6IMPOSE: bridging the reality gap in 6D pose estimation for robotic grasping.

6D pose recognition has been a crucial factor in the success of robotic grasping, and recent deep learning based approaches have achieved remarkable results on benchmarks. However, their generalization capabilities in real-world applications remain unclear. To overcome this gap, we introduce 6IMPOSE, a novel framework for sim-to-real data generation and 6D pose estimation.

dTap vaccination uptake during pregnancy: Pregnant women-focused and health professionals-focused predictors in the Veneto Region (Italy).

Background: Despite recommendations, the uptake of dTap maternal vaccination is still low in many countries. The reasons for this must be investigated both on the patient's and the healthcare professionals' sides.

Methods: A record linkage study was performed linking Birth Assitance Certificates and dTap mothers' vaccination records (5183 deliveries) to describe the influence of socioeconomical and obstetrical-gynecological factors after the recommendations concerning dTap vaccination in pregnancy issued by the Italian Ministry of Health (August 2018).

A 2-year point-prevalence surveillance of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in Ferrara University Hospital, Italy.

Background: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) represent one of the leading issues to patient safety as well as a significant economic burden. Similarly, Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and Resistance (AMR) represent a growing threat to global public health and the sustainability of healthcare services.

Methods: A Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) following the 2016 ECDC protocol for HAI prevalence and AMU was conducted at Ferrara University Hospital (FUH).

Aortic stenting in the growing sheep causes aortic endothelial dysfunction but not hypertension: Clinical implications for coarctation repair.

Background: Stent implantation is the treatment of choice for adolescents and adults with aortic coarctation (CoAo). Despite excellent short-term results, 20%-40% of the patients develop arterial hypertension later in life, which was attributed to inappropriate response of the aortic baroreceptors to increased stiffness of the ascending aorta (ASAO), either congenital or induced by CoAo repair. In particular, it has been hypothesized that stent itself may cause or sustain hypertension.

Octopamine, unlike other trace amines, inhibits responses of astroglia-enriched cultures to lipopolysaccharide via a β-adrenoreceptor-mediated mechanism.

Trace amines (TAs), i.e. β-phenylethylamine, tyramine and octopamine, are generally regarded as sympathomimetic compounds with structural and functional analogy with catecholamines.

Accuracy and precision of computer-assisted analysis of bone density via conventional and digital radiography in relation to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Objective: To evaluate the precision and accuracy of assessing bone mineral density (BMD) by use of mean gray value (MGV) on digitalized and digital images of conventional and digital radiographs, respectively, of ex vivo bovine and equine bone specimens in relation to the gold-standard technique of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Sample: Left and right metatarsal bones from 11 beef cattle and right femurs from 2 horses.

Procedures: Bovine specimens were imaged by use of conventional radiography, whereas equine specimens were imaged by use of computed radiography (digital radiography).

Digital venography in horses and its clinical application in Europe.

Clinical diagnostic venography allows in vivo visualization of the digital venous system and the effects of venocompression related to foot load and laminitis pathology. Venography has predictive potential and helps the clinician anticipate and treat laminitis tissue damage before it is detectable by plain radiography. The authors describe the podiatry radiographic technique to correctly perform digital venography and the modifications they have developed.

Biological in vitro and in vivo studies of a series of new asymmetrical cationic [99mTc(N)(DTC-Ln)(PNP)]+ complex (DTC-Ln = alicyclic dithiocarbamate and PNP = diphosphinoamine).

(99m)Tc(N)-DBODC5 is a cationic mixed compound under clinical investigation as potential myocardial imaging agent. In spite of this, analogously to the other cationic (99m)Tc-agents, presents a relatively low first-pass extraction. Thus, modification of (99m)Tc(N)-DBODC(5) direct to increase its first-pass extraction keeping unaltered the favorable imaging properties would be desirable.

Use of serum amyloid A and milk amyloid A in the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows.

Mastitis is the most frequent and costly disease in dairy herds, as it negatively affects yield and milk quality. The presence of clinical mastitis is quite easy to asses, whereas the diagnosis of the subclinical form can be more difficult and requires laboratory assays. Somatic cell count (SCC) is widely used as a rapid and low-cost indicator of mastitis, even if is not useful in discriminating between the clinical and subclinical form.

Age classes and sex differences in the skull of the Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779). A study based on bone shape and density.

This study analyzes morphometrically 17 skulls of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus housed in different Italian Museums and collections. We considered several morphometric variables (31 linear, 1 volumetric and 1 surface area measurements). In addition, we identified, measured and compared two nonmorphometric variables, namely, the bone densities of selected areas obtained using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) device.

Effects of electromagnetic fields of low frequency and low intensity on rat metabolism.

A series of experiments on rats have been performed, to study the effects of long time (50 days) exposure to electromagnetic fields of extremely low frequency (ELF, i.e. less than 100 Hz) and amplitude (non thermal), testing whether the metabolic processes would be affected.

Stearoylethanolamide exerts anorexic effects in mice via down-regulation of liver stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-1 mRNA expression.

Given the recent demonstration that oleoylethanolamide (OEA), a cannabinoid receptor-inactive N-acylethanolamine, decreases food intake by activating the nuclear receptor PPARalpha (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha) in the periphery, we here evaluated the effects of both saturated and unsaturated C18 N-acylethanolamides (C18:0; C18:1; C18:2) in mice feeding behavior after overnight starvation. Our results show stearoylethanolamide (SEA, C18:0) exerts, unlike other unsaturated C18 homologs, a marked dose-dependent anorexic effect evident already at 2 h after its intraperitoneal administration. In addition, oral administration of SEA (25 mg/kg) was also effective in reducing food consumption, an effect ascribed to the molecule itself and not to its catabolites.

Ureteral stenosis in HDAF pig-to-primate renal xenotransplantation: a phenomenon related to immunological events?

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of ureteral stenosis in a life-supporting human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF) transgenic pig-to-cynomolgus monkey kidney transplantation model and determine the role of possible immunological events in its pathogenesis. Thirty consecutive bi-nephrectomized cynomolgus monkeys received a kidney from hDAF transgenic pigs with or without a ureteral stent. Four monkeys were euthanized prematurely after transplantation.

Relationship between metabolic bone disease and bone mineral density measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in the green iguana (Iguana iguana).

The aim of our work was to study the feasibility of using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to obtain reference bone density values in relation to body weight, gender, and metabolic bone disease in the green iguana. The study was performed on 28 animals. The weight, age, and gender of each iguana were recorded.

Echo-Doppler findings of a carotid-jugular fistula in a foal.

A seven-month-old male Standardbred was referred with a 4-month history of left jugular groove distension. On physical examination severely dilated left maxillary, linguofacial and jugular veins were appreciable. Blood gas analysis results indicated higher degree of oxygenation in the left jugular vein.

Accuracy and precision of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for ex vivo determination of mineral content in turkey poult bones.

The right humerus was removed from 30 20-week-old male turkey poults for humerus strength analysis using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and humerus-breaking strength. Specimens were cleaned and dried before scanning. To determine the most precise and accurate protocol of bone densitometry analysis for avian long bones, we scanned each specimen using five different techniques, all aimed to simulate soft-tissue thickness.

Bone density of the arm and forearm as an age indicator in specimens of stranded striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba).

The age of odontocetes living in the wild is determined mainly by analysis of dentine layers in sections of the teeth. We examined a series of specimens from striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba, Meyen, 1833) that had stranded along the Italian coast of the Mediterranean sea. The present study analyzes and describes bone density in the arm and forearm of the stranded specimens, and correlates the data with total body length of the animal and age as determined by the number of dentine layers in sections of the teeth.