Search results for "RJ"

Prevalence of hypospadias in Italy according to severity, gestational age and birthweight: an epidemiological study

2009

Abstract Background Hypospadias is a congenital displacement of the urethral meatus in male newborns, being either an isolated defect at birth or a sign of sexual development disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence rate of hypospadias in different Districts of Italy, in order to make a comparison with other countries all over the world. Methods We reviewed all the newborns file records (years 2001–2004) in 15 Italian Hospitals. Results We found an overall hypospadias prevalence rate of 3.066 ± 0.99 per 1000 live births (82.48% mild hypospadias, 17.52% moderate-severe). In newborns Small for Gestational Age (birthweight th percentile) of any gestational age the prevalen…

Increased percentages of calprotectin and TNF-Α double-positive monocytes in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease

2011

Background The acute phase of KD is characterized by a deficiency of suppressor T cells, marked activation of the immune system and increased secretion of cytokines by immune effector cells. Moreover, it has been shown that myeloid-related protein (MRP-8 and MRP-14) and S100proteins, the major calcium-binding proteins secreted by activated neutrophils and monocytes, contribute to cause inflammation in acute lesions of KD, and indeed one of the more common hematological alteration in KD is the increase of peripheral blood monocytes. Calprotectin, one of the major calcium-binding proteins, can lead to direct and indirect effects that result not only in inflammation but also in modification of…

Ocular Refraction at Birth and Its Development During the First Year of Life in a Large Cohort of Babies in a Single Center in Northern Italy

2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate refraction at birth and during the first year of life in a large cohort of babies born in a single center in Northern Italy. We also aimed to analyze refractive errors in relation to the gestational age at birth. An observational ophthalmological assessment was performed within 24 h of birth on 12,427 newborns. Refraction was examined using streak retinoscopy after the administration of tropicamide (1%). Values in the range of between +0.50 ≤ D ≤ +4.00 were defined as physiological refraction at birth. Newborns with refraction values outside of the physiological range were followed up during the first year of life. Comparative analyses were condu…

Early precursors of low attention and hyperactivity in moderately and very preterm children at preschool age

2013

The low attention and hyperactivity are major morbidities associated with very and moderately preterm birth. The study has been aimed at investigating the likely occurrence of early precursors of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in very and moderately preterm children at preschool age. The involved children were: 25 very preterm children (M=29.4 weeks of gestational age, SD=2), with low birth weight (M=1200 g, SD=250 g); 35 moderately preterm children (M=34.6 weeks of gestational age, SD=1) with low birth weight (M=2100 g, SD=250 g); 60 healthy full-term children as the control group. Parents of children have been administered specific questionnaires to detect low attenti…

Cancer in the first 18 months of life

2020

Introduction: Oncological-haematological disease continues to be the first cause of non-traumatic mortality in childhood, as well as a significant cause of morbidity. The patient less than 18-months-old has special clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic features that all paediatricians are interested in determining, with the aim of achieving greater survival and a lower morbidity throughout the lives of their patients. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive study was carried out using the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic variables in patients less than 18-months-old diagnosed with an oncological-haematological that received chemotherapy in a Paediatric Oncology Unit between …

Aarrearkku : Tyttö ja koira

2015

Liian hieno Pepiksi : esikoululaiset kertovat käsityksistään lastenkirjojen kuvahahmoista

2015

Tutkimus tarkastelee lastenkirjojen kuvahahmoja esikouluikäisten lasten kertomana. Tutkimus selvittää, mitä esikouluikäiset lapset kertovat käsityksistään muumista, Peppi Pitkätossusta sekä Lumikista ja seitsemästä kääpiöstä ja kyseisten hahmojen erilaisista versioista. Lastenkirjat ovat osa lapsuutta ja aikuisten lapsille tuottamaa lastenkulttuuria. Lasten tiedetään yleisesti pitävän kuvista ja katselevan kuvia ennen kirjallisen lukutaidon kehittymistä. Kuitenkin tutkimustietoa siitä, mitä lapset ajattelevat kuvakirjoista on varsin vähän. Tutkimus liittyy lapsitutkimukseen ja sillä on yhtymäkohtia lapsuudentutkimukseen sekä lapsinäkökulmaiseen tutkimukseen. Tutkimus on luonteeltaan laadull…

Anthropomorphism and social presence in Human–Virtual service assistant interactions: The role of dialog length and attitudes

2022

In this study, we delve into the perceived quality of recommendations provided by AI-based virtual service assistants (VSAs). Specifically, the role of the social presence of VSAs in influencing recommendation perceptions is investigated. We also explore how the social presence of a VSA is formed and how perceived anthropomorphism plays a vital role in shaping social presence and eventually instilling trust in VSAs among consumers. These relationships are examined in the context of online government services. The results indicate that consumer interaction with VSAs - manifesting via perceived anthropomorphism, social presence, dialog length, and attitudes - improves recommendation quality p…

Glyphosate residues alter the microbiota of a perennial weed with a minimal indirect impact on plant performance

2021

Abstract Purpose In cold climates, glyphosate residues may linger in soils, with effects on plant–microbe interactions and, consequently, plant performance. Here, we explore the influence of glyphosate residues on the endophytic microbiota (bacteria and fungi) and performance of the perennial nitrogen-fixing weed Lupinus polyphyllus. Methods In a common garden, we grew plants from six populations of L. polyphyllus in glyphosate-treated or untreated control soils, with or without additional phosphorus. We sampled plant microbiota (leaves, roots, nodules) and assessed plant performance based on six traits: height, retrogression probability (i.e. shrinkage), biomass, root:shoot ratio, nodule n…

Transmission of Genetic Properties in Permutation Problems: Study of Lehmer Code and Inversion Table Encoding

2021

Solution encoding describes the way decision variables are represented. In the case of permutation problems, the classical encoding should ensure that there are no duplicates. During crossover operations, repairs may be carried out to correct or avoid repetitions. The use of indirect encoding aims to define bijections between the classical permutation and a different representation of the decision variables. These encodings are not sensitive to duplicates. However, they lead to a loss of genetic properties during crossbreeding. This paper proposes a study of the impact of this loss both in the space of decision variables and in that of fitness values. We consider two indirect encoding: the …