Valorizzazione del capitale umano e contrasto alla disoccupazione tecnologica

The introduction of ICT in production processes has led to a profound change in the Italian professional structure. A greater demand for technical and soft skills has facilitated a process of substitution of those not properly trained workers. The nanismoof Italian company with a strong presence of the production units in the traditional economic sectors has increased the gap between the quality of de-mand for Italian work from that of other countries. The reluctance of companies to invest in new technologies and training programs for the workforce has negatively affected the growth rate oflabor productivity. Wage moderation and the privatiza-tion of the Nineties have further discouraged economic decisions favourableto capital augmentinginnovationwith the aim of exploiting the cheap labor through labor augmenting productive organizations.In this context, the role of public insti-tutions in terms of training becomes crucial. Create a National Agency of Educa-tion means putting in place a training network can address the employment effects of innovation. A technological development that can make a upgrading the labor market presupposes a system of services for the employment in which social poli-cies are able to ensure to all individuals the same opportunities for learning

Verso una nuova economia sociale

Analizzando la disoccupazione tecnologica come un allungamento dei tempi della disoccupazione frizionale, diviene evidente come la formazione e l'aggiornamento del capitale umano risultano essere fondamentali per un corretto reinserimento dei lavoratori che hanno perso il loro posto di lavoro a causa dei processi di automazione e della transizione a un'economia dei servizi. Superate le paure dettate da una possibile "jobless society" e mantenendo una visione critica delle prospettive economiche che si rifanno al motto "laissez faire, laissez passer", emerge come le istituzioni pubbliche e il Terzo Settore divengono degli attori socio-economici di primaria importanza nei percorsi di reinserimento occupazionale dei disoccupati e degli scoraggiati. In particolare il Terzo Settore, attraverso interventi di natura culturale e formativa, favorisce una diffusione di quelle skills (soprattutto le digital skills e le soft skills) che riducono le distanze tra l'offerta e la domanda di lavoro diminuendo i rischi dell'insorgenza di una disoccupazione di tipo frizionale

Application study of the ForcetriadTM energy platform with LigasureTM sealing device in oncological and soft tissue surgery in dog

Questo studio prospettico valuta l’efficacia e i vantaggi del sistema LigasureTM rispetto alle tecniche chirurgiche tradizionali, in quattro differenti procedure eseguite su 77 cani. I soggetti sono stati suddivisi in 4 gruppi, a seconda della chirurgia eseguita: Gruppo 1, 25 pazienti sottoposti a Splenectomia “aperta” semplice; Gruppo 2, 15 pazienti sottoposti a Splenectomia “aperta” complessa; Gruppo 3, 22 pazienti sottoposti ad Ovariectomia “aperta”. Gruppo 4: 18 pazienti sottoposti a Linfoadenectomia. Ciascun gruppo è stato a sua volta suddiviso in due sottogruppi: a (LigasureTM) e b (Tradizionale), a seconda della metodica utilizzata. Sono stati analizzati: il segnalamento, i parametri ematologici, le condizioni cliniche, le informazioni riguardanti l’intervento chirurgico e l’outcome. In tutti i gruppi il ricorso all’utilizzo di garze nonché dei fili da sutura sono risultati statisticamente inferiori nei pazienti operati con il sistema a radiofrequenza (Gruppo 1, P < 0.0001; Gruppo 2, P < 0,0014; Gruppo 3, P = 0,0001; Gruppo 4, P = 0,0148). Anche i tempi per la rimozione dell’organo sono significativamente ridotti in tutti i gruppi in cui è stato utilizzato il sistema LigasureTM (Gruppo 1 P < 0.0001; Gruppo 2 P < 0,0014; Gruppo 3 P = 0,0009; Gruppo 4 P = 0,0008), come i tempi chirurgici nei gruppi 1, 2 e 3 (P = 0,0287; P = 0,0064; e P = 0,0124) ed anestesiologici nei gruppi 1a e 2a (P = 0,0176; P = 0,0043). Tra le variabili analizzate, l’utilizzo del sistema di sintesi vascolare a radiofrequenza, è l’unico ad influenzare i tempi necessari per l’esecuzione della procedura. Questo studio dimostra, quindi, come il sistema LigasureTM sia sicuro ed efficace per le procedure chirurgiche esaminate, riducendo i tempi della chirurgia e limitando, quindi, i rischi per il paziente, indipendentemente dall’operatore, dall’esecuzione di altre procedure contemporanee e dalla natura della patologia splenica o linfonodale.The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the efficacy and the advantages of the LigasureTM device with the conventional surgical technique (Ligation tecnique, in four different surgical procedures in 77 dogs. All subjects were assigned into four groups, according to the surgical procedure performed: Group 1, 25 patients having “open” simple splenectomy; Group 2, 15 patients having “open” complex splenectomy; Group 3: 22 dogs having “open” ovariectomy; Group 4: 18 dogs having lymphadenectomy. For each group, patients were randomly assigned into two subgroups: a (LigasureTM)and b (Traditional), depending on surgical technique. Data collected for each dog included: signalment, complete blood count, biochemistry,urinalysis, clinical status, surgical records and outcome. For all groups, gauzes number used was statistically lower in vessels sealing device group (Group 1, P < 0.0001; Group 2, P < 0,0014; Group 3, P = 0,0001; Group 4, P = 0,0148), likewise suture material consumption. Moreover, even time for tissue/organ removal was shorter when LigasureTM was used for all the procedures (Group 1, P < 0.0001; Gruop 2, P < 0,0014; Gruop 3, P = 0,0009; Group 4, P = 0,0008). As regards the assessment of operative times, these were also significantly lower in Group 1, 2 and 3 (respectively P = 0,0287, P = 0,0064 and P = 0,0124), meanwhile anesthesiological time were lower in Group 1 and 2 (P = 0,0176 and P = 0,0043). The incidence of postoperative complications was similar regardless of the surgical technique used. This study shows how LigasureTM is safe and effective for performing splenectomy,ovariectomy and limphadenectomy in dog, reducing mean operative time and so,potentially decreasing risk to the patient. This was true despite the experience/training of the surgeon, the performance of other surgical procedures, and histopathologic nature of the splenic or lymph node disease

Signatures of Associative Memory Behavior in a Multimode Dicke Model

© 2020 American Physical Society. Dicke-like models can describe a variety of physical systems, such as atoms in a cavity or vibrating ion chains. In equilibrium these systems often feature a radical change in their behavior when switching from weak to strong spin-boson interaction. This usually manifests in a transition from a "dark"to a "superradiant"phase. However, understanding the out-of-equilibrium physics of these models is extremely challenging, and even more so for strong spin-boson coupling. Here we show that the nonequilibrium strongly interacting multimode Dicke model can mimic some fundamental properties of an associative memory - a system which permits the recognition of patterns, such as letters of an alphabet. Patterns are encoded in the couplings between spins and bosons, and we discuss the dynamics of the spins from the perspective of pattern retrieval in associative memory models. We identify two phases, a "paramagnetic"and a "ferromagnetic"one, and a crossover behavior between these regimes. The "ferromagnetic"phase is reminiscent of pattern retrieval. We highlight similarities and differences with the thermal dynamics of a Hopfield associative memory and show that indeed elements of "machine learning behavior"emerge in the strongly coupled multimode Dicke model

Dynamics of strongly coupled disordered dissipative spin-boson systems

Spin-boson Hamiltonians are an effective description for numerous quantum few-and many-body systems such as atoms coupled to cavity modes, quantum electrodynamics in circuits and trapped ion systems. While reaching the limit of strong coupling is possible in current experiments, the understanding of the physics in this parameter regime remains a challenge, especially when disorder and dissipation are taken into account. Here we investigate a regime where the spin dynamics can be related to a Ising energy function defined in terms of the spin-boson couplings. While in the coherent weak coupling regime it is known that an effective description in terms of spin Hamiltonian is possible, we show that a similar viewpoint can be adopted in the presence of dissipation and strong couplings. The resulting dynamics features approximately thermal regimes, separated by out-of-equilibrium ones in which detailed balance is broken. Moreover, we show that under appropriately chosen conditions one can even achieve cooling of the spin degrees of freedom. This points towards the possibility of using strongly coupled dissipative spin-boson systems for engineering complex energy landscapes together with an appropriate cooling dynamics

Flow-volume curve analysis for predicting recurrence after endoscopic dilation of airway stenosis

The flow-volume curve is a simple test for diagnosing upper airway obstruction. We evaluated its use to predict recurrence in patients undergoing endoscopic dilation for treatment of benign upper airway stenosis

Mean-field dynamics of open quantum systems with collective operator-valued rates: validity and application

We consider a class of open quantum many-body Lindblad dynamics characterized by an all-to-all coupling Hamiltonian and by dissipation featuring collective ``state-dependent" rates. The latter encodes local incoherent transitions that depend on average properties of the system. This type of open quantum dynamics can be seen as a generalization of classical (mean-field) stochastic Markov dynamics, in which transitions depend on the instantaneous configuration of the system, to the quantum domain. We study the time evolution in the limit of infinitely large systems, and we demonstrate the exactness of the mean-field equations for the dynamics of average operators. We further derive the effective dynamical generator governing the time evolution of (quasi-)local operators. Our results allow for a rigorous and systematic investigation of the impact of quantum effects on paradigmatic classical models, such as quantum generalized Hopfield associative memories or (mean-field) kinetically-constrained models

A modified technique to simplify external fixation of the subglottic silicone stent

Several techniques have been previously proposed to fix silicone stents for subglottic tracheal stenosis. However, they require special tools or cumbersome manoeuvres. The proposed modified procedure offers a potential alternative fixing technique using absorbable suture buried subcutaneously and not requiring special devices. This procedure was successfully performed in 27 patients with inoperable complex subglottic stenosis. The mean distance from vocal folds, the mean length and mean diameter of stenosis were 17 ± 2 mm, 20 ± 2.9 mm and 6.9 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. The mean procedural time for fixing the stent was 5 ± 0.3 min. No intraoperative or postoperative complications such as stent damage, dislocation, plugging or vocal folds dysfunction were reported (mean follow-up 20 ± 7.7 months)

Unidirectional endobronchial valves for management of persistent air-leaks. Results of a multicenter study

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of Endo-Bronchial Valves in the management of persistent air-leaks (PALs) and the procedural cost. Methods: It was a retrospective multicenter study including consecutive patients with PALs for alveolar pleural fistula (APF) undergoing valve treatment. We assessed the efficacy and the cost of the procedure. Results: Seventy-four patients with persistent air leaks due to various etiologies were included in the analysis. In all cases the air leaks were severe and refractory to standard treatments. Sixty-seven (91%) patients underwent valve treatment obtaining a complete resolution of air-leaks in 59 (88%) patients; a reduction of air-leaks in 6 (9%); and no benefits in 2 (3%). The comparison of data before and after valve treatment showed a significant reduction of air-leak duration (16.2±8.8 versus 5.0±1.7 days; P<0.0001); chest tube removal (16.2±8.8 versus 7.3±2.7 days; P<0.0001); and length of hospital stay (LOS) (16.2±8.8 versus 9.7±2.8 days; P=0.004). Seven patients not undergoing valve treatment underwent pneumo-peritoneum with pleurodesis (n=6) or only pleurodesis (n=1). In only 1 (14%) patient, the chest drainage was removed 23 days later while the remaining 6 (86%) were discharged with a domiciliary chest drainage removed after 157±41 days. No significant difference was found in health cost before and after endobronchial valve (EBV) implant (P=0.3). Conclusions: Valve treatment for persistent air leaks is an effective procedure. The reduction of hospitalization costs related to early resolution of air-leaks could overcome the procedural cost

Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection screening before thoracic surgery during COVID-19 pandemic: a multicenter retrospective study

Objectives. During coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, preoperative screening before thoracic surgery is paramount in order to protect patients and staff from undetected infections. This study aimed to determine which preoperative COVID-19 screening tool was the most effective strategy before thoracic surgery. Methods. This retrospective cohort multicenter study was performed at 3 Italian thoracic surgery centers. All adult patients scheduled for thoracic surgery procedures from 4th March until 24th April, 2020, and submitted to COVID-19 preoperative screenings were included. The primary outcome was the yield of screening of the different strategies. Results. A total of 430 screenings were performed on 275 patients; 275 anamnestic questionnaires were administered. 77 patients were screened by an anamnestic questionnaire and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 78 patients were selected to combine screening with anamnestic questionnaire and chest computed tomography (CT). The positive yield of screening using a combination of anamnestic questionnaire and RT-PCR was 7.8% (95% CI: 2.6-14.3), while using a combination of anamnestic questionnaire and chest CT was 3.8% (95% CI: 0-9). Individual yields were 1.1% (95% CI: 0-2.5) for anamnestic questionnaire, 5.2% (95% CI: 1.3-11.7) for RT-PCR, and 3.8% (95% CI: 0-9). Conclusions. The association of anamnestic questionnaire and RT-PCR is able to detect around 8 positives in 100 asymptomatic patients. This combined strategy could be a valuable preoperative SARS-CoV-2 screening tool before thoracic surgery