in phases of increasing complexity. This solution exploits Machine Learning algorithms, like GMM, and the robustness was assured by considering demonstration of the task from many subjects. We have been able to apply an advanced research topic to a real factory, achieving promising results
Relation of neurocardiovascular instability to cognitive, emotional and functional domains
No full textThere is bulk of evidence suggesting that blood pressure dysregulation, as low blood pressure (LBP) or hypotension, orthostatic hypotension (OH) and high blood pressure (HPB) or hypertension are associated with alterations in cognitive and emotional domains. Some studies suggest that LBP, neurocardiovascular instability, like the OH, and atherosclerosis resulting from long standing HBP, reduces cerebral blood flow, increasing the risk of cognitive impairment, morbidity and mortality. This study aims to evaluate whether patients with cognitive impairment and cardiovascular disease would show any differences in some anamnestic indicators and/or psychometric measures of cognitive performance and affective symptoms. We recruited 36 patients over 65 years of age admitted to both psycho- and cardio-geriatric ambulatories of our hospital during the last year. The population (mean age of 80.5 years, 72.2% females, 27.8% males) was divided in 2 groups, with OH (25%), and without OH (75%). The first group was subdivided in subgroups: patients with HBP, normal BP and LBP, respectively. Cognitive and depressive domains were assessed with the mini mental state examination (MMSE) and the Italian "scala di valutazione del benessere emotivo nell'anziano" (SVEBA). Information about the present status, comorbidities (cumulative illness rating scale = CIRS), functional ability (activities of daily living = ADL, instrumental ADL = IADL) and drugs were collected during clinical examination. BP was measured 4 times, at the beginning of examination, then with the patient in clinostatic and orthostatic position (1(st) and 3(rd) minute). Data were analyzed by MANCOVA, considering age and gender as covariates, MMSE, SVEBA, CIRS, ADL, IADL and drugs as dependent variables, and presence/absence of OH as factor. Covariates were not significant sources of variance, as well as overall factor. Due to the heuristic aim of the study, we considered of interest the results of subsequent ANOVAs showing significant differences in SVEBA and ADL with respect to the factor. These data give us the basis to develop a longitudinal study to confirm the detrimental effect of OH on a wide range of health domains
The validation of the Italian version of the GPCOG (GPCOG-It): a contribution to cross-national implementation of a screening test for dementia in general practice.
No full textAbstract: Background: The General Practitioner Cognitive Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG), a brief, efficient dementia-screening instrument for use by general practitioners (GPs), consists of cognitive test items and historical questions asked of an informant. The validity of instruments across different cultures and languages requires confirmation and so the aim of this study was to validate the Italian version of GPCOG (GPCOG-It).Methods: The validity of the GPCOG-It was assessed against standard criteria for diagnosis of dementia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 4th edition) as well as the Clinical Dementia Rating scale. The participants comprised 200 community-dwelling patients aged at least 55 years with (patient group) or without memory complaints (control group). Seven general practitioners were involved. Measurements used were the Cambridge Cognitive Assessment, Mini-mental State Examination with standard (24/25) and Italian cut-off (26/27), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive scale and Geriatric Depression Scale.Results: The GPCOG-It, total score and two-stage method, were at least equivalent in detecting dementia to the MMSE using the standard 24/25 or the Italian 26/27 cut-offs. The two-stage method of administering the GPCOG-It (cognitive testing followed by informant questions if necessary) had a sensitivity of 82%, a specificity of 92%, a misclassification rate of 17.4%) and positive predictive value of 95%. Patient interviews took less than 4 minutes to administer and informant interviews less than 2 minutes, half the time needed for MMSE administration.Conclusions: GPCOG-It maintains the same psychometric features and time efficiency as the original English version. Despite methodological limitations (i.e. use of defined samples), the GPCOG-It performed well in detecting clear cut and borderline cognitively impaired patients and can be introduced in the daily practice of Italian GPs
INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1 (IGF-1): RELATION WITH COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AND NEUROIMAGING MARKER OF BRAIN DAMAGE IN A SAMPLE OF HYPERTENSIVE ELDERLY SUBJECTS
No full textIGF-1 decline has been related to age-dependent cognitive impairment and dementia. No study examined IGF-1 levels in subjects with a risk factor for brain damage such as hypertension. We investigated the relationship between IGF-1, cognitive functioning and neuroimaging in a sample of 75 hypertensive elderly subjects aged > 65. Cognitive performance were tested by mini mental state examination (MMSE), Cambridge cognitive examination (CAMDEX-R), and the frontal assessment battery (FAB). Among other indices, free IGF-1 in serum was assayed. The radial width of the temporal horn (rWTH) evaluates medial cerebral temporal lobe atrophy. Significant correlations between IGF-1 levels and both total and sub-domain scores of cognition were found. IGF-1 level was significantly lower in cognitively declined group. The lowest IGF-1-percentile subgroup was significantly cognitively impaired. A statistically non-significant, but lower IGF-1 level was found in the sub-sample with pathologically wider rWTH. Levels of IGF-1 below 79.4 mu g/I are associated with cognitive decline, whereas a level above 118 mu g/I seems to be a marker of normal cognitive performance. A decreasing of IGF-1 related to a widening of the rWTH suggests an involvement of this hormone in hippocampus atrophy
Italian Society for Agriculture, Food and Environmental Microbiology (SIMTREA) – Education
No full textA strategic goal of the SIMTREA is to educate
undergraduate and graduate students and
individuals at all levels in the agriculture, food and
environmental microbiology. In particular, students
of the courses taught by SIMTREA members should
demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the
following areas: biology of microbes, biodiversity
and agro‐food microbial resources, microbial
biotechnology, microbiology applied to the agrofood,
agro‐industry and environmental sectors.
In the future, work carried out by the Higher
Education Observatory will include a new survey of
the accredited courses, including doctoral ones.
SIMTREA is eager to make a major contribution to
the development of an European dimension in
microbiology teaching, joining discussion regarding
a strategy for microbiology education and
engagement via FEMS
Evoluzione della microflora lattica e delle attività aminopeptidasiche nella maturazione del Parmigiano Reggiano.
No full textCaratterizzazione delle microflore autoctone del formaggio tradizionale ovino prodotto nel "Parco Regionale Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli
No full textThe microbiological characterization of the traditional cheese "Pecorino del Parco di Migliarino-San Rossore" was carried out. The behaviour of lactic and non lactic microflora during the production and ripening was monitored, examining two on-farm cheesemaking processes. A total of 169 strains, representative of the autochthonous microflora, including lactococci, enterococci, mesophilic lactobacilli and yeasts, was identified. For most of the lactobacilli the phenotypical identification was also confirmed on the basis of the genotypical identification. Finally, 33 strains of lactic acid bacteria were analysed to evaluate the following metabolic parameters: acidification capacity, salt tolerance, proteolytic and peptidase activities. The results obtained represent the initial step of a research with the aim of developing an autochthonous starter, to be used to standardize and protect this cheese
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