Movements of the hands are among the most natural means humans use to express information. Automated recognition of hand movements is a very active research domain for developing Human-Machine ...Interfaces. The surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal is a versatile and accurate data source for intuitive control of machines, robots, or prostheses based on gesture classification, which is a non-trivial mapping. Algorithms for Blind Source Separation (BSS) can retrieve the sEMG's Motor Unit signals, which are the originary format of physiological information, and can be forwarded to a Machine Learning classifier. However, implementation of BSS algorithms for execution on resource-constrained hardware is still in its infancy. In this work, we propose a novel, parallelized version of the FastICA BSS method ported on the Mr. Wolf microcontroller based on PULP, achieving latency < 50ms and energy consumption < 1mJ. In an end-to-end approach, we fed the reconstructed neural signals to an SVM and an MLP classifier, obtaining accuracy >92% on 5 classes (rest and 4 gestures). These results prove that our setup is suitable for running in real-time on the limited resources of embedded hardware, while guaranteeing the same accuracy as black-box state-of-the-art solutions lacking any physiological insight.
The mismatch between different independent measurements of the expansion rate of the Universe is known as the Hubble constant (\(H_0\)) tension, and it is a serious and pressing problem in cosmology. ...We investigate this tension considering the dataset from the Pantheon sample, a collection of 1048 Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) with a redshift range \(0<z<2.26\). We perform a binned analysis in redshift to study if the \(H_0\) tension also occurs in SNe Ia data. Hence, we build equally populated subsamples in three and four bins, and we estimate \(H_{0}\) in each bin considering the \(\Lambda\)CDM and \(w_{0}w_{a}\)CDM cosmological models. We perform a statistical analysis via a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method for each bin. We observe that \(H_0\) evolves with the redshift, using a fit function \(H_{0}(z)=\tilde{H}_{0} (1+z)^{-\alpha}\) with two fitting parameters \(\alpha\) and \(\tilde{H}_{0}\). Our results show a decreasing behavior of \(H_0\) with \(\alpha\sim 10^{-2}\) and a consistency with no evolution between 1.2 \(\sigma\) and 2.0 \(\sigma\). Considering the \(H_0\) tension, we extrapolate \(H_{0}(z)\) until the redshift of the last scattering surface, \(z=1100\), obtaining values of \(H_0\) consistent in 1 \(\sigma\) with the cosmic microwave background (CMB) measurements by Planck. Finally, we discuss possible \(f(R)\) modified gravity models to explain a running Hubble constant with the redshift, and we infer the form of the scalar field potential in the dynamically equivalent Jordan frame.
: Objectives: Therapeutic results in advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are still unsatisfactory in terms of complete remission achievement and duration, in spite of the extensive use of ...purine analogs. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment results from a series of 32 patients managed with a therapeutic program based on the combination of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (CTX).
Methods: Thirty‐two patients (median age 63 yr, range 42–75 yr) with newly diagnosed (47%) or refractory‐relapsed (53%) CLL were programmed to receive six courses of a 3‐d combination of fludarabine at 30 mg/m2/d plus CTX at 300 mg/m2/d. Refractory‐relapsed patients had previously received different chemotherapy lines from 1 to 5.
Results: Fourteen of 32 (44%) patients achieved a complete remission, 16 (50%) obtained partial remission and two (6%) failed to respond. The CR rate was higher in untreated patients; in particular, CR was achieved in nine of 15 (60%) newly diagnosed cases as opposed to five of 17 (29%) among pretreated patients. Toxicity was caused by myelosuppression and/or infections in most cases. After a median follow‐up of 24 months (range 8–48 months), 20 of 32 patients (62%) are alive, and 14 of 32 (44%) are free from progression. Median overall survival and median time to progression were 35 and 25 months, respectively.
Conclusion: The combination of fludarabine with CTX is effective in advanced CLL with acceptable toxicity, either as first‐line therapy or in refractory‐relapsed patients. In particular, a considerable rate of complete remission can be achieved in untreated patients. Myelosuppression represents the major side‐effect.
The Hubble constant (\(H_0\)) tension between Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) and Planck measurements ranges from 4 to 6 \(\sigma\). To investigate this tension, we estimate \(H_{0}\) in the ...\(\Lambda\)CDM and \(w_{0}w_{a}\)CDM models by dividing the Pantheon sample, the largest compilation of SNe Ia, into 3, 4, 20 and 40 bins. We fit the extracted \(H_{0}\) values with a function mimicking the redshift evolution: \(g(z)={H_0}(z)=\tilde{H}_0/(1+z)^\alpha\), where \(\alpha\) indicates an evolutionary parameter and \(\tilde{H}_0=H_0\) at \(z=0\). We set the absolute magnitude of SNe Ia so that \(H_0=73.5\,\, \textrm{km s}^{-1}\,\textrm{Mpc}^{-1}\), and we fix fiducial values for \(\Omega_{0m}^{\Lambda CDM}=0.298\) and \(\Omega_{0m}^{w_{0}w_{a}CDM}=0.308\). We find that \(H_0\) evolves with redshift, showing a slowly decreasing trend, with \(\alpha\) coefficients consistent with zero only from 1.2 to 2.0 \(\sigma\). Although the \(\alpha\) coefficients are compatible with 0 in 3 \(\sigma\), this however may affect cosmological results. We measure locally a variation of \(H_0(z=0)-H_0(z=1)=0.4\, \textrm{km s}^{-1}\,\textrm{Mpc}^{-1}\) in 3 and 4 bins. Extrapolating \({H_0}(z)\) to \(z=1100\), the redshift of the last scattering surface, we obtain values of \(H_0\) compatible in 1 \(\sigma\) with Planck measurements independently of cosmological models and number of bins we investigated. Thus, we have reduced the \(H_0\) tension from \(54\%\) to \(72\%\) for the \(\Lambda\)CDM and \(w_{0}w_{a}\)CDM models, respectively. If the decreasing trend of \(H_0(z)\) is real, it could be due to astrophysical selection effects or to modified gravity.
the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between positive painful forced internal rotation (FIR) and lateral pulley instability in the presence of a pre-diagnosed posterosuperior ...cuff tear. The same investigation was conducted for painful active internal rotation (AIR).
a multicenter prospective study was conducted in a series of patients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic posterosuperior cuff repair. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) was administered. The VAS score at rest, DASH score, and presence/absence of pain on FIR and AIR were recorded and their relationships with lesions of the lateral pulley, cuff tear patterns and shape of lesions were analyzed.
the study population consisted of 115 patients (mean age: 55.1 years) recruited from 12 centers. The dominant arm was affected in 72 cases (62.6%). The average anteroposterior extension of the lesion was 1.61 cm. The mean preoperative VAS and DASH scores were 6.1 and 41.8, respectively. FIR and AIR were positive in 94 (81.7%) and 85 (73.9%) cases, respectively. The lateral pulley was compromised in 50 cases (43.4%). Cuff tears were partial articular in 35 patients (30.4%), complete in 61 (53%), and partial bursal in 19 (16.5%). No statistical correlation between positive FIR or AIR and lateral pulley lesions was detected. Positive FIR and AIR were statistically associated with complete lesions. Negative FIR was associated with the presence of partial articular tears.
painful FIR in the presence of a postero-superior cuff tear does not indicate lateral pulley instability. When a cuff tear is suspected, positive FIR and AIR are suggestive of full-thickness tear patterns while a negative FIR suggests a partial articular lesion.
level I, validating cohort study with good reference standards.
The difference from 4 to 6 \(\sigma\) in the Hubble constant (\(H_0\)) between the values observed with the local (Cepheids and Supernovae Ia, SNe Ia) and the high-z probes (CMB obtained by the ...Planck data) still challenges the astrophysics and cosmology community. Previous analysis has shown that there is an evolution in the Hubble constant that scales as \(f(z)=\mathcal{H}_{0}/(1+z)^{\eta}\), where \(\mathcal{H}_0\) is \(H_{0}(z=0)\) and \(\eta\) is the evolutionary parameter. Here, we investigate if this evolution still holds by using the SNe Ia gathered in the Pantheon sample and the BAOs. We assume \(H_{0}=70 \textrm{km s}^{-1}\textrm{Mpc}^{-1}\) as the local value and divide the Pantheon into 3 bins ordered in increasing values of redshift. Similar to our previous analysis but varying two cosmological parameters contemporaneously (\(H_0\), \(\Omega_{0m}\) in the \(\Lambda\)CDM model and \(H_0\), \(w_a\) in the \(w_{0}w_{a}\)CDM model), for each bin we implement a MCMC analysis obtaining the value of \(H_0\) \(...\). Subsequently, the values of \(H_0\) are fitted with the model \(f(z)\). Our results show that a decreasing trend with \(\eta \sim10^{-2}\) is still visible in this sample. The \(\eta\) coefficient reaches zero in 2.0 \(\sigma\) for the \(\Lambda\)CDM model up to 5.8 \(\sigma\) for \(w_{0}w_{a}\)CDM model. This trend, if not due to statistical fluctuations, could be explained through a hidden astrophysical bias, such as the effect of stretch evolution, or it requires new theoretical models, a possible proposition is the modified gravity theories, \(f(R)\) \(...\). This work is also a preparatory to understand how the combined probes still show an evolution of the \(H_0\) by redshift and what is the current status of simulations on GRB cosmology to obtain the uncertainties on the \(\Omega_{0m}\) comparable with the ones achieved through SNe Ia.
X-HEEP Schiavone, Pasquale Davide; Machetti, Simone; Peón-Quirós, Miguel ...
Proceedings of the 20th ACM International Conference on Computing Frontiers,
05/2023
Conference Proceeding
Odprti dostop
X-HEEP (eXtendable Heterogeneous Energy-Efficient Platform) is an open-source1, configurable, and extensible single-core RISC-V microcontroller developed at the Embedded Systems Laboratory (ESL) of ...EPFL for edge-computing platforms. X-HEEP can be used standalone as a low-cost microcontroller, or it can be integrated into existing platforms to act like a peripheral subsystem, or it can be extended and customized with external peripherals and accelerators nimbly. The latter is particularly appealing for novel accelerators, memories, or peripherals designers who desire a simple controller to drive their IP and communicate with the external world using software functions. X-HEEP is built on top of existing, mature open-source IPs such as CPUs, peripherals, and many other building blocks from the OpenHW Group, the PULP team from ETH Zurich and the University of Bologna, and lowRISC. Its contribution includes its expandability, configurability, and agile use, targetting a large number of users to take one step further towards the democratization of open-source hardware.
There is a growing demand for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma (MM), resulting in an increasing pressure on available hospital beds. In ...addition, more rational utilization of health resources should induce physicians to attempt therapeutic strategies aiming at reduction of costs. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and safety of performing ASCT on an outpatient basis, according to an early discharge method.
A total of 28 patients affected by MM and in complete or partial remission were selected to receive ASCT on an outpatient basis. In particular, after conditioning with high-dose melphalan and stem cell infusion, patients were programmed to go home and to be rehospitalized in the case of febrile neutropenia or other severe toxicities.
All patients accepted the outpatient-based procedure. Out of 28 patients. 18 (64%) did spend the aplastic phase entirely at home following high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell infusion. A second hospital admission was required in 10 patients (36%). Febrile neutropenia and severe mucositis needing total parenteral nutrition were the most frequent causes of hospitalization. However, there were no documented infections and either fever or mucositis was easily resolved at the time of hematopoietic recovery in all patients.
ASCT on an outpatient basis is feasible and safe in patients with MM. More than 60% of patients are manageable at home, provided that a caregiver is available.
Apart from PML-RARα acute promyelocytic leukemia all other acute myeloid leukemias (AML) are unresponsive to retinoid differentiation therapy. However, in our study we show that elevating the levels ...of cyclic AMP (cAMP) confers onto retinoid X receptor (RXR)-selective agonists (“rexinoids”) the ability to induce terminal granulocyte differentiation and apoptosis of all-trans retinoic acid-resistant and insensitive AML cell lines and patients' AML blasts. Protein kinase A activation leads to co-repressor release from the RAR subunit of the RAR-RXR heterodimer, resulting in “de-subordination” of otherwise silent RXR, which acquires transcriptional competence in response to cognate ligands. Rexinoid-cAMP induction of endogenous RARβ is blunted in mouse embryo fibroblasts lacking RARs, but re-introduction of exogenous RARα re-establishes responsiveness, thus confirming that the RARα-RXR heterodimer is the rexinoid mediator. The apoptogenic effect of this treatment involves enhanced expression of the death receptor DR5 and its cognate ligand, the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), both of which are known to induce apoptosis in a tumor cell-selective manner and lead to the activation of initiator caspases. Immunohistochemistry confirmed induction of TRAIL and DR5 in AML patient blasts cultured “ex vivo”. AML patients' blasts responded to rexinoid-cAMP combination treatment with induction of maturation and apoptosis, independent of karyotype, immunophenotype, and FAB classification. Clonogenic assays revealed complete inhibition of blast clonogenicity in four out of five tested samples. Indeed, it is known that cAMP levels can be elevated also by treating cells with 3′, 5′-cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEi's). These observation and the clinical availability of the corresponding drugs provide a rationale for initiating clinical studies addressing the efficacy of combinatorial PDEi-rexinoid therapy in AML patients. Together with our recent finding that a very promising class of epigenetic anti-tumor drugs operates through activation of TRAIL expression (Nat Med 2005, 11(1):7784), the possibility to target both the ligand (TRAIL) by HDAC inhibitors and the cognate receptors (DR4, DR5) by the above described rexinoid crosstalk may represent a promising therapeutic option which might lead, despite the genetic, morphologic, and clinical variability of AML, to a novel therapeutic option for AML patients by inducing a tumor-selective death pathway.
The assumption that natural triacylglycerols comprise enantiomers and racemic molecular species of triesters of glycerol with different three long-chain carboxylic acids, accounts for the primary ...interest in studying the mechanism of fatty acid distribution on the three glycerol positions. The use of carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been successfully applied to carry out the regiospecific analysis of triacylglycerols. The high resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy allowed the determination of the fatty acid compositions without distinguishing, however, the homologous chains, i.e. C16:0 and C18:0 that appear as a single resonance, and their distribution between the 1(3)- and 2- glycerol positions (no differentiation of the sn-1 and sn-3 positions is achieved). The compositions of the two different pools of acyl chains which enter the 1(3)- and 2- glycerol positions, respectively, and the specificity of unsaturated chains for glycerol 2-position, have been calculated. The compositional data for 1(3)- and 2- positions appeared to be correlated to differences in fatty acid compositions of the whole olive oil triglyceride, whereas acyl chain 2-specificity seemed not to be strictly correlated to oleyl and linoleyl chain concentration. The study of the structure of olive oil triglycerides has been extended to the determination of triglyceride molecular species by means of high performance liquid chromatography.
