On the conformal gauge of a compact metric space

In this article we study the Ahlfors regular conformal gauge of a compact metric space $(X,d)$, and its conformal dimension $\mathrm{dim}_{AR}(X,d)$. Using a sequence of finite coverings of $(X,d)$, we construct distances in its Ahlfors regular conformal gauge of controlled Hausdorff dimension. We obtain in this way a combinatorial description, up to bi-Lipschitz homeomorphisms, of all the metrics in the gauge. We show how to compute $\mathrm{dim}_{AR}(X,d)$ using the critical exponent $Q_N$ associated to the combinatorial modulus.Comment: 49 pages, 9 figure

CO2 Emissions and Economic Activity: heterogeneity across countries and non stationary series

This paper explores the homogeneity of the functional form, the parameters, and the turning point, when appropriate, of the relationship between CO2 emissions and economic activity for 31 countries (28 OECD, Brazil, China, and India) during the period 1950 to 2006 using cointegration analysis. With a sample highly overlapped over time between countries, the result reveals that the homogeneity across countries is rejected, both in functional form and in the parameters of long term relationship. This confirms the relevance of considering the heterogeneity in exploring the relationship between air pollution and economic activity to avoid spurious parameter estimates and infer a wrong behavior of the functional form, which could lead to induce that the relationship is reversed when in fact it is direct.Bound testing, cointegration, CO2 emissions, environmental Kuznets curve, heterogeneity

CO2 emissions and economic activity: heterogeneity across countries and non stationary series

This paper explores the homogeneity of the functional form, the parameters, and the turning point, when appropriate, of the relationship between CO2 emissions and economic activity for 31 countries (28 OECD, Brazil, China, and India) during the period 1950 to 2006 using cointegration analysis. With a sample highly overlapped over time between countries, the result reveals that the homogeneity across countries is rejected, both in functional form and in the parameters of long term relationship. This confirms the relevance of considering the heterogeneity in exploring the relationship between air pollution and economic activity to avoid spurious parameter estimates and infer a wrong behavior of the functional form, which could lead to induce that the relationship is reversed when in fact it is direct.Bound testing, cointegration, CO2 emissions, environmental Kuznets curve, heterogeneity

ORLICZ SPACES AND THE LARGE SCALE GEOMETRY OF HEINTZE GROUPS

We consider an Orlicz space based cohomology for metric (measured) spaces with bounded geometry. We prove the quasi-isometry invariance for a general Young function. In the hyperbolic case, we prove that the degree one cohomology can be identified with an Orlicz-Besov function space on the boundary at infinity. We give some applications to the large scale geometry of homogeneous spaces with negative curvature (Heintze groups). As our main result, we prove that if the Heintze group is not of Carnot type, any self quasi-isometry fixes a distinguished point on the boundary and preserves a certain foliation on the complement of that point

The inadequacy of regulatory frameworks in time of crisis and in low-resource settings : personal protective equipment and COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic is plaguing the world and representing the most significant stress test for many national healthcare systems and services, since their foundation. The supply-chain disruption and the unprecedented request for intensive care unit (ICU) beds have created in Europe conditions typical of low-resources settings. This generated a remarkable race to find solutions for the prevention, treatment and management of this disease which is involving a large amount of people. Every day, new Do-It-Yourself (DIY) solutions regarding personal protective equipment and medical devices populate social media feeds. Many companies (e.g., automotive or textile) are converting their traditional production to manufacture the most needed equipment (e.g., respirators, face shields, ventilators etc.). In this chaotic scenario, policy makers, international and national standards bodies, along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and scientific societies are making a joint effort to increase global awareness and knowledge about the importance of respecting the relevant requirements to guarantee appropriate quality and safety for patients and healthcare workers. Nonetheless, ordinary procedures for testing and certification are currently questioned and empowered with fast-track pathways in order to speed-up the deployment of new solutions for COVID-19. This paper shares critical reflections on the current regulatory framework for the certification of personal protective equipment. We hope that these reflections may help readers in navigating the framework of regulations, norms and international standards relevant for key personal protective equipment, sharing a subset of tests that should be deemed essential even in a period of crisis

New intelligent network approach for monitoring physiological parameters : the case of Benin

Benin health system is facing many challenges as: (i) affordable high-quality health care to a growing population providing need, (ii) patients’ hospitalization time reduction, (iii) and presence time of the nursing staff optimization. Such challenges can be solved by remote monitoring of patients. To achieve this, five steps were followed. 1) Identification of the Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) systems’ characteristics and the patient physiological parameters’ monitoring. 2) The national Integrated Patient Monitoring Network (RIMP) architecture modeling in a cloud of Technocenters. 3) Cross-analysis between the characteristics and the functional requirements identified. 4) Each Technocenter’s functionality simulation through: a) the design approach choice inspired by the life cycle of V systems; b) functional modeling through SysML Language; c) the communication technology and different architectures of sensor networks choice studying. 5) An estimate of the material resources of the national RIMP according to physiological parameters. A National Integrated Network for Patient Monitoring (RNIMP) remotely, ambulatory or not, was designed for Beninese health system. The implementation of the RNIMP will contribute to improve patients’ care in Benin. The proposed network is supported by a repository that can be used for its implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It is a table of 36 characteristic elements each of which must satisfy 5 requirements relating to: medical application, design factors, safety, performance indicators and materiovigilance

Conflitti urbanistici negli interventi sulla città informale

Conflitti nella città latinoamericana. Il territorio urbano si costruisce non solo attraverso la materialità, ma anche attraverso la socialità. Nella tradizione occidentale la città è stata concepita inizialmente come entità sociale e «politica» (la polis greca, la civitas romana), ma nel corso della modernità la frammentazione delle conoscenze ha fatto sì che i professionisti che intervengono sul governo della città abbiano sempre più curato la parte materiale (la urbs romana) e meno la parte sociale; questa tendenza si può identificare con chiarezza nello sviluppo della disciplina urbanistica

El derecho a la alimentación en entornos obesogénicos: reflexiones sobre el rol de los profesionales de la salud

Frente a la actual epidemia de obesidad, se problematiza la usual circunscripción del alcance del derecho a la alimentación a las situaciones de malnutrición por déficit. Se plantea que el derecho a la alimentación adecuada resulta vulnerado en los entornos obesogénicos, y que su protección requiere el establecimiento de medidas que regulen la publicidad y las prácticas de comercialización de productos ultraprocesados. Se sostiene que la principal barrera para la implementación de tales medidas la constituyen las estrategias desplegadas por las grandes corporaciones alimentarias. Entre ellas, se destacan las que tienen como objeto y/o como medio a la comunidad científica. Se identifican ciertos supuestos básicos subyacentes en los discursos de profesionales de la salud que contribuyen a crear un marco de legitimación del consumo de productos ultraprocesados. Se sugiere la adopción de un posicionamiento ético, libre de conflictos de intereses, para abogar por las necesarias medidas regulatorias de carácter estatutario.Faced with the current obesity epidemic, this article problematizes the way the right to food is often circumscribed to situations of nutritional deficit. It is argued that the right to adequate food is violated in obesogenic environments and that protection of the right requires the establishment of measures to regulate advertising and marketing practices regarding ultra-processed products. The work suggests that the main barriers to the implementation of such measures are the strategies employed by Big Food; among these, strategies that have the scientific community as a target and/or means are highlighted. Certain basic underlying assumptions are identified in the discourse of health professionals that contribute to create a framework of legitimacy regarding the consumption of ultra-processed products. The adoption of an ethical position that is free of conflicts of interest is suggested, so as to advocate for needed regulatory measures of a statutory nature