27 research outputs found
Exploring New Vitality Forms in Human-Robot Interaction
No full textHumans communicate their internal psychological and affective states through movement, which varies in the form with which it is performed. These forms, known as vitality forms, play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of human-robot interaction, particularly when they can be recognized by artificial agents such as humanoid robots. The present study aims to develop and validate forty short stories designed to elicit four distinct vitality forms: fed-up, rude, gentle, and enthusiastic. The stories were generated with the support of a large language model to minimize potential bias related to researchers’ subjective interpretations and were validated through an online questionnaire. In the questionnaire, participants read each story and selected up to three emotional labels from a set of fifty-one. The data were analysed using two complementary methods, percentage-based and weighted frequency analyses, which yielded largely consistent results. The most effective stories for each vitality form will be used in a future human-robot interaction study to investigate the motor behaviours associated with each form during interaction with a humanoid robot such as iCub
Stories for the Expression of Vitality Forms
No full textThis repository contains the supplementary materials used in the study "Exploring New Vitality Forms in Human-Robot Interaction", submitted to the International Conference on Social Robotics + AI (ICSR) 2025
Low noncarbonic buffer power amplifies acute respiratory acid-base disorders in patients with sepsis: an in vitro study
No full textPatients with sepsis are poorly protected against acute respiratory acid-base derangements due to a lower noncarbonic buffer power, which is caused both by a reduction in the major noncarbonic buffers, i.e. hemoglobin and albumin, and by a reduced buffering capacity of albumin. Electrolyte shifts from and to the red blood cells determining acute variations in strong ion difference are the major buffering mechanism during acute respiratory acid-base disorders.Patients with sepsis have typically reduced concentrations of hemoglobin and albumin, the major components of noncarbonic buffer power ( β). This could expose patients to high pH variations during acid-base disorders. The objective of this study is to compare, in vitro, noncarbonic β of patients with sepsis with that of healthy volunteers, and evaluate its distinct components. Whole blood and isolated plasma of 18 patients with sepsis and 18 controls were equilibrated with different CO 2 mixtures. Blood gases, pH, and electrolytes were measured. Noncarbonic β and noncarbonic β due to variations in strong ion difference ( β SID ) were calculated for whole blood. Noncarbonic β and noncarbonic β normalized for albumin concentrations ( β NORM ) were calculated for isolated plasma. Representative values at pH = 7.40 were compared. Albumin proteoforms were evaluated via two-dimensional electrophoresis. Hemoglobin and albumin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with sepsis. Patients with sepsis had lower noncarbonic β both of whole blood (22.0 ± 1.9 vs. 31.6 ± 2.1 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and plasma (0.5 ± 1.0 vs. 3.7 ± 0.8 mmol/L, P < 0.01). Noncarbonic β SID was lower in patients (16.8 ± 1.9 vs. 24.4 ± 1.9 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and strongly correlated with hemoglobin concentration ( r = 0.94, P < 0.01). Noncarbonic β NORM was lower in patients [0.01 (−0.01 to 0.04) vs. 0.08 (0.06–0.09) mmol/g, P < 0.01]. Patients with sepsis and controls showed different amounts of albumin proteoforms. Patients with sepsis are exposed to higher pH variations for any given change in CO 2 due to lower concentrations of noncarbonic buffers and, possibly, an altered buffering function of albumin. In both patients with sepsis and healthy controls, electrolyte shifts are the major buffering mechanism during respiratory acid-base disorders. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Patients with sepsis are poorly protected against acute respiratory acid-base derangements due to a lower noncarbonic buffer power, which is caused both by a reduction in the major noncarbonic buffers, i.e. hemoglobin and albumin, and by a reduced buffering capacity of albumin. Electrolyte shifts from and to the red blood cells determining acute variations in strong ion difference are the major buffering mechanism during acute respiratory acid-base disorders.Patients with sepsis are poorly protected against acute respiratory acid-base derangements due to a lower noncarbonic buffer power, which is caused both by a reduction in the major noncarbonic buffers, i.e. hemoglobin and albumin, and by a reduced buffering capacity of albumin. Electrolyte shifts from and to the red blood cells determining acute variations in strong ion difference are the major buffering mechanism during acute respiratory acid-base disorders.Patients with sepsis have typically reduced concentrations of hemoglobin and albumin, the major components of noncarbonic buffer power ( β). This could expose patients to high pH variations during acid-base disorders. The objective of this study is to compare, in vitro, noncarbonic β of patients with sepsis with that of healthy volunteers, and evaluate its distinct components. Whole blood and isolated plasma of 18 patients with sepsis and 18 controls were equilibrated with different CO 2 mixtures. Blood gases, pH, and electrolytes were measured. Noncarbonic β and noncarbonic β due to variations in strong ion difference ( β SID ) were calculated for whole blood. Noncarbonic β and noncarbonic β normalized for albumin concentrations ( β NORM ) were calculated for isolated plasma. Representative values at pH = 7.40 were compared. Albumin proteoforms were evaluated via two-dimensional electrophoresis. Hemoglobin and albumin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with sepsis. Patients with sepsis had lower noncarbonic β both of whole blood (22.0 ± 1.9 vs. 31.6 ± 2.1 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and plasma (0.5 ± 1.0 vs. 3.7 ± 0.8 mmol/L, P < 0.01). Noncarbonic β SID was lower in patients (16.8 ± 1.9 vs. 24.4 ± 1.9 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and strongly correlated with hemoglobin concentration ( r = 0.94, P < 0.01). Noncarbonic β NORM was lower in patients [0.01 (−0.01 to 0.04) vs. 0.08 (0.06–0.09) mmol/g, P < 0.01]. Patients with sepsis and controls showed different amounts of albumin proteoforms. Patients with sepsis are exposed to higher pH variations for any given change in CO 2 due to lower concentrations of noncarbonic buffers and, possibly, an altered buffering function of albumin. In both patients with sepsis and healthy controls, electrolyte shifts are the major buffering mechanism during respiratory acid-base disorders. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Patients with sepsis are poorly protected against acute respiratory acid-base derangements due to a lower noncarbonic buffer power, which is caused both by a reduction in the major noncarbonic buffers, i.e. hemoglobin and albumin, and by a reduced buffering capacity of albumin. Electrolyte shifts from and to the red blood cells determining acute variations in strong ion difference are the major buffering mechanism during acute respiratory acid-base disorders
Key Role of Respiratory Quotient to Reduce the Occurrence of Hypoxemia During Extracorporeal Gas Exchange: A Theoretical Analysis
No full textObjectives:
Extracorporeal respiratory support, including low blood flow systems providing mainly extracorporeal CO2 removal, are increasingly applied in clinical practice. Gas exchange physiology during extracorporeal respiratory support is complex and differs between full extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and extracorporeal CO2 removal. Aim of the present article is to review pathophysiological aspects which are relevant for the understanding of hypoxemia development during extracorporeal CO2 removal. We will describe the mathematical and physiologic background underlying changes in respiratory quotient and alveolar oxygen tension during venovenous extracorporeal gas exchange and highlight the clinical implications.
Design:
Theoretical analysis of venovenous extracorporeal gas exchange.
Setting:
Italian university research hospital.
Patients:
None.
Interventions:
None.
Measurements and Main Results:
While the effect of extracorporeal CO2 removal on the respiratory quotient of the native lung has long been known, the role of extracorporeal oxygenation in dictating changes in the respiratory quotient has been less addressed. Indeed, both extracorporeal CO2 removal and extracorporeal oxygen delivery affect the respiratory quotient of the native lung and thus influence the alveolar PO2. Indeed, for the same amount of extracorporeal CO2 extraction, it is possible to reduce the FIO2, reduce the risk of absorption atelectasis, and maintain the same alveolar PO2, by increasing the extracorporeal oxygen delivery.
Conclusions:
Worsening of hypoxemia is frequent during low-flow extracorporeal CO2 removal combined with ultraprotective mechanical ventilation. In this context, increasing extracorporeal oxygen delivery, increases the respiratory quotient of the native lung and could reduce both the occurrence of alveolar hypoxia and absorption atelectasis, thus optimizing the residual lung function
Low non-carbonic buffer power amplifies acute respiratory acid-base disorders in septic patients: an in-vitro study
No full textRationale: Septic patients have typically reduced concentrations of hemoglobin and albumin, the major components of non-carbonic buffer power(β). This could expose patients to high pH variations during acid-base disorders.
Objectives: To compare, in-vitro, non-carbonic β of septic patients with that of healthy volunteers, and evaluate its distinct components.
Methods: Whole blood and isolated plasma of 18 septic patients and 18 controls were equilibrated with different CO2 mixtures. Blood gases, pH and electrolytes were measured. Non-carbonic β and non-carbonic β due to variations in Strong Ion Difference (βSID) were calculated for whole blood. Non-carbonic β and non-carbonic β normalized for albumin concentrations (βNORM) were calculated for isolated plasma. Representative values at pH=7.40 were compared. Albumin proteoforms were evaluated via two-dimensional electrophoresis.
Measurements and main results: Hemoglobin and albumin concentrations were significantly lower in septic patients. Septic patients had lower non-carbonic β both of whole blood (22.0±1.9 vs. 31.6±2.1 mmol/L, p<0.01) and plasma (0.5±1.0 vs. 3.7±0.8 mmol/L, p<0.01). Non-carbonic βSID was lower in patients (16.8±1.9 vs. 24.4±1.9 mmol/L, p<0.01) and strongly correlated with hemoglobin concentration (r=0.94, p<0.01). Non-carbonic βNORM was lower in patients (0.01 [-0.01 - 0.04] vs. 0.08 [0.06 - 0.09] mmol/g, p<0.01). Septic patients and controls showed different amounts of albumin proteoforms.
Conclusions: Septic patients are exposed to higher pH variations for any given change in CO2 due to lower concentrations of non-carbonic buffers and, possibly, an altered buffering function of albumin. In both septic patients and healthy controls, electrolyte shifts are the major buffering mechanism during respiratory acid-base disorders
Alkaline Liquid Ventilation of the Membrane Lung for Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal (ECCO<sub>2</sub>R): In Vitro Study
No full textExtracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) is a promising strategy to manage acute respiratory failure. We hypothesized that ECCO2R could be enhanced by ventilating the membrane lung with a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution with high CO2 absorbing capacity. A computed mathematical model was implemented to assess NaOH–CO2 interactions. Subsequently, we compared NaOH infusion, named “alkaline liquid ventilation”, to conventional oxygen sweeping flows. We built an extracorporeal circuit with two polypropylene membrane lungs, one to remove CO2 and the other to maintain a constant PCO2 (60 ± 2 mmHg). The circuit was primed with swine blood. Blood flow was 500 mL × min−1. After testing the safety and feasibility of increasing concentrations of aqueous NaOH (up to 100 mmol × L−1), the CO2 removal capacity of sweeping oxygen was compared to that of 100 mmol × L−1 NaOH. We performed six experiments to randomly test four sweep flows (100, 250, 500, 1000 mL × min−1) for each fluid plus 10 L × min−1 oxygen. Alkaline liquid ventilation proved to be feasible and safe. No damages or hemolysis were detected. NaOH showed higher CO2 removal capacity compared to oxygen for flows up to 1 L × min−1. However, the highest CO2 extraction power exerted by NaOH was comparable to that of 10 L × min−1 oxygen. Further studies with dedicated devices are required to exploit potential clinical applications of alkaline liquid ventilation
Quantification of Recirculation During Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: In Vitro Evaluation of a Thermodilution Technique
No full textVeno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) represents one of the most advanced respiratory support for patients suffering from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. During vv-ECMO a certain amount of extracorporeal oxygenated blood can flow back from the reinfusion into the drainage cannula without delivering oxygen to the patient. Detection and quantification of this dynamic phenomenon, defined recirculation, are critical to optimize the ECMO efficiency. Our study aimed to measure the recirculation fraction (RF) using a thermodilution technique. We built an in vitro circuit to simulate patients undergoing vv-ECMO (ECMO flow: 1.5, 3, and 4.5 L/min) with different cardiac output, using a recirculation bridge to achieve several known RFs (from 0% to 50%). The RF, computed as the ratio of the area under temperature-time curves (AUC) of the drainage and reinfusion, was significantly related to the set RF (AUC ratio (%) = 0.979 × RF (%) + 0.277%, p < 0.0001), but it was not dependent on tested ECMO and cardiac output values. A Bland-Altman analysis showed an AUC ratio bias (precision) of -0.21% for the overall data. Test-retest reliability showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.993. This study proved the technical feasibility and computation validity of the applied thermodilution technique in computing vv-ECMO RF
CONDITIONS OF (IM)POSSIBILITY OF EXPERIENCE IN JOHN DEWEY AND JORGE LARROSA: some approaches
No full textAbstract: This essay aims at reflecting on some conditions in order for the event or the construction/reconstruction of experience may be part of the process of subject constitution. Two major theoretical foundations underscore the present approach: John Dewey and Jorge Larrosa. Such authors have great importance for the field in terms of questioning the concept of experience and, therefore, they needed our attention. Among the theories of John Dewey (1859-1952), an American philosopher who left a huge legacy in Educational Philosophy, we find the defense of an educational process based on the idea of education as construction and reconstruction of experience. Jorge Larrosa is a Professor of Philosophy of Education at the University of Barcelona, Spain, and author of various works on education. Among his publications, we can highlight the following: “Notes on the Experience and Knowledge of Experience” (2002) and “Knowledge and Education” (2007), which were referred in this paper due to the property the concepts of experience and education are used. The Deweyan problematization on the concept of experience is wide. Many works support this theme; however, only some of them are cited here as the main ones: Experiência e educação [Experience and Education] (1971), Como pensamos: como se relaciona o pensamento reflexivo com o processo educativo [How We Think] (1959a), Democracia e educação [Democracy and Education] (1959b), and Vida e educação [Life and Education] (1973)
As condições de (im) possibilidades da experiência em John Dewey e Jorge Larrosa: algumas aproximações/Conditions of (im) possibility of experience in John Dewey and Jorge Larrosa: some approaches
No full text Resumo Este artigo tem por objetivo refletir sobre as condições para que o acontecimento ou a construção/reconstrução da experiência possam fazer parte do processo de constituição do sujeito. Duas fontes teóricas serão as principais fundamentadoras desta escrita: John Dewey e Jorge Larrosa. Estes autores apresentam contribuições singulares para o campo de problematização do conceito de experiência e, por isso, merecem nossaatenção. Dentre as teses de John Dewey (1859-1952), filósofo norte-americano que nos deixou um imenso legado filosófico educacional, encontramos a defesa de um processo educativo pautado na ideia de educação como construção e reconstrução da experiência. Jorge Larrosa é professor de Filosofia da Educação na Universidade de Barcelona, na Espanha, e autor de várias publicações sobre educação. Dentre seustrabalhos destacamos: “Notas sobre a experiência e o saber de experiência” (2002) e “Saber e Educação” (2007), aos quais nos reportamos na escrita deste artigo, dada a propriedade com que os conceitos de experiência e educação são neles abordados. A problematização deweyana sobre o conceito de experiência é amplo. Diversas são as obras que dão suporte a este tema; no entanto, citamos como principais: Experiência e educação (1971), Como pensamos: como se relaciona o pensamento reflexivo com o processo educativo (1959a), Democracia e educação (1959b), Vida e educação (1973). Abstract This essay aims at reflecting on some conditions in order for the event or the construction/reconstruction of experience may be part of the process of subject constitution. Two major theoretical foundations underscore the present approach: JohnDewey and Jorge Larrosa. Such authors have great importance for the field in terms of questioning the concept of experience and, therefore, they needed our attention. Among the theories of John Dewey (1859-1952), an American philosopher who left a huge legacy in Educational Philosophy, we find the defense of an educational process based on the idea of education as construction and reconstruction of experience. Jorge Larrosa is a Professor of Philosophy of Education at the University of Barcelona, Spain, and author of various works on education. Among his publications, we can highlight the following: “Notes on the Experience and Knowledge of Experience” (2002) and“Knowledge and Education” (2007), which were referred in this paper due to the property the concepts of experience and education are used. The Deweyan problematization on the concept of experience is wide. Many works support this theme; however, only some of them are cited here as the main ones: Experiência e educação [Experience and Education] (1971), Como pensamos: como se relaciona o pensamento reflexivo com o processo educativo [How We Think] (1959a), Democracia e educação [Democracy and Education] (1959b), and Vida e educação [Life and Education] (1973).</div
