Social Preferences in Wage Bargaining: a Neocorporatist Approach

The starting point in this paper is based on the strand of the literature on corporatist systems stressing the role of co-operation and consensus in wage bargaining in order to reach better economic performances. In order to model a co-operative regime in the classical framework in which the monopoly union controls wages and the firm controls employment, we introduce social preferences with some degree of other-regarding concern(ORC) such that each agent's objective function is a linear combination of her own welfare and the other's. The results show that under specific conditions concerning the degree of ORC, one may obtain an employment level higher than in the selfish case and wage moderation.wage bargaining; corporatism; cooperation; social preferences

Exploring a new business model for lending processes in the banking sector using Blockchain technology: An Italian case study

Blockchain is a decentralized information technology (IT) architecture that has garnered significant attention across various sectors of the global economy. In the banking sector, blockchain was initially used for cryptocurrency trading and later expanded to encompass smart contracts, peerto- peer transactions, and other banking services. In recent years, blockchain technology (BT) has been applied to streamline less standardized credit processes and to successfully support mortgage credit through decentralized recording on ledgers. Employing a qualitative research approach, this paper proposes a novel business model for small banks that utilizes new-generation information technologies to enhance loan profitability. While previous research has linked BT to lending processes, this study is the first to propose a BT application for reshaping traditional banking practices, especially for commercial banks. The research findings demonstrate that blockchain implementation offers advantages in containing information asymmetries, managing credit rationing, and driving business innovation

Comparison and regularity results for the fractional Laplacian via symmetrization methods

In this paper we establish a comparison result through symmetrization for solutions to some boundary value problems involving the fractional Laplacian. This allows to get sharp estimates for the solutions, obtained by comparing them with solutions of suitable radial problems. Furthermore, we use such result to prove a priori estimates for solutions in terms of the data, providing several regularity results which extend the well known ones for the classical Laplacian.Comment: 23 pages, 1 figur

Algorithms for the Sum of Discrete Random Variables. Actuarial Applications

In literature, the sum of discrete random variables becomes a problem of heavy (and often impracticable) computation no sooner does the number of convolutions exceed few units (at most in actuarial applications). In this paper, we show how this problem can be easily overcome when using random variables with integer (positive, negative, or null) or referable to integer numerical realizations but not necessarily identically distributed. Under the above-mentioned condition, we illustrate in particular two exact methods and an approximated one for calculating convolution: - the first exact method is based on the well-known Fast Fourier Transform (FFT); - the second exact method is derived from the classical approach using Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) by means of algebraic manipulations; - the third method is derived from the definition of convolution and it is approximated by neglecting the probabilities less than a given bound ? =10-h (51?h?100)**. As for the error bounds of the approximated method, it is worth noting that the results obtained by this method differ in relative terms from the corresponding exact values of less than 10-9. This can be tested by comparing the convoluted probability distribution obtained by the approximated method with the one obtained by the other two methods and by also comparing the first four moments with those computed directly on the original random variables. The results (in particular the exact and the approximated probability distribution) are identical in practice. It does not exist therefore the problem of a difference along the tail. As a consequence, although the proposed method is an “approximated method” under a mathematical point of view, it can be considered an “exact method” in the actuarial applications. As for the efficiency of calculation, we have to distinguish between the simple sum of discrete random variables and the calculation of compound distributions with prefixed counting distributions (i.g. Poisson, Negative Binomial, Pareto): - in the first case, the approximated method and the second exact method are similar but the approximated method gives further information about the random variables (for instance, the information about the independence using some properties of the characteristic functions); - in the second case, only the approximated method is applicable in practice. Finally, in the conditions of interest, the exact method using FFT is less efficient than the other methods and it has a more limited application field

Resistance in Candida albicans: exploring the cell wall barrier by proteomics

The incidence of candidiasis has dramatically increased and bloodstream infections due to different species of Candida are becoming a prime cause of morbidity and mortality in different types of immunocompromised patients. Azole and echinocandin drug resistance accounts for the dramatic increase in incidence of nosocomial bloodstream candidiasis found in recent years. Cell wall constitutes the barrier between the yeast and the host and resistant strains change the proteome of this compartment. In the last decade different proteomic platforms have been applied to study cell wall and markers of resistance to drugs have been pointed out. Modulation of these proteins seem to suggest that although resistance is based on a specific mutation able to counteract the toxicity of the antifungal drug, a set of other molecular modifications takes place contemporary or subsequently the establishment of the resistance and seems to support the viability of the resistant yeast. Profiled proteins by proteomics may be valuable in design therapy using classical antifungal along with complementary drugs able to abolish pathways that strengthen the resistance and attenuate virulence of the mutated cell

Assemblies as Semigroups

In this paper we give an algebraic characterization of assemblies in terms of bands of groups. We also consider substructures and homomorphisms of assemblies. We give many examples and counterexamples

Studio dei meccanismi molecolari alla base dell’azione dei microRNA in processi patologici

2014 - 2015My research project concerns the study of the molecular mechanisms involving microRNAs (miRNAs) in pathological processes such as tumors and cardiovascular diseases. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) acting by modulating post-transcriptionally gene expression of specific mRNA target. Many studies have shown that the aberrant expression of these sncRNA is closely correlated with the onset of many diseases, including cancer and occlusive cardiovascular syndromes. Therefore, the study was conducted on three different experimental models such as activated platelets in vitro, tumor tissues of endometrial cancer (EC) and breast cancer (BC) cells expressing the estrogen receptor β (ERβ). Platelet activation is involved not only in physiological processes as haemostasis but also in the thrombogenesis and the pathogenesis of occlusive cardiovascular disorders including Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS). However, the several events of resistance to antithrombotic therapies suggest the existence of mechanisms, at the basis of the activation process, still not known. The data that I obtained, following ex vivo activation of platelets from healthy donors, demonstrated the existence of miRNA pathway maturation in platelets and a significant reorganization of platelet proteome mediated by miRNAs upon activation. EC is one of the most frequent types of cancer affecting the female population and devopls, in most of cases, from an hyperplastic condition. I identified changes in the expression of miRNAs and other sncRNAs from paired normal, hyperplastic and cancerous endometrial tissues obtained by hysteroscopy. The results obtained allowed me to define a signature of sncRNAs deregulated in neoplastic transformation, characterized by 129 miRNAs, 10 piRNAs (PIWI-interacting RNAs) and 3 snoRNAs (small nucleolar RNAs). Moreover, in silico analysis of downstream targets revealed that these endometrial sncRNAs are involved in several cellular processes and canonical pathways, including TGF-β, ERK/MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. In 70% of the cases BC is a hormone-responsive tumor since cells are able to respond to proliferative stimuli induced by estrogens thanks to estrogen receptors (ERs). Recent studies have shown that unliganded-ERβ is equally distributed between the nucleus and cytoplasm and that its presence determines a reduction of cell growth. In this study, by applying gene expression profiling and in vivo global mapping of ERβ binding site to genome, I have demonstrated that the receptor is able to regulate gene expression at transcriptional level also in the absence of ligand. The results obtained from smallRNA-seq experiments revealed that miRNAs expression profile is influenced by costitutive-ERβ activity in MCF-7 BC cells. Proteomic analysis of molecular partners of unliganded ERβ showed an association with Argonaute 2 (AGO2). RNA immunoprecipitation coupled to massive parallel sequencing (RIP-Seq) experiments revealed that ERβ-AGO2/miRNA complex is able to bind and regulate at post-transcriptional level specific mRNAs involved in several biological pathways in BC cells deprived of hormonal stimuli. [edited by author]XIV n.s

CybeRisk Management in Banks: An Italian Case Study

The financial sector is exposed to the risk of cyber-attacks like any other industrial sector. Furthermore, the topic of CybeRisk (cyber risk) has become particularly relevant given that Information Technology (IT) attacks have increased drastically in recent years, and cannot be stopped by single organizations requiring a response at international and national level. IT risk is never a matter purely for the IT manager, although he clearly plays a key role. A bank's risk management function requires a thorough understanding of the evolving risks as well as the tools and practical techniques available to address them. Upon the request of European and national legislation regarding CybeRisk in the financial system, banks are therefore called upon to strengthen the operational model for CybeRisk management. This will require an important change with a more intense collaboration with the structures that deal with information security for the development of an ad hoc system for the evaluation and control of this type of risk. The aim of the work is to propose a framework for the management and control of CybeRisk that will bridge the gap in the literature regarding the understanding and consideration of CybeRisk as an integral part of business management. The IT function has a strong relevance in the management of CybeRisk, which is perceived mainly as operational risk, but with a positive tendency on the part of risk management to the identification of CybeRisk assessment methods that are increasingly complete, quantitative and able to better describe the possible impacts on the business. The paper provides answers to the research questions: Is it possible to define a CybeRisk governance structure able to support the comparison between risk and security? How can the relationships between IT assets be integrated into a cyberisk assessment framework to guarantee a system of protection and risks control? From a methodological point of view, this research uses a case study approach. The choice of “Monte dei Paschi di Siena” was determined by the specific features of one of Italy’s biggest lenders. It is chosen to use an intensive research strategy: an in-depth study of reality. The case study methodology is an empirical approach to explore a complex and current phenomenon that develops over time. The use of cases has also the advantage of allowing the deepening of aspects concerning the "how" and "why" of contemporary events, on which the scholar has little control. The research bases on quantitative data and qualitative information obtained through semi-structured interviews of an open-ended nature and questionnaires to directors, members of the audit committee, risk, IT and compliance managers, and those responsible for internal audit function and anti-money laundering. The added value of the paper can be seen in the development of a framework based on a mapping of IT assets from which it is possible to identify their relationships for purposes of a more effective management and control of cyber risk

Membrane protein remodeling in microglia exposed to amyloid peptides

Infection, neurodegeneration, and other conditions associated with loss of brain homeostasis, induce changes in microglial morphology, gene expression and function, generally referred to as “activation”. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common dementia and is characterized by neuroinfammatory changes, including alterations in the morphology and distribution of microglia and astrocytes, and deposition of complement and other infammatory mediators. Our previous observations show that microglial cells challenged in vitro with amyloid peptides clustered and rounded up, dramatically changing their morphology. Besides, in these cells we observed the early acetylation and then the phosphorylation of STAT3 which is required for the expression of the epsilon isoform of 14-3-3, a marker of Abeta-activated microglia (1, 2). We applied afnity partitioning approach combined with high throughput mass spectrometric analysis in order to identify variation of proteins on plasma membrane of BV2 immortalized microglia upon treatment with amyloid peptides. By this method several proteins up- or down-regulated by amyloid treatment were identifed in microglial plasma membrane. Among them annexins (5 and 7), IFITM3 and MARK3. These data have been confrmed in primary microglial cultures. In microglia, plasma membrane plays a relevant role in the cross-talking with the external neuronal environment and in the resulting trophic or infammatory response of these sentinel cells. As such, knowledge of the microglia responsiveness to beta amyloids in term of changes in its plasma membrane proteome is imperative for unveiling the molecular landscape in which AD occurs

Curcuma alismatifolia vase life

Cut curcuma stem has a reported vase life of 7 to 21 days and this difference in vase life is probably due to a combination of different factors such as growing conditions and postharvest treatments. However, the cut flower industry needs key postharvest information for new species and cultivars to be able to effectively market the flowers. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the effect of commercial hydrator and holding solutions, commercial growth regulator formulation, floral foam, ethylene and silver thiosulfate (STS) on the postharvest handling of C. alismatifolia cultivars. Control treatment (deionized water) had better vase life than the combinations of the commercial hydrator for 4h and commercial holding solution for 44h. Floral foam reduced vase life to 17 days from 23 days for the control treatment. The growth regulators gibberellin plus benzyladenine (GA4+7 + BA) had a positive effect on the fresh weight keeping parameter, but further studies are necessary. STS did not improve vase life, nor did ethylene at 1 µL L-1 reduce it. The curcuma cultivars tested were not positively affected by vase solution composition and had an average vase life in deionized water of 21 days