L’unificazione dei ruoli dirigenziali nella quarta riforma del lavoro pubblico italiano

This paper examines the provisions contained in Law n. 124/2015, that opened a new season of reforms for the Italian public labour, in accordance with the (declaimed) principles of simplification, flexibility and unity. It is worth highlighting the legal framework provided by article 11, in particular focusing on the unification of directive roles and the abolition of the two executive classes. The innovative character of the recently mentioned article, has also affected the process for the selection of executives in the different areas of the Public Administration; hence, the new norms have adjusted the procedure for the assignment of roles and entrustment of the heads of the Administratio

Chromosome instability in 'Carrizo' citrange + Citrus macrophylla somatic hybrids

Somatic hybridization by protoplast fusion is a very useful technique for citrus rootstock breeding. Indeed, it theoretically allows the accumulation of all genes of the parents, irrespective of their heterozygosity level and therefore the addition of complementary dominant traits. In this work, protoplasts were isolated from callus of Citrus macrophylla and from leaves of 'Carrizo' citrange (C. sinensis × P. trifoliata). Chemical, electro-chemical and electric fusions were performed and the ploidy of regenerated plants was evaluated by flow-cytometry. Five tetraploid plants, one pentaploid plant, one mixoploid (3x-6x) plant and one heptaploid plant were recovered. All these plants were analyzed with SSR and SNP markers, distributed in the nine chromosomes of citrus. Cytoplasmic genomes were characterized with chloroplastic and mitochondrial markers. Mitochondrial genome was inherited from C. macrophylla for all plants while segregation was observed for the chloroplastic genome. Nuclear genome analysis revealed the loss of parental alleles in most of the regenerated plants. In tetraploids, it affected mainly C. macrophylla alleles while P. trifoliata alleles were mostly lost in 5x and 7x plants. The results indicate chromosome instability in this complex intergeneric combination with apparent non random loss of some chromosome fragments. Two allotetraploid somatic hybrids have been selected for evaluation as potential rootstocks. (Résumé d'auteur

Creation of new intergeneric and interspecific somatic hybrids: An objective of the 6th PCRD european project 'CIBEWU' to face the mediterranean citrus rootstock challenge : [P2]

The predominance of sour orange rootstock in the Southern and Eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin is presently threatened by the spread of Citrus Tristeza Virus (CfV) and the dispersion of its main vector Toxoptera citricida. As a result the search for alternative rootstocks resistant to CTV and standing other constraints such as drough, alcalinity, salinity, phytophthora and nematods problems is now considered an urgent priority. Complementary genitors should be found in citrus germplasm to combine the desired traits particularly between Ponciros or trifoliate hybrids (citrange. citrumello) for resistances to pest and diseases and Citrus species for abiotic tolerances. The creation of somatic hybrids allows cumulating all dominant genes for tolerance to biotic and abiotic factors of the two parents, irrespective to their heterozygozity level. Moreover tetraploid level per se seems to irnprove toterances to salt and osmotic stress. Thus, the creation of new intergenetic and interspecific somatic hybrids has been included as one of the objectives in the 6th PCRD European Project 'ClBEWU' aiming to face the Mediterranean citrus rootstock challenge. New embryogenic callus lines to be used for somatic hybridization have been induced by INRAM (Morocco), lNRAT (Tunisia), Cukurova University (Turkey), IVIA (Spain) and CIRAD (France). Somatic hybridizations have been realized at CIRAD and IVIA with special emphasis in intergeneric (Citrus + Poncirus) combinations. Plants have been regenerated from 6 intergeneric and 1 interspecific combinations. Analysis of ploidy by flow cytometry and SSR markers studies are going on. The obtainment of interesting new tetraploid somatic hybrids has already been confirmed for 4 intergeneric (CIRAD: C. reshni + C35 citrange, C. sinensis + P. trifoliata; C. sinensis + C35 citrange; IVIA: C. macrophylla + Carrizo citrange) combinations and 1 interspecific combinations (IVIA: C. aurantium + C. taiwanica). Diploid cybrids with trifoliate hybrid nucleus and C. deliciosa or C. macrophylfa mitochondria have also been identified for 3 intergeneric combinations (CIR.AD: C. deliciosa + 4475 citrumello; C. deliciosa + C35 citrange; IVIA: C. macrophylla + Carrizo citrange). Methodological transfer to lNRAM (Morocco), INRAT (Tunisia) and Cukurova University (Turkey) has been done. (Texte intégral

El artículo 18 del estatuto de los trabajadores italiano a la luz de las últimas reformas laborales

En las siguientes líneas se realizará un somero repaso sobre las principales las modificaciones de la disciplina italiana de los despidos individuales recogida en el artículo 18 del Estatuto de los Trabajadores italiano, introducidas por las últimas reformas laborales. En ellas se constará el impacto de dichas reformas en el cuadro legislativo de referencia, viéndose reducida la posibilidad de readmisión del trabajador en el caso de despido individual improcedente. Además se harán unos apuntes críticos sobre el concepto de flexsecurity, de cual se destaca una gran inflación en el presente contexto de crisis económica.This paper examines the amendments made to the Italian regulation of individuals' dismissals following the enforcement of labor law reforms in the last years. The starting point of the analysis is the impact that the new provision had on the previous legislative framework and the main issues resulting from its implementation. Also, this paper concludes with an evaluation of the concept of "flexsecurity", which is often used in the context of the current crisis

Mouse embryo assay to evaluate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) embryo-toxicity

In vitro embryo culture to support In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures is a well-established but still critical technique. In the last decade first attempts to use microfluidic devices in IVF have shown positive results, enabling to control the culture conditions and to preserve the quality of the embryos during their development. In this study we completed an industry standard mouse embryo assay (MEA) to exclude potential toxic effects of PDMS

Ultrasonographic mound height as predictor of vesicoureteral reflux resolution after endoscopic treatment in children

Purpose: Endoscopic dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Dx/HA) injection is a safe and efficacious treatment option for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. Endoscopic appearance, hydrodistention and amount of injected Dx/HA have been demonstrated not to be reliable predictors of outcome. Aim of this study was to evaluate Dx/HA mounds on ultrasound scans (US) and find out any eventual correlation with reflux resolution. Methods: We selected patients treated with endoscopic injection for moderate to high VUR, renal scaring or repeated infections under antibiotic prophylaxis. Success was defined by absence of VUR at control 3. months after surgery; at 3. months we also measured mound height ultrasonographically. Results: We considered a total of 32 children (15 male, 17 female; 53 ureters) with a median age of 3. years (±. 24. months). Overall success rate was 77% per ureter. Success rate correlates directly with age and inversely with VUR grade. Mound height is the major predictive parameter for reflux resolution (sensitivity 100%, specificity 65.9%); mean mound heights of success-group vs. persistence-of-reflux group were 9.97. ±. 1.61. mm and 7.29. ±. 1.74. mm respectively (p. <. 0.0005). Conclusion: A mound measuring at least 9.8. mm at post-operative US scan is a predictor of reflux resolution. Age and grade also seems to influence success rate

Assessment of the Fitbit Charge 2 for monitoring heart rate

Fitness trackers are devices or applications for monitoring and tracking fitness-related metrics such as distance walked or run, calorie consumption, quality of sleep and heart rate. Since accurate heart rate monitoring is essential in fitness training, the objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and precision of the Fitbit Charge 2 for measuring heart rate with respect to a gold standard electrocardiograph. Fifteen healthy participants were asked to ride a stationary bike for 10 minutes and their heart rate was simultaneously recorded from each device. Results showed that the Fitbit Charge 2 underestimates the heart rate. Although the mean bias in measuring heart rate was a modest -5.9 bpm (95% CI: -6.1 to -5.6 bpm), the limits of agreement, which indicate the precision of individual measurements, between the Fitbit Charge 2 and criterion measure were wide (+16.8 to -28.5 bpm) indicating that an individual heart rate measure could plausibly be underestimated by almost 30 bpm

Evaluation of friction enhancement through soft polymer micro-patterns in active capsule endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is an emerging field in medical technology. Despite very promising innovations, some critical issues are yet to be addressed, such as the management and possible exploitation of the friction in the gastrointestinal environment in order to control capsule locomotion more actively. This paper presents the fabrication and testing of bio-inspired polymeric micro-patterns, which are arrays of cylindrical pillars fabricated via soft lithography. The aim of the work is to develop structures that enhance the grip between an artificial device and the intestinal tissue, without injuring the mucosa. In fact, the patterns are intended to be mounted on microfabricated legs of a capsule robot that is able to move actively in the gastrointestinal tract, thus improving the robot’s traction ability. The effect of micro-patterned surfaces on the leg-slipping behaviour on colon walls was investigated by considering both different pillar dimensions and the influence of tissue morphology. Several in vitro tests on biological samples demonstrated that micro-patterns of pillars made from a soft polymer with an aspect ratio close to 1 enhanced friction by 41.7% with regard to flat surfaces. This work presents preliminary modelling of the friction and adhesion forces in the gastrointestinal environment and some design guidelines for endoscopic devices