An AI Approach to Collecting and Analyzing Human Interactions with Urban Environments

Thanks to advances in Internet of Things and crowd-sensing, it is possible to collect vast amounts of urban data, to better understand how citizens interact with cities and, in turn, improve human well-being in urban environments. This is a scientifically challenging proposition, as it requires new methods to fuse objective (heterogeneous) data (e.g. people location trails and sensors data) with subjective (perceptual) data (e.g. the citizens' quality of experience collected through feedback forms). When it comes to vast urban areas, collecting statistically significant data is a daunting task; thus new data-collection methods are required too. In this work, we turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to address these challenges, introducing a method whereby the objective, sensor data is analyzed in real-time to scope down the test matrix of the subjective questionnaires. In turn, subjective responses are parsed through AI models to extract further objective information. The outcome is an interactive data analysis framework for urban environments, which we put to test in the context of a citizens' well-being project. In our pilot study, each new entry (objective or subjective) is parsed through the AI engine to determine which action maximizes the information gain. This translates into a particular question being fired at a specific moment and place, to a specific person. With our AI data collection method, we can reach statistical significance much faster, achieving (in our city-wide pilot study) a 41% acceleration factor and a 75% reduction in intrusiveness. Our study opens new avenues in urban science, with potential applications in urban planning, citizen's well-being projects, and sociology, to mention but a few cases

The Beacon Wiki: Mapping oncological information across the European Union

Background: Accessing comprehensive oncological data is essential for efficient and quality healthcare delivery and research. However, obstacles, such as data fragmentation and privacy concerns which may hold back progress in this area, exist. The Cancer Care Beacon project addresses these barriers consolidating oncological information across the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) with the goal of creating a Beacon wiki free data online repository.MethodsThe Cancer Care Beacon project involves thorough data collection from various sources, including hospital websites, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and national health institutions. The main focus of metadata retrieval is placed on descriptive details about data sources, thus warranting compliance with privacy regulations and ethical standards. In addition, manual examination and semi-automated methods are included in the process, enabling a registry of administrative databases, cancer registries, and other relevant databases.ResultsProject findings demonstrate the success in the realisation of a comprehensive repository of oncological data sources across the EU assisting informed decision-making regarding the selection and utilisation of resources. Still, challenges such as limited accessibility and low engagement from database providers persist.ConclusionThe Beacon Wiki represents a significant step in addressing disparities in oncological data access and advancing cancer care and research in Europe. By providing comprehensive metadata on cancer-related data sources, Beacon Wiki empowers stakeholders and promotes collaboration in cancer care and research. Continuous efforts are needed to enhance data accessibility and engagement from database providers, ultimately improving data-driven decision-making and patient outcomes in the EU

Adherence to oral anticancer treatments: network and sentiment analysis exploring perceived internal and external determinants in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Purpose: Adherence to oral anticancer treatments (OATs) is a critical issue in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) to enhance survivorship and quality of life. The study is aimed to analyze the main themes and attributes related to OATs in MBC patients. This research is part of a project titled "Enhancing Therapy Adherence Among Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients" designed to produce a predictive model of non-adherence, a decision support system, and guidelines to improve adherence to OATs. Methods: The study consists of an exploratory observational and qualitative analysis using a focus group method. A semi-structured interview guide was developed to handle relevant OAT themes. Wordcloud plots, network analysis, and sentiment analysis were performed. Results: Nineteen female MBC patients participated in the protocol (age mean 55.95, SD = 6.87). Four main themes emerged: (theme 1) individual clinical pathway; (theme 2) barriers to adherence; (theme 3) resources to adherence; (theme 4) patients' perception of new technologies. The Wordcloud and network analysis highlighted the important role of treatment side effects and the relationship with the clinician in the modulation of adherence behavior. This result is consistent with the sentiment analysis underscoring patients experience fear of issues related to clinical values and ineffective communication and discontinuity of the doctor in charge of the patient care. Conclusion: The study highlighted the key role of the individual, relational variables, and side effects as internal and external determinants influencing adherence to MBC. Finally, the opportunity offered by eHealth technology to connect with other patients with similar conditions and share experiences could be a relief for MBC patients

Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 (IRF-1) Shapes Both Innate and CD8+ T Cell Immune Responses against West Nile Virus Infection

Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 is an immunomodulatory transcription factor that functions downstream of pathogen recognition receptor signaling and has been implicated as a regulator of type I interferon (IFN)-αβ expression and the immune response to virus infections. However, this role for IRF-1 remains controversial because altered type I IFN responses have not been systemically observed in IRF-1-/- mice. To evaluate the relationship of IRF-1 and immune regulation, we assessed West Nile virus (WNV) infectivity and the host response in IRF-1-/- cells and mice. IRF-1-/- mice were highly vulnerable to WNV infection with enhanced viral replication in peripheral tissues and rapid dissemination into the central nervous system. Ex vivo analysis revealed a cell-type specific antiviral role as IRF-1-/- macrophages supported enhanced WNV replication but infection was unaltered in IRF-1-/- fibroblasts. IRF-1 also had an independent and paradoxical effect on CD8+ T cell expansion. Although markedly fewer CD8+ T cells were observed in naïve animals as described previously, remarkably, IRF-1-/- mice rapidly expanded their pool of WNV-specific cytolytic CD8+ T cells. Adoptive transfer and in vitro proliferation experiments established both cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic effects of IRF-1 on the expansion of CD8+ T cells. Thus, IRF-1 restricts WNV infection by modulating the expression of innate antiviral effector molecules while shaping the antigen-specific CD8+ T cell response

Effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on stroke and atrial fibrillation in diabetic kidney disease: Results from the CREDENCE trial and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic kidney disease with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate or elevated albuminuria increases risk for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. This study assessed the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on stroke and atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) from CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation) and a meta-Analysis of large cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) of SGLT2i in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: CREDENCE randomized 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease to canagliflozin or placebo. Post hoc, we estimated effects on fatal or nonfatal stroke, stroke subtypes, and intermediate markers of stroke risk including AF/AFL. Stroke and AF/AFL data from 3 other completed large CVOTs and CREDENCE were pooled using random-effects meta-Analysis. RESULTS: In CREDENCE, 142 participants experienced a stroke during follow-up (10.9/1000 patient-years with canagliflozin, 14.2/1000 patient-years with placebo; hazard ratio [HR], 0.77 [95% CI, 0.55-1.08]). Effects by stroke subtypes were: ischemic (HR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.61-1.28]; n=111), hemorrhagic (HR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.19-1.32]; n=18), and undetermined (HR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.20-1.46]; n=17). There was no clear effect on AF/AFL (HR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.53-1.10]; n=115). The overall effects in the 4 CVOTs combined were: Total stroke (HRpooled, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.82-1.12]), ischemic stroke (HRpooled, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.89-1.14]), hemorrhagic stroke (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.30-0.83]), undetermined stroke (HRpooled, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.49-1.51]), and AF/AFL (HRpooled, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.71-0.93]). There was evidence that SGLT2i effects on total stroke varied by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=0.01), with protection in the lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate (45 mL/min/1.73 m2]) subgroup (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.31-0.79]). CONCLUSIONS: Although we found no clear effect of SGLT2i on total stroke in CREDENCE or across trials combined, there was some evidence of benefit in preventing hemorrhagic stroke and AF/AFL, as well as total stroke for those with lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate. Future research should focus on confirming these data and exploring potential mechanisms

Canagliflozin and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes and Nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to 300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m 2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Canagliflozin and Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease in Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention Groups

Background: Canagliflozin reduces the risk of kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, but effects on specific cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain, as are effects in people without previous cardiovascular disease (primary prevention). Methods: In CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation), 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were randomly assigned to canagliflozin or placebo on a background of optimized standard of care. Results: Primary prevention participants (n=2181, 49.6%) were younger (61 versus 65 years), were more often female (37% versus 31%), and had shorter duration of diabetes mellitus (15 years versus 16 years) compared with secondary prevention participants (n=2220, 50.4%). Canagliflozin reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events overall (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80 [95% CI, 0.67-0.95]; P=0.01), with consistent reductions in both the primary (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.49-0.94]) and secondary (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.69-1.06]) prevention groups (P for interaction=0.25). Effects were also similar for the components of the composite including cardiovascular death (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.61-1.00]), nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.59-1.10]), and nonfatal stroke (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.56-1.15]). The risk of the primary composite renal outcome and the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure were also consistently reduced in both the primary and secondary prevention groups (P for interaction &gt;0.5 for each outcome). Conclusions: Canagliflozin significantly reduced major cardiovascular events and kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, including in participants who did not have previous cardiovascular disease

Hybrid organic-inorganic coatings based on thiol-ene systems

International audienceHybrid organic-inorganic coatings based on thiol-ene systems were obtained by a UV-thermal dual-curing process. An improvement in mechanical properties and surface hardness was achieved because of the presence of the inorganic filler generated in situ via the sol-gel process. TEM analysis clearly evidenced the reduction of the nanosize dimensions of the inorganic silica domains by increasing the coupling agent content in the photocurable formulatio

Nuove stazioni di Tamarix arborea var. arborea e T. chinensis (Tamaricaceae) in Sicilia

Tamarix arborea (Sieb. Ex Ehrenb.) Bge. var. arborea e T. chinensis Lour. sono due specie ampiamente diffuse sul territorio siciliano dove, oltre ad essere coltivate a scopo ornamentale, da alcuni anni manifestano una chiara tendenza alla spontaneizzazione. Nell\u2019ambito dell\u2019esplorazione floristica del territorio siciliano, finalizzato ad una pi\uf9 esauriente caratterizzazione del genere Tamarix L. in Italia (1, 2, 3), sono state individuate nuove stazioni di Tamarix arborea var. arborea e T. chinensis. Tamarix arborea var. arborea \ue8 diffusamente coltivata a San Vito Lo Capo (Trapani) come specie ornamentale, mentre allo stato spontaneo \ue8 stata raccolta all\u2019interno della Riserva Naturale Orientata \u201cBosco della Ficuzza, Rocca Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago\u201d ad oltre 900 m s.l.m.. Questo ritrovamento assume un particolare significato floristico, in quanto si tratta della prima segnalazione all\u2019interno della Riserva, e fitogeografico perch\ue8 per la prima volta segnalata in ambiente submontano nell\u2019entroterra siciliano. In particolare l\u2019esemplare di T. arborea var. arborea \ue8 stato rinvenuto in prossimit\ue0 di una zona umida all\u2019interno dell\u2019ampia fascia in cui la base del massiccio, caratterizzata da detriti di falda di natura carbonatica, verso Nord si compenetrano con argilliti, argille marnose e quarzareniti del Flysh Numidico, dell\u2019Oligocene-Miocene inferiore, su un versante interessato da movimenti di massa. Il piano bioclimatico \ue8 il mesomediterraneo (fascia subumida superiore) e la serie edafo-igrofila che caratterizza la stazione \ue8 quella del Salice pedicellato (Ulmo canescentis-Saliceto pedicellatae sigmetum). Anche T. chinensis Lour. \ue8 ampiamente diffusa in Sicilia come pianta coltivata ad uso ornamentale e presenta evidenti casi di spontaneizzazione negli ambienti dunali della Sicilia nord-occidentale ed orientale, in particolare sul litorale di Balestrate (Trapani) ed in localit\ue0 Cala mosche inclusa nella Riserva Naturale Orientata \u201cVendicari\u201d, nel territorio di Noto (Siracusa). Il ritrovamento di T. chinensis in quest\u2019ultima localit\ue0 costituisce la prima segnalazione per la Sicilia orientale. In fine, in riferimento all\u2019esemplare di T. arborea var. arborea, le dimensioni degli elementi fiorali sono le maggiori finora riscontrate sul territorio italiano (Calabria, Sardegna, Sicilia) e in letteratura