A first experimental test of de Broglie-Bohm theory against standard quantum mechanics

De Broglie - Bohm (dBB) theory is a deterministic theory, built for reproducing almost all Quantum Mechanics (QM) predictions, where position plays the role of a hidden variable. It was recently shown that different coincidence patterns are predicted by QM and dBB when a double slit experiment is realised under specific conditions and, therefore, an experiment can test the two theories. In this letter we present the first realisation of such a double slit experiment by using correlated photons produced in type I Parametric Down Conversion. Our results confirm QM contradicting dBB predictions

Cultural adaptation of the Italian version of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (PRO-CTCAE®)

Introduction: US National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE®) is a library of 78 symptom terms and 124 items enabling patient reporting of symptomatic adverse events in cancer trials. This multicenter study used mixed methods to develop an Italian language version of this widely accepted measure, and describe the content validity and reliability in a diverse sample of Italian-speaking patients. Methods: All PRO-CTCAE items were translated in accordance with international guidelines. Subsequently, the content validity of the PRO-CTCAE-Italian was explored and iteratively refined through cognitive debriefing interviews. Participants (n=96; 52% male; median age 64 years; 26% older adults; 18% lower educational attainment) completed a PRO-CTCAE survey and participated in a semi-structured interview to determine if the translation captured the concepts of the original English language PRO-CTCAE, and to evaluate comprehension, clarity and ease of judgement. Test-retest reliability of the finalized measure was explored in a second sample (n=135). Results: Four rounds of cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted. The majority of PRO-CTCAE symptom terms, attributes and associated response choices were well-understood, and respondents found the items easy to judge. To improve comprehension and clarity, the symptom terms for nausea and pain were rephrased and retested in subsequent interview rounds. Test-retest reliability was excellent for 41/49 items (84%); the median intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.83 (range 0.64-0.94). Discussion: Results support the semantic, conceptual and pragmatic equivalence of PRO-CTCAE-Italian to the original English version, and provide preliminary descriptive evidence of content validity and reliability

AI DO ETHICS - Artificial Intelligence and Innovation in Economics and Business. Developing skills by Ethics

Il progetto concepisce in modo integrato ricerca, formazione, servizio alla societ\ue0 ed al mondo dell\u2019impresa, promuovendo un uso delle tecnologie finalizzato a migliorare la vita delle persone, tra cui oltre un miliardo con disabilit\ue0, e offrendo alle imprese possibilit\ue0 di business innovation. L\u2019etica non pu\uf2 essere intesa come una prospettiva meramente contenitiva e limitativa, che indica solo sensi vietati. \uc8 un errore considerarla come un mero impedimento allo sviluppo tecnologico. Questa visione ristretta non fa giustizia al ruolo generativo che la riflessione etica svolge nello stimolare l\u2019innovazione: proprio quando sono in gioco i valori pi\uf9 profondi \u2013 come la privacy, l\u2019autonomia, la sicurezza, la fiducia, l\u2019equit\ue0, allora sono pi\uf9 necessari lo sforzo dell\u2019ingegno, lo spirito critico e il dibattito pubblico per trovare nuove soluzioni, capaci anche di \u201cdemocratizzare\u201d la tecnologia. L\u2019etica pu\uf2 essere un driver dell\u2019innovazione \u2013 sia tecnologica che sociale, una risorsa per societ\ue0 pi\uf9 cooperative, resilienti, solidali, capaci di un abitare veramente smart. Nell\u2019attuale contesto le traiettorie di sviluppo della tecnologia rendono urgente: a) saper problematizzare le questioni, esercitando uno spirito critico capace di responsabilit\ue0, b) saper comunicare potenzialit\ue0, prospettive, visioni strategiche, cos\uec come problematicit\ue0, suggerimenti, alert, c) approfondire la problematica relativa alla individuazione di valori etici condivisibili, nella complessit\ue0 di un contesto socio-culturale in cui i codici di riferimento sono plurali e complessi; d) formare la \u201csensibilit\ue0 etica\u201d gi\ue0 a partire dall\u2019esperienza scolastica, ovvero una postura capace di razionalit\ue0 pratica; d) allenare attitudini e comportamenti cooperativi

Italian Survey on adjuvant treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Background: A recent pooled analysis of randomized trials indicated significant improvement in overall survival from cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), depending on disease stage (only in stages II and III) and PS (≤1). Post-operative radiotherapy (RT) is optional for pN2 tumours. Patients and methods: To evaluate opinions and daily clinical practice of Italian Oncologists about adjuvant treatment of NSCLC, a 46-item questionnaire was delivered via e-mail. Results: Seventy-eight physicians from 68 Centers (out of 98 contacted) returned their questionnaire. Seventy-four, 86, 94, and 78% of them give the indication for adjuvant chemotherapy for stage IIA, IIB, IIIA, and IIIB disease, respectively and 14% in stage IB disease. Stage, PS, and age are taken into consideration evaluating adjuvant approach by 97, 95 and 73%, respectively. Cisplatin-vinorelbine (64%) and cisplatin-gemcitabine (33%), for 4 cycles (81%), are the preferred regimens, while 32% use different regimens. Ninety-two percent indicate RT in pN2 disease and/or positive resection margins. Real Number of patients Needed to Treat (NNT) is probably not completely known/understood and/or used by physicians. Conclusions: A substantial adherence between clinical daily practice in Italy and scientific progresses is described in this paper, even with some discordances regarding the most appropriate adjuvant chemotherapy regime