Measure-valued affine and polynomial diffusions

We introduce a class of measure-valued processes, which – in analogy to their finite dimensional counterparts – will be called measure-valued polynomial diffusions. We show the so-called moment formula, i.e. a representation of the conditional marginal moments via a system of finite dimensional linear PDEs. Furthermore, we characterize the corresponding infinitesimal generators and obtain a representa- tion analogous to polynomial diffusions on Rm+ , in cases where their domain is large enough. In general the infinite dimensional setting allows for richer specifications strictly beyond this representation. As a special case we recover measure-valued affine diffusions, sometimes also called Dawson-Watanabe superprocesses. From a mathematical finance point of view the polynomial framework is especially attractive as it allows to transfer the most famous finite dimensional models, such as the Black-Scholes model, to an infinite dimensional measure-valued setting. We outline in particular the applicability of our approach for term structure modeling in energy markets

“Restsprachen” in ancient Anatolia: Direct and indirect sources, transmission and reconstruction

Questo articolo si interroga sulla possibilità di conoscere le lingue anatoliche di attestazione frammentaria attraverso le fonti secondarie. Dopo aver fornito una discussione generale sui problemi che sorgono dall'uso di definizioni quali “fonti dirette” e “fonti indirette”, nonché “Korpussprachen”, “Restsprachen” e “Trümmersprachen”, offriremo un nuovo approccio multidimensionale all'analisi delle espressioni linguistiche che ci sono giunte attraverso un percorso mediato. A tal fine, occorre prendere in considerazione i diversi livelli di mediazione - cronologica, linguistica, filologica e testuale - che possono essere coinvolti nella trasmissione di una determinata forma linguistica dalla sua fonte originale al documento che la attesta. Un'applicazione del nostro approccio sarà ricavata dall'analisi di alcune glosse anatoliche (principalmente lidio) presenti nel Lessico di Esichio (V/VI secolo d.C.), al fine di mostrare come questi diversi livelli di mediazione interagiscano nella trasmissione di lessemi non greci nell'opera di Esichio, come testimoniato dal manoscritto Marc. Gr. Z. 622 (ca. 1410-1430 d.C.)This paper questions the possibility of knowing Anatolian languages of fragmentary attestation through secondary sources. After having provided a general discussion on the problems that arise from the use of definitions such as ‘direct’ vs. ‘indirect’ sources, as well as ‘Korpussprachen’, ‘Restsprachen’, and ‘Trümmersprachen’, we will offer a new multidimensional approach to the analysis of linguistic expressions that have reached us through a mediated pathway. For this purpose, one should take into account the different levels of mediation—i.e., chronological, linguistic, philological, and textual—that can be involved in the transmission of a given linguistic form from its original source to the document that actually attests it. An application of our approach will be sourced from analysing some Anatolian (mainly Lydian) glosses found in the Lexicon by Hesychius (5th/6th century CE), in order to show how these different levels of mediation interact in the transmission of non-Greek lexemes into Hesychius’ work as witnessed in the manuscript Venet. Marc. Gr. Z. 622 (ca. 1410–1430 CE

Il fine vita pediatrico tra categorie classiche e approdi del diritto minorile. Osservazioni a margine del documento del Comitato etico per la pratica clinica pediatrica dell’Azienda ospedaliera-Università di Padova

Fine vita dei minor

Reframing Suspicion

The special issue of the journal Leaves explores how the phenomenon of suspicion can usefully be defined, re-defined and critically questioned by American and Anglophone Literature and cultural practices.

Genomic Profiling of Rare Undifferentiated Sarcomatoid Subtypes of Pancreatic Carcinomas: In Search of Therapeutic Targets

Purpose: The highly aggressive undifferentiated sarcomatoid carcinoma (USC) subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains poorly characterized because of its rarity. Previous case reports suggest that immune checkpoint inhibitors could be a promising treatment strategy, but the prevalence of established predictive biomarkers of response is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to leverage comprehensive genomic profiling of USC PDAC tumors to determine the prevalence of biomarkers associated with potential response to targeted therapies. Methods: USC tumors (n = 20) underwent central pathology review by a board-certified gastrointestinal pathologist to confirm the diagnosis. These samples were compared with non-USC PDAC tumors (N = 5,562). Retrospective analysis of DNA and RNA next-generation sequencing data was performed. Results: USC PDACs were more frequently PD-L1+ by immunohistochemistry than non-USC PDAC (63% v 16%, respectively, P < .001). Furthermore, USC PDAC had an increase in neutrophils (8.99% v 5.55%, P = .005) and dendritic cells (1.08% v 0.00%, q = 0.022) and an increased expression of PDCD1LG2 (4.6% v 1.3%, q = 0.001), PDCD1 (2.0% v 0.8%, q = 0.060), and HAVCR2 (45.9% v 21.7%, q = 0.107) than non-USC PDAC. Similar to non-USC PDAC, KRAS was the most commonly mutated gene (86% v 90%, respectively, P = 1). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this work represents the largest molecular analysis of USC tumors to date and showed an increased expression of immune checkpoint genes in USC tumors. These findings provide evidence for further investigation into immune checkpoint inhibitors in USC tumors

Physical activity and exercise programs for kidney patients: an Italian survey of nephrology centres

Background: Data on exercise activities in place, and on the interest for developing them in Nephrology Services in Italy is limited. To address this gap, we carried out this cross-sectional study to investigate the status of physical activity and exercise programs available in Italian Nephrology Centres. Additionally, research priorities on this topic were examined. Methods: We developed a 14-item electronic survey, which consisted of multiple-choice questions covering exercise training programs, physical assessment, barriers to exercise practice and to exercise programs, exercise and physical activity counselling practices, perceived exercise benefits, literature evidence, and research priorities. Data on the characteristics of the centres were also collected. Results: Sixty-two responses from Italian nephrology centres were collected. Ninety-three percent of the respondents were aware of the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of regular exercise programs for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Additionally, in 75% of centres the nephrologists believed that physical activity counselling should be performed by the nephrologists. However, only 26% of centres provided exercise programs, mainly for dialysis patients, and 63% never or infrequently assessed physical activity in the context of patient management. Eighty-nine percent of centres reported barriers to implementing exercise programs, including lack of funding, institutional disinterest, patient refusal, and negative attitudes of the healthcare personnel. Forty-six research priorities related to exercise in CKD patients were suggested, with the majority focusing on impact of exercise programs and physical activity on cardiovascular, nutritional, and psychosocial outcomes. Conclusion: This survey highlights the limited availability of exercise programs and physical activity evaluation in clinical practice in Italian Nephrology Centres. However, the survey also revealed a strong interest for counselling CKD patients on physical activity and implementing exercise prescriptions and interventions

Campodavanti e Mesole: la ricognizione 2019; Le strutture individuate a Campodavanti e Mesole.

Si presentano le strutture individuate nell'indagine archeologica a Campodavanti sulle Piccole Dolomiti

Perspectives of European Patient Advocacy Groups on Volunteer Registries and Vaccine Trials: VACCELERATE Survey Study

Background: The VACCELERATE Pan-European Scientific network aims to strengthen the foundation of vaccine trial research across Europe by following the principles of equity, inclusion, and diversity. The VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry network provides access to vaccine trial sites across the European region and supports a sustainable volunteer platform for identifying potential participants for forthcoming vaccine clinical research. Objective: The aim of this study was to approach members of patient advocacy groups (PAGs) across Europe to assess their willingness to register for the VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry and their perspectives related to participating in vaccine trials. Methods: In an effort to understand how to increase recruitment for the VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry, a standardized survey was developed in English and translated into 8 different languages (Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish) by the respective National Coordinator team. The online, anonymous survey was circulated, from March 2022 to May 2022, to PAGs across 10 European countries (Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Sweden) to share with their members. The questionnaire constituted of multiple choice and open-ended questions evaluating information regarding participants' perceptions on participating in vaccine trials and their willingness to become involved in the VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry. Results: In total, 520 responses were collected and analyzed. The PAG members reported that the principal criteria influencing their decision to participate in clinical trials overall are (1) the risks involved, (2) the benefits that will be gained from their potential participation, and (3) the quality and quantity of information provided regarding the trial. The survey revealed that, out of the 520 respondents, 133 individuals across all age groups were "positive" toward registering in the VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry, with an additional 47 individuals reporting being "very positive." Respondents from Northern European countries were 1.725 (95% CI 1.206-2.468) times more likely to be willing to participate in the VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry than respondents from Southern European countries. Conclusions: Factors discouraging participants from joining vaccine trial registries or clinical trials primarily include concerns of the safety of novel vaccines and a lack of trust in those involved in vaccine development. These outcomes aid in identifying issues and setbacks in present registries, providing the VACCELERATE network with feedback on how to potentially increase participation and enrollment in trials across Europe. Development of European health communication strategies among diverse public communities, especially via PAGs, is the key for increasing patients' willingness to participate in clinical studies

In times of trouble, what is the role of lifelong education and educators?

Research and practice of adult and lifelong education and educators has always been tinged with ethical considerations, arguments and debate. Sometimes, the ethical dimension appears muted – such as when the focus is on attitudes to skill acquisition – but at other times, adult and lifelong education is positioned as a distinct force of good through its role in realising social justice, personal realisation and spiritual goals. While it would never be possible or desirable to mandate an overarching moral purpose for our extremely diverse field, the history of the field’s scholarship and the ethical tenor of leading authors make it reasonable to ponder our role at a time when key institutions of order appear to be teetering and whole communities are suffering the ravages of inhuman brutality. This is at a time when our knowledge, skills – our learning – and technical and artistic achievements are reaching dizzying heights. These are times of trouble, and adult and lifelong education may offer one platform for hope. In this editorial, we bring to mind ethical arguments and claims of the field from the past, and tap into the recent work of Bagnall and Hodge (2022) which sought to analyse manifestations of the field in terms of linked ethical and epistemological paradigms. We conclude that although our field is marked by legitimate epistemological diversity, adult and lifelong educational practice is always ethically charged in some way and for that reason carries the seeds of hope for a better world over and above imperatives of meeting immediate needs and goals

Metamorphoses of Authorship in the Age of the Mechanical Reproduction of Texts

While recent research has partially downplayed the impact of the printing revolution by inserting it in a communication system which also included the manuscript, orality and their amalgams, it remains one of the most significant scenarios in contextualizing developments in authorship during the Renaissance. These developments interacted with a series of other cultural phenomena: the rise of individuality in a period of enduring collective identities; the influence of imitatio on cultural production practices and the limits to the appreciation of originality; the relationships between authors and readers; self-fashioning and the paths of biographical writing; the dynamics of power and censorship; the revaluation of technical-practical skills and the redefinition of intellectual profiles in a period characterized by a ‘decompartmentalization of knowledge’ and the ‘reduction into art’ of new disciplinary fields. By briefly revisiting such phenomena, this essay aims to show that the notion of the ‘author function’ formulated fifty years ago by Michel Foucault remains a heuristically fruitful category for interpreting the cultural developments of the period