Parameterization and Design of Telepresence Robot to Avoid Obstacles

Featured ApplicationTelepresence robot is useful for remote applications, healthcare and remote sensing.Background: The development of telepresence robots is getting much attention in various areas of human–robot interaction, healthcare systems and military applications because of multiple advantages such as safety improvement, lower energy and fuel consumption, exploitation of road networks, reduced traffic congestion and greater mobility. Methods: In the critical decision-making process during the motion of a robot, intelligent motion planning takes an important and challenging role. It includes obstacle avoidance, searching for the safest path to follow, generating appropriate behavior and comfortable trajectory generation by optimization while keeping road boundaries and traffic rules as important concerns. Results: This paper presents a state machine algorithm for avoiding obstacles and speed control design to a cognitive architecture named auto-MERLIN. This research empirically tested the proposed solutions by providing implementation details and diagrams for establishing the path planning and obstacle tests. Conclusions: The results validate the usability of our approach and show auto-MERLIN as a ready robot for short- and long-term tasks, showing better results than using a default system, particularly when deployed in highly interactive scenarios. The stable speed control of the auto-MERLIN in case of detecting any obstacle was shown.

Enhanced Surveillance of Italian Vaccinovigilance Group During COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Drug Experience

Introduction: The vaccinovigilance Italian group was established since 2014 (1), with members from AIFA, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Ministry of Health (MH), Pharmacovigilance Regional Centers (PVRC) and Regional Prevention (RP). Signal detection of vaccines, annual reports on vaccine surveillance and supporting documents for pharmacovigilance activity are the main core of the group activities (2). During pandemic, enhanced surveillance was conducted to better characterize safety profile of the new antiCOVID-19 vaccines. Objective: We reported the enhanced surveillance for anti-COVID19 vaccines, managed by the AIFA in collaboration with ISS, MH, PVRC and RP. Methods: Actions implemented for the enhanced surveillance: daily control of the RNF and follow-up requests, periodic publication of reports, interactive graphs on web site updated monthly, meetings of signal detection for anti-COVID-19 vaccines on a monthly basis. Results: From the first month of the vaccination campaign (27/12/ 2020-26/01/2021) a report on the course of safety surveillance was made publicly available (3). Until 26/09/2022 the report was published on a monthly basis, then, considering the downward trend in report submission and the greater knowledge of the vaccine safety profile, we moved to a quarterly frequency. The 10th report is referred to an observation period of one year from the start of the vaccination campaign with 117.920 reports submitted to RNF and 108.530.987 administered doses. In this annual report, there are specific focuses developed with the contribution of the regions, tailored on reproductive health, pediatric population and adverse events of special interest such as anaphylaxis, Guillain Barre syndrome, myocarditis/ pericarditis, Bell paralysis and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome. The report was presented in live streaming on the AIFA YouTube channel. Regarding the signal detection within the group, it was performed monthly since September 2021;the work was distributed among regions on the basis of vaccines and MedDRA System Organ Class (SOC). As a result of the analysis two signals were validated by AIFA. The signal CLS-Elasomeran was confirmed by the lead member state and determined the update of the Product Information (4). Conclusion: Despite the high number of reports, coordination with the territory and continuous and enhanced surveillance, supported by an integrated group with different expertise (epidemiologist, pharmacist, medical doctors), have proved to be effective in safety monitoring of COVID vaccines.

Effectivity of Distance Learning in the Training of Basic Surgical Skills—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Distance learning is an interactive way of education when teachers and students are physically separated. Our purpose was to examine its effectivity in training of basic surgical techniques and to provide an alternative sustainable methodology for the training of medical professionals. Methods: Sixty students were involved in our single blinded randomized controlled study. Six homogenized groups were created then randomized into three groups of distance learning and three groups of in-person teaching. The groups completed the same curriculum using our own “SkillBox”. All students took the same pre- and post-course test evaluated blindly. The students filled out an online feedback form after the course. A financial analysis was also made. Results: There was no significant difference in the post-course exam results (distance 28.200 vs. in-person 25.200). We managed to achieve significantly better improvements in the distance learning of suturing (distance 19.967 vs. in-person 15.900, p = 0.043). According to 93% of the study group students, the quality of teaching did not decrease compared to the traditional classes. Conclusion: The results of the students improved similarly in distance learning and in-person education. The online form of teaching was received positively among the students;they found it an effective and good alternative.