Changes in Speech Range Profile Are Associated with Cognitive Impairment

De Stefano Alessandro,Di Giovanni Pamela,Kulamarva Gautham,Di Fonzo Francesca,Massaro Tommaso,Contini Agnese,Dispenza Francesco,Cazzato Claudio 대한치매학회 2021 Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders Vol.20 No.4

Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the variations in the speech range profile (SRP) of patients affected by cognitive decline. Methods: We collected the data of patients managed for suspected voice and speech disorders, and suspected cognitive impairment. Patients underwent an Ear Nose and Throat evaluation and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). To obtain SRP, we asked the patients to read 18 sentences twice, at their most comfortable pitch and loudness as they would do in daily conversation, and recorded their voice on to computer software. Results: The study included 61 patients. The relationship between the MMSE score and SRP parameters was established. Increased severity of the MMSE score resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the average values of the semitones to the phonetogram, and the medium and maximum sound pressure levels (p<0.001). The maximum predictivity of MMSE was based on the highly significant values of semitones (p<0.001) and the maximum sound pressure levels (p=0.010). Conclusions: The differences in SRP between the various groups were analyzed. Specifically, the SRP value decreased with increasing severity of cognitive decline. SRP was useful in highlighting the relationship between all cognitive declines tested and speech.

Survival in clinical stage I endometrial cancer with single vs. multiple positive pelvic nodes: results of a multi-institutional Italian study

Stefano Uccella,Francesca Falcone,Stefano Greggi,Francesco Fanfani,Pierandrea De Iaco,Giacomo Corrado,Marcello Ceccaroni,Vincenzo Dario Mandato,Stefano Bogliolo,Jvan Casarin,Giorgia Monterossi,Ciro Pi 대한부인종양학회 2018 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.29 No.6

Objective: To investigate survival outcomes in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) patients with single vs. multiple positive pelvic lymph nodes. Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of all consecutive patients with histologically proven International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC1 EEC who underwent primary surgical treatment between 2004 and 2014 at seven Italian gynecologic oncology referral centers. Patients with pre- or intra-operative evidence of extra-uterine disease (including the presence of bulky nodes) and patients with stage IIIC2 disease were excluded, in order to obtain a homogeneous population. Results: Overall 140 patients met the inclusion criteria. The presence of >1 metastatic pelvic node was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence and mortality, compared to only 1 metastatic node, at both univariate (recurrence: hazard ratio [HR]=2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2–3.99; p=0.01; mortality: HR=2.8; 95% CI=1.24–6.29; p=0.01) and multivariable analysis (recurrence: HR=1.91; 95% CI=1.02–3.56; p=0.04; mortality: HR=2.62; 95% CI=1.13–6.05; p=0.02) and it was the only independent predictor of prognosis in this subset of patients. Disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were significantly longer in patients with only 1 metastatic node compared to those with more than 1 metastatic node (p=0.008 and 0.009, respectively). Conclusion: The presence of multiple metastatic nodes in stage IIIC1 EEC represents an independent predictor of worse survival, compared to only one positive node. Our data suggest that EEC patients may be categorized according to the number of positive nodes.

An old Soviet response and a revolutionary context: Dealing with the national question in the committees of the USSR Congress of People’s Deputies (1989–1991)

Carolina de Stefano 한양대학교 아태지역연구센터 2020 Journal of Eurasian Studies Vol.11 No.1

The article deals with the parliamentary representation of ethnic/national interests and demands in the crisis years between 1989 and 1991, culminating in the collapse of the Soviet Union. It focuses primarily on the proliferation of committees dealing with ethnonational questions after the creation of the USSR Congress of People’s Deputies, a parliamentary body that existed from 1989 until 1991. The article shows that the new parliamentary architecture was not only the inevitable consequence of social and national mobilization but also an expression of the Union center’s response to the ongoing national crisis. Building mostly upon unpublished archival material, the article focuses on debates in 1989–1991 within the Committee of Nationalities Affairs and Interethnic Issues of the USSR Supreme Soviet. In so doing, it identifies some of the dilemmas the committee faced and some of the changes in its functioning brought about glasnost and perestroika. The article makes two key contributions. First, it helps to shed much-needed light on Soviet nationalities policy during perestroika. Second, the analysis of debates internal to parliamentary committees in those critical years contributes to the existing literature on Soviet and Russian parliamentarism and institutional transformation during the transition from the USSR to the Russian Federation.

알고리즘 관리와 노조의 역할

Valerio de Stefano,Simon Taes 한국노동연구원 2022 국제노동브리프 Vol.20 No.1

디지털 노동 플랫폼에 관한 유럽의 법적 프레임워크

Valerio De Stefano,Antonio Aloisi 한국노동연구원 2020 국제노동브리프 Vol.18 No.5

Surgical therapy of vulvar cancer: how to choose the correct reconstruction?

Stefano Gentileschi,Maria Servillo,Giorgia Garganese,Simona Fragomeni,Francesca De Bonis,Giovanni Scambia,Marzia Salgarello 대한부인종양학회 2016 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.27 No.6

Objective: To create a comprehensive algorithmic approach to reconstruction after vulvarcancer ablative surgery, which includes both traditional and perforator flaps, evaluatinganatomical subunits and shape of the defect. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 80 cases of reconstruction after vulvar cancerablative surgery, performed between June 2006 and January 2016, transferring 101 flaps. Weregistered the possibility to achieve the complete wound closure, even in presence of verycomplex defects, and the postoperative complications. On the basis of these experience,analyzing the choices made and considering the complications, we developed an algorithmto help with the selection of the flap in vulvoperineal reconstruction after oncologic ablativesurgery for vulvar cancer. Results: We employed eight types of different flaps, including 54 traditional fasciocutaneousV-Y flaps, 23 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps, 11 anterolateral thigh flaps, three V-Ygracilis myocutaneous flaps, three free style perforators V-Y flaps from the inner thigh, twoLimberg flaps, two lotus flaps, two deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, and onesuperficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap. The structures most frequently involvedin resection were vulva, perineum, mons pubis, groins, vagina, urethra and, more rarely,rectum, bladder, and lower abdominal wall. Conclusion: The algorithm we implemented can be a useful tool to help flap selection. Thekey points in the decision-making process are: anatomical subunits to be covered, overallshape and symmetry of the defect and some patient features such as skin laxity or previousradiotherapy. Perforator flaps, when feasible, must be considered standard in vulvoperinealreconstruction, although in some cases traditional flaps remain the best choice.

Multibody modelling of N DOF robot arm assigned to milling manufacturing. Dynamic analysis and position errors evaluation

Stefano Baglioni,Filippo Cianetti,Claudio Braccesi,Denis Mattia De Micheli 대한기계학회 2016 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.30 No.1

Nowadays, with the large use of robot manipulators in the most different fields of industrial production, two main aims must be commonlyreached: robot dynamic behavior improvement and end-effector position errors reduction. For a N DOF robot arm, in case of specificapplications such as milling manufacturing, one of the main source of end-effector position errors can be identified with joint compliances. This aspect, well known in literature, has been confirmed by experimental tests and measurements carried out on a specificrobot assigned to non-standard milling manufacturing of marble objects (sculptures realization). To approach and analyze this issue theauthors chose the multibody simulation environment. Hence, the authors developed a parametric modelling procedure that, by determiningthe robot characteristics through CAD model and technical data sheet investigation, provides reliable multibody dynamic models ofgeneric N DOF robot arms. In this modelling approach the robot geometry construction is based on a standard strategy typical of thisresearch field (i.e. Denavit-Hartenberg, Veitschegger-Wu). The developed procedure enables to obtain robot representation at variouscomplexity levels according to the number of modelled robot components and actuation typology (Motion laws defined both in displacementor applied torque). Eventually, for a specific test case, the authors were able to correctly simulate the robot dynamic behavior,as it was demonstrated by numerical/experimental comparison. In this way the influence of the joint compliance behavior and actuatorrotational inertia effects on end-effector position accuracy was analyzed.

Abelson Helper Integration Site-1 Gene Variants on Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

Stefano Porcelli,배치운,한창수,이수정,Ashwin A Patkar,Prakash S. Masand,Beatrice Balzarro,Siegfried Alberti,Diana De Ronchi,Alessandro Serretti 대한신경정신의학회 2014 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.11 No.4

Objective The present study aimed to explore whether 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the AHI1 gene could be associated with major depressive disorder (MD) and bipolar disorder (BD), and whether they could predict clinical outcomes in mood disorders. Methods One hundred and eighty-four (184) patients with MD, 170 patients with BD and 170 healthy controls were genotyped for 4 AHI1 SNPs (rs11154801, rs7750586, rs9647635 and rs9321501). Baseline and final clinical measures for MD patients were assessed through the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Allelic and genotypic frequencies in MD and BD subjects were compared with those of each disorder and healthy group using the χ2 statistics. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test possible influences of SNPs on treatment efficacy. Results The rs9647635 A/A was more represented in subjects with BD as compared with MD and healthy subjects together. The rs9647635 A/A was also more presented in patients with MD than in healthy subjects. With regard to the allelic analysis, rs9647635 A allele was more represented in subjects with BD compared with healthy subjects, while it was not observed between patients with MD and healthy subjects. Conclusion Our findings provide potential evidence of an association between some variants of AHI1 and mood disorders susceptibility but not with clinical outcomes. However, we will need to do more adequately-powered and advanced association studies to draw any conclusion due to clear limitations.

Influence of viscous effects on numerical prediction of motions of SWATH vessels in waves

Brizzolara, Stefano,Bonfiglio, Luca,Medeiros, Joao Seixas De Techno-Press 2013 Ocean systems engineering Vol.3 No.3

The accurate prediction of motion in waves of a marine vehicle is essential to assess the maximum sea state vs. operational requirements. This is particularly true for small crafts, such as Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASV). Two different numerical methods to predict motions of a SWATH-ASV are considered: an inviscid strip theory initially developed at MIT for catamarans and then adapted for SWATHs and new a hybrid strip theory, based on the numerical solution of the radiation forces by an unsteady viscous, non-linear free surface flow solver. Motion predictions obtained by the viscous flow method are critically discussed against those obtained by potential flow strip theory. Effects of viscosity are analyzed by comparison of sectional added mass and damping calculated at different frequencies and for different sections, RAOs and motions response in irregular waves at zero speed. Some relevant conclusions can be drawn from this study: influence of viscosity is definitely non negligible for SWATH vessels like the one presented: amplitude of the pitch and heave motions predicted at the resonance frequency differ of 20% respectively and 50%; in this respect, the hybrid method with fully non-linear, viscous free surface calculation of the radiation forces turns out to be a very valuable tool to improve the accuracy of traditional strip theories, without the burden of long computational times requested by fully viscous time domain three dimensional simulations.

The Influence of AHI1 Variants on the Diagnosis and Treatment Outcome in Schizophrenia

Porcelli, Stefano,Pae, Chi-Un,Han, Changsu,Lee, Soo-Jung,Patkar, Ashwin A.,Masand, Prakash S.,Balzarro, Beatrice,Alberti, Siegfried,De Ronchi, Diana,Serretti, Alessandro MDPI 2015 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES Vol.16 No.2

<P>The present study aimed to explore whether four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the AHI1 gene could be associated with schizophrenia (SCZ) and whether they could predict the clinical outcomes in SCZ patients treated with antipsychotics. Four hundred twenty-six (426) in-patients with SCZ and 345 controls were genotyped for four AHI1 SNPs (rs11154801, rs7750586, rs9647635 and rs9321501). Baseline and clinical measures for SCZ patients were assessed through the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Allelic and genotypic frequencies in SCZ subjects were compared with those of controls using the χ<SUP>2</SUP> statistics. The repeated-measure ANOVA was used for the assessment of treatment outcomes measured by PANSS changes. The case-control analysis did not show any difference in the genotypic distribution of the SNPs, while in the allelic analysis, a weak association was found between the rs9647635 A allele and SCZ. Furthermore, in the haplotype analysis, three haplotypes resulted in being associated with SCZ. On the other hand, two SNPs (rs7750586 and rs9647635) were associated with clinical improvement of negative symptoms in the allelic analysis, although in the genotypic analysis, only trends of association were found for the same SNPs. Our findings suggest a possible influence of AHI1 variants on SCZ susceptibility and antipsychotic response, particularly concerning negative symptomatology. Subsequent well-designed studies would be mandatory to confirm our results due to the methodological shortcomings of the present study.</P>