The Rickman-Picard Theorem

We give a new and conceptually simple proof of the Rickman-Picard theorem for quasiregular maps based on potential-theoretic methods.Comment: 22pages, 1 figur

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

First Italian Consensus Conference on VATS Lobectomy for NSCLC

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Fine-Grained Agent-Based Modeling to Predict Covid-19 Spreading and Effect of Policies in Large-Scale Scenarios

Modeling and forecasting the spread of COVID-19 remains an open problem for several reasons. One of these concerns the difficulty to model a complex system at a high resolution (fine-grained) level at which the spread can be simulated by taking into account individual features such as the social structure, the effects of the governments’ policies, age sensitivity to Covid-19, maskwearing habits and geographical distribution of susceptible people. Agent-based modeling usually needs to find an optimal trade-off between the resolution of the simulation and the population size. Indeed, modeling single individuals usually leads to simulations of smaller populations or the use of meta-populations. In this article, we propose a solution to efficiently model the Covid-19 spread in Lombardy, the most populated Italian region with about ten million people. In particular, the model described in this paper is, to the best of our knowledge, the first attempt in literature to model a large population at the single-individual level. To achieve this goal, we propose a framework that implements: i. a scale-free model of the social contacts combining a sociability rate, demographic information, and geographical assumptions; ii. a multi-agent system relying on the actor model and the High-Performance Computing technology to efficiently implement ten million concurrent agents. We simulated the epidemic scenario from January to April 2020 and from August to December 2020, modeling the government’s lockdown policies and people’s maskwearing habits. The social modeling approach we propose could be rapidly adapted for modeling future epidemics at their early stage in scenarios where little prior knowledge is available

Estilos de liderazgo de las microempresarias del sector comercio en los distritos de San Isidro y Miraflores

Las mujeres se encuentran en desventaja en el emprendimiento de negocios, esta brecha de género se ve incrementada aún más en negocios ya consolidados. Los estilos de liderazgo aplicados por las dueñas de los negocios inciden en la productividad y desarrollo de los negocios. Sin embargo, no existe información precisa sobre los estilos de liderazgo que aplican, por lo que el objetivo de la presente investigación fue justamente identificar el estilo de liderazgo predominante. Sobre los resultados obtenidos se podrán hacer estudios posteriores que determinen la efectividad del estilo de liderazgo. La investigación describe el estilo de liderazgo que predomina en las mujeres microempresarias del sector comercio en los distritos de San Isidro y Miraflores mediante el estudio de las características de las dueñas del negocio; características del negocio; y características del liderazgo que aplican las dueñas del negocio; todo ello a través de la recolección de información sobre las microempresarias de estos dos distritos con mayor densidad empresarial de Lima. El estudio utiliza el paradigma cualitativo basado en estudios de caso de diez microempresarias del sector comercio de los distritos de San Isidro y Miraflores. Los resultados muestran, como principal conclusión, el predominio del estilo de liderazgo Transformacional, debido a que en todas las microempresarias entrevistadas, se identificó que presentan seis características personales (Carisma, Interactividad, Creatividad, Orientado a las Personas, Ética, Coherencia) de las siete características personales del liderazgo Transformacional (Carisma, Interactividad, Creatividad, Orientado a las Personas, Ética, Coherencia, Visión)Women are in disadvantage in entrepreneurship, this gender gap is further increased in already established businesses. Leadership styles applied by business owners influence productivity and business development. However, there is no precise information about the leadership styles they apply, so the objective of the present research was precisely to identify the predominant style of leadership. On the results obtained can be made later studies that determine the effectiveness of the style of leadership. The research describes the style of leadership that prevails in women microentrepreneurs of the trade sector in the districts of San Isidro and Miraflores by studying the characteristics of the owners of the business; business characteristics; and leadership characteristics applied by the owners of the business; all through the gathering of evidence of the microentrepreneurs of these two districts with greater business density in Lima. The study uses the qualitative paradigm based on case studies of ten women microentrepreneurs of the districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. The results show the predominance of the Transformational leadership, because in all the microentrepreneurs interviewed were identified six personal characteristics (Charisma, Interactivity, Creativity, People Orientation, Ethics, Coherence) of the seven personal characteristics of Transformational leadership (Charisma, Interactivity, Creativity, People Orientation, Ethics, Coherence, Vision)Tesi

METODO DI VALIDAZIONE DI TECNOLOGIE ROBOTICHE PER L’ISPEZIONE DI UN AMBIENTE NAVALE

Introduction The use of robotic technologies in ship inspections could lead to a significant reduction in costs, timing and problems related to the safety of the workplace. However, the application of autonomous systems in this field is still severely limited, both on a technological and regulatory level. It is necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of these technologies in the field to support the human surveyor. Technical features There are currently no assessment methods available to verify the effectiveness of a ship inspection carried out using robotic technologies, checking that survey outcomes are at the same quality level of those commonly attainable by a human surveyor. Therefore, according to current regulations and traditional inspection techniques, validation methodologies based on the development of test equipment and protocols have been defined, aimed at verifying both the effectiveness of a robotic technology and of the involved personnel. As an innovative and pragmatic solution, it is proposed to experimentally test these technologies in a dedicated test environment, more economical and available than a ship, though able to simulate the reality on board in a controlled and repeatable way. Modular test equipment and protocols allow varying the parameters according to the needs and robotic technologies to be examined, by using different operating stations in which it is possible to simulate the actual conditions of a survey, detecting the degradation of the structure due to corrosion phenomena, fracture and mechanical damage. Possible Applications Shipbuilding engineering; Welded structures; Ship surveys and management; Applied robotic engineering and technologies; Training of inspection personnel. Advantages Simple and inexpensive method for verifying and validating the use of robotic technologies for ship inspections; Training centre for surveyors and pilots; Meeting place for the interaction and collaboration of different technology sectors, where to develop new knowledge and set rule requirements

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

Surgical treatment of lung cancer with adjacent lobe invasion in relation to fissure integrity

Background Tumor with adjacent lobe invasion (T‐ALI) is an uncommon condition. Controversy still exists regarding the optimal resection of adjacent lobe invasion, and the prognostic value in relation to fissure integrity at the tumor invasion point. The aims of this paper were to evaluate the prognosis of T‐ALI with regard to fissure integrity, and type of resection. Methods This was a retrospective multicenter study which included all consecutive patients with T‐ALI undergoing surgical treatment. Based on radiological, intraoperative and histological findings, T‐ALI patients were differentiated into two groups based on whether the fissure was complete (T‐ALI‐A group) or incomplete (T‐ALI‐D Group) at the level of tumor invasion point. Clinico‐pathological features and survival of two study groups were analyzed and compared. Results Study population included 135 patients, of these 98 (72%) were included into T‐ALI‐A group, and 37 (38%) into T‐ALI‐D Group. T‐ALI‐D patients had better overall survival than T‐ALI‐A patients (63.9 ± 7.0 vs. 48.9 ± 3.9; respectively, P = 0.01) who presented with a higher incidence of lymph node involvement (35% vs. 4%; P = 0.004), and recurrence rate (43% vs. 16%; P = 0.01). At multivariable analysis, T‐ALI‐D (P = 0.01), pN0 stage (P = 0.0002), and pT≤5 cm (P = 0.0001) were favorable survival prognostic factors. Conclusions T‐ALI‐D presented a better prognosis than T‐ALI‐A while extent of resection had no effect on survival. Thus, in patients with small T‐ALI‐D and without lymph node involvement, sublobar resection of adjacent lobe rather than lobectomy could be indicated. Key points The extent of resection of adjacent lobe had no effect on survival while T‐ALI‐D, pN0 stage, and pT≤5 cm were significant prognostic factors. In patients with small T‐ALI‐D and without lymph node involvement, sublobar resection of adjacent lobe could be indicated as an alternative to lobectomy

Fluoromycobacteriophages can detect viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis and determine phenotypic rifampicin resistance in 3-5 days from sputum collection

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 40% of tuberculosis (TB) cases are not diagnosed and treated correctly. Even though there are several diagnostic tests available in the market, rapid, easy, inexpensive detection, and drug susceptibility testing (DST) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is still of critical importance specially in low and middle-income countries with high incidence of the disease. In this work, we have developed a microscopy-based methodology using the reporter mycobacteriophage mCherrybombΦ for detection of Mycobacterium spp. and phenotypic determination of rifampicin resistance within just days from sputum sample collection. Fluoromycobacteriophage methodology is compatible with regularly used protocols in clinical laboratories for TB diagnosis and paraformaldehyde fixation after infection reduces biohazard risks with sample analysis by fluorescence microscopy. We have also set up conditions for discrimination between M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) strains by addition of p-nitrobenzoic acid (PNB) during the assay. Using clinical isolates of pre-XDR and XDR-TB strains from this study, we tested mCherrybombΦ for extended DST and we compared the antibiotic resistance profile with those predicted by whole genome sequencing. Our results emphasize the utility of a phenotypic test for M. tuberculosis extended DST. The many attributes of mCherrybombΦ suggests this could be a useful component of clinical microbiological laboratories for TB diagnosis and since only viable cells are detected this could be a useful tool for monitoring patient response to treatment.Fil: Rondon Salazar, Liliana. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Urdániz, Estefanía. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Latini, Cecilia. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco Javier Muñiz"; ArgentinaFil: Payaslian, Florencia Pía. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Matteo, Mario. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco Javier Muñiz"; ArgentinaFil: SOSA, EZEQUIEL. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Cálculo; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Do Porto, Darío Augusto. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Cálculo; ArgentinaFil: Turjanski, Adrian. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Nemirovsky, Sergio Ivan. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Hatfull, Graham F.. University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; Estados UnidosFil: Poggi, Susana. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Piuri, Mariana. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco Javier Muñiz"; Argentin