Rendere sociali le imprese. Impatto sociale, confini dell\u2019impresa e rete di stakeholder

E\u2019 possibile ampliare il concetto di impresa sociale fino a comprendere imprese for profit posizionate fuori dai confini fissati dalla definizione ex lege? La risposta a questa domanda necessita di un cambio di punti di vista: la gestione dell\u2019eventuale surplus non pu\uf2 pi\uf9 essere una discriminante di ci\uf2 che viene inteso come impresa sociale. E\u2019 necessario muovere l\u2019attenzione verso i processi che invece permettono di realizzare l\u2019impatto sociale a prescindere da ci\uf2 che accade dal lato degli eventuali profitti. Fatto ci\uf2, \ue8 quindi importante capire quale determinante di questi processi pu\uf2 essere posta alla base della creazione di impatto sociale anche in presenza di soggetti che perseguano fini for profit. In particolare, l\u2019impresa for profit dovr\ue0 essere vista nel contesto del pi\uf9 ampio network di stakeholder che deve essere mobilitato per raggiungere i fini sociali. La mobilitazione degli stakeholder ha il ruolo fondamentale di \u201cfar quadrare il cerchio\u201d, cio\ue8 di permettere ad attori for profit di raggiugere fini sociali, e di poter quindi essere assimilati concettualmente all\u2019idea di imprese sociali. Questo tuttavia non pu\uf2 avvenire lasciando invariate le organizzazioni che decidono di intraprendere questa strada (non ancora riconosciuta, e forse difficilmente catturabile, dalla legge). Appare evidente, infatti, come la mobilitazione degli stakeholder a fini sociali influenzi profondamente i confini dell\u2019impresa: quando gli attori operano sulla base di valori condivisi finalizzati a raggiungere un certo impatto sociale, le imprese parte del network devono optare per comportamenti trasparenti, rendendo ulteriormente permeabili i propri confini. Per rendere evidente questo processo, andremo ad analizzare un network di organizzazioni costituito da piccole imprese manifatturiere, organizzazioni non profit e gruppi di acquisto solidale che, senza rinunciare ognuno alla propria vocazione, hanno sviluppato un modello virtuoso di produzione finalizzata sia al raggiungimento di un impatto sociale che alla sostenibilit\ue0 economica delle imprese partecipanti. In questo caso vedremo che le imprese for profit possono mobilitare una rete di stakeholder a fini sociali a patto di gestire la propria filiera attraverso quella che chiameremo global openness, intesa non solo come trasparenza dei processi interni all\u2019impresa ma anche come necessit\ue0 di rendere trasparente l\u2019intera catena del valore, ben oltre i propri confini e quelli dei propri partner diretti

Truly scalable K-Truss and max-truss algorithms for community detection in graphs

The notion of k-truss has been introduced a decade ago in social network analysis and security for community detection, as a form of cohesive subgraphs less stringent than a clique (set of pairwise linked nodes), and more selective than a k-core (induced subgraph with minimum degree k). A k-truss is an inclusion-maximal subgraph Hin which each edge belongs to at least k-2triangles inside H. The truss decomposition establishes, for each edge e, the maximum kfor which ebelongs to a k-truss. Analogously to the largest clique and to the maximum k-core, the strongest community for k-truss is the max-truss, which corresponds to the k-truss having the maximum k. Even though the computation of truss decomposition and of the max-truss takes polynomial time, on a large scale, it suffers from handling a potentially cubic number of wedges. In this paper, we provide a new algorithm FMT, which advances the state of the art on different sides: lower execution time, lower memory usage, and no need for expensive hardware. We compare FMT experimentally with the most recent state-of-the-art algorithms on a set of large real-world and synthetic networks with over a billion edges. The massive improvement allows FMT to compute the max-truss of networks of tens of billions of edges on a single standard server machine

Process algebra modelling styles for biomolecular processes

We investigate how biomolecular processes are modelled in process algebras, focussing on chemical reactions. We consider various modelling styles and how design decisions made in the definition of the process algebra have an impact on how a modelling style can be applied. Our goal is to highlight the often implicit choices that modellers make in choosing a formalism, and illustrate, through the use of examples, how this can affect expressability as well as the type and complexity of the analysis that can be performed

A criterion for separating process calculi

We introduce a new criterion, replacement freeness, to discern the relative expressiveness of process calculi. Intuitively, a calculus is strongly replacement free if replacing, within an enclosing context, a process that cannot perform any visible action by an arbitrary process never inhibits the capability of the resulting process to perform a visible action. We prove that there exists no compositional and interaction sensitive encoding of a not strongly replacement free calculus into any strongly replacement free one. We then define a weaker version of replacement freeness, by only considering replacement of closed processes, and prove that, if we additionally require the encoding to preserve name independence, it is not even possible to encode a non replacement free calculus into a weakly replacement free one. As a consequence of our encodability results, we get that many calculi equipped with priority are not replacement free and hence are not encodable into mainstream calculi like CCS and pi-calculus, that instead are strongly replacement free. We also prove that variants of pi-calculus with match among names, pattern matching or polyadic synchronization are only weakly replacement free, hence they are separated both from process calculi with priority and from mainstream calculi.Comment: In Proceedings EXPRESS'10, arXiv:1011.601

The Role of PET in the Diagnosis and Disease Activity Assessment in Large Vessel Vasculitis

The role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) in the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) is well established. It permits us to assess the extent and the grade of vascular involvement and to rule out the other causes in clinical scenarios characterized by less specific symptoms. The advantages of 18F-FDG PET are far less clear in monitoring disease activity over time. Studies looking for the role of 18F-FDG PET as a potential biomarker had conflicting results and whether and when to repeat it during follow-up is based on clinical experience. A comprehensive assessment, including clinical, laboratory and morphological imaging is still required to monitor patients with large-vessel vasculitis over time. The aim of this review is to present more recent data about the utility of 18 F-FDG PET in the diagnosis and follow-up of LVV

Predictive and Prognostic Role of Pre-Therapy and Interim 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT Parameters in Metastatic Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients Treated with PRRT

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an effective therapeutic option in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). However, PRRT fails in about 15–30% of cases. Identification of biomarkers predicting the response to PRRT is essential for treatment tailoring. We aimed to evaluate the predictive and prognostic role of semiquantitative and volumetric parameters obtained from the 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT before therapy (bPET) and after two cycles of PRRT (iPET). A total of 46 patients were included in this retrospective analysis. The primary tumor was 78% gastroenteropancreatic (GEP), 13% broncho-pulmonary and 9% of unknown origin. 35 patients (76.1%) with stable disease or partial response after PRRT were classified as responders and 11 (23.9%) as non-responders. Logistic regression analysis identified that baseline total volume (bTV) was associated with therapy outcome (OR 1.17; 95%CI 1.02–1.32; p = 0.02). No significant association with PRRT response was observed for other variables. High bTV was confirmed as the only variable independently associated with OS (HR 12.76, 95%CI 1.53–107, p = 0.01). In conclusion, high bTV is a negative predictor for PRRT response and is associated with worse OS rates. Early iPET during PRRT apparently does not provide information useful to change the management of NET patients

Eficácia de fungicidas no controle de Mancha Alvo na cultura da soja.

Resumo: A aplicação de fungicidas é umas das principais medidas de controle adotada no manejo de mancha-alvo na cultura da soja. Nas últimas safras alguns fungicidas têm se mostrado pouco eficazes no controle da doença no campo, o que pode ser uma consequencia da alta exposição de determinadas moléculas de fungicidas, favorecendo a seleção de linhagens do fungo, Corynespora cassicola, resistentes a fungicidas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de fungicidas no controle da mancha-alvo na cultura da soja, em condições de campo. O ensaio foi conduzido na área experimental da Embrapa Agrossilvipastoril, Sinop, MT. Os fungicidas utilizados foram: Trifloxistrobina + Proticonazol, Piraclostrobina + Epoxiconazol + Fluxapiroxade, Piraclostrobina + Fluxapiroxade, Bixafen + Protioconazol + Trifloxistrobina, Tebuconazol + Picoxitrobina + Mancozebe, Azoxistrobina + Tebuconazol + Mancozebe, Oxicloreto de Cobre + Mancozebe e outros três tratamentos com diferentes concentrações de Mancozebe. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos completos casualizados, com doze tratamentos e quatro repetições. Determinou a eficácia de cada fungicida com base na porcentagem de área foliar infectada na parte inferior e superior da planta, nos estádios fenológicos R5.3 e R6. Os resultados das avaliações foram analisados estatisticamente e para as variáveis significativas, as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Scott Knott, a 5% de probabilidade. Nas duas avaliações de severidade, os tratamentos fungicidas apresentaram melhor controle de mancha alvo em relação a testemunha, exceto o tratamento fungicida Carbendazim que não diferiu significativamente da testemunha. | Abstract: The application of fungicides is one of the main control measures adopted in the management of target spot in soybean. In recent seasons some fungicides have been shown to be ineffective in controlling the disease in the field, which may be a consequence of the high exposure of certain fungicide molecules, favoring the selection of fungicide-resistant strains of the fungus Corynespora cassicola. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of fungicides in the control of target spot in soybean under field conditions. The experiment was carried out in the experimental area of Embrapa Agrossilvipastoril, Sinop, MT. The fungicides used were: Trifloxystrobin + Proticonazole, Pyraclostrobin + Epoxiconazole + Fluxapiroxade, Pyraclostrobin + Fluxapiroxade, Bixafen + Protioconazol e + Trifloxystrobin, Tebuconazol + Picoxitrobin + Mancozeb, Azoxystrobin + Tebuconazol + Mancozeb, Copper Oxychloride + Mancozeb and other three treatments with different concentrations of Mancozeb. A randomized complete block design was used, with twelve treatments and four replications. He determined the effectiveness of each fungicide based on the percentage of infected leaf area on the lower and upper parts of the plant, at the phenological stages R5.3 and R6. The results of the evaluations were analyzed statistically and for the significant variables, the means were compared by the Scott Knott test, at 5% probability. In the two severity evaluations, the fungicide treatments showed better control of target spot in relation to the control, except for the Carbendazim fungicide treatment, which did not differ significantly from the control

Eficácia de fungicidas no controle de doenças de final de ciclo e na produtividade de grãos de soja.

Resumo: O complexo de doenças foliares de final de ciclo da soja podem reduzir significativamente a qualidade e a produtividade de grãos. Sendo assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi determinar, em condições de campo, a eficácia de fungicidas no controle dessas doenças. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos completos casualizados, com sete tratamentos e quatro repetições. Cada unidade experimental foi constituída por seis linhas de 6,0 m de comprimento espaçadas em 0,50 m entre linhas. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente, sendo as médias significativas comparadas pelo teste de Scott Knott, a 5% de probabilidade. Os tratamentos pulverizados foram: 1- testemunha (sem fungicidas); 2- trifloxistrobina + protioconazol; 3- piraclostrobina + fluxapyroxad; 4- azoxistrobina + benzovindiflupir; 5- mancozebe a 2250 g.i.a..ha-¹; 6- mancozeb a 1500 g.i.a..ha-¹ e 7- oxicloreto de cobre. As avaliações de eficácia de cada produto foram realizadas com base na porcentagem de área foliar infectada, nos estádios fenológicos R1, R5.1 e R6, no terço inferior e médio da planta. Avaliou-se também a porcentagem de desfolha, a massa de 100 grãos e a produtividade de grãos. Dentre as doenças de final de ciclo, observou-se o crestamento de cercospora e mancha parda. Os tratamentos fungicidas trifloxistrobina + protioconazol, piraclostrobina + fluxapiroxad e mancozebe, em R6 não diferiram entre si significativamente, apresentando maior eficácia de controle de doenças de final de ciclo. Em relação a produtividade, os tratamentos 3, 4, 5, 6 e 7 foram superiores a testemunha e ao tratamento 2. | Abstract: The complex of foliar diseases in the late soybean cycle can significantly reduce grain quality and productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of fungicides in controlling these diseases. A randomized complete block design was used, with seven treatments and four replications each. The experimental unit consisted of six 6.0 m long lines spaced 0.50 m between them. The data were statistically analyzed, with significant means compared using the Scott Knott test, at 5% probability. The treatments were: 1- control (without fungicides); 2- trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole; 3- pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxad; 4- azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr; 5- mancozeb at 2250 g.i.a..ha-¹; 6- mancozeb at 1500 g.i.a..ha-¹ and 7- copper oxychloride. Efficacy evaluations of each product were carried out based on the percentage of infected leaf area, in the phenological stages R1, R5.1, and R6, in the lower and middle third of the plant. The percentage of defoliation, the mass of 100 grains, and grain productivity were also evaluated. Among the end-of-cycle diseases, cercospora blight and brown spot were observed. The fungicide treatments trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole, pyraclostrobin + fluxapiroxad, and mancozeb, in R6 did not differ, showing greater effectiveness in controlling late cycle diseases. Concerning productivity, treatments 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were superior to the control and treatment 2

Desempenho de fungicidas no controle de mancha-alvo na cultura da soja.

Resumo: O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de fungicidas no controle de manchas foliares na cultura da soja, em condições de campo. O experimento conduzido na área experimental da BS Consultoria Agrícola, Sinop (MT). Os tratamentos fungicidas foram: Carbendazim, Trifloxistrobina + Protioconazol, Piraclostrobina + Epoxiconazol + Fluxapirozade, Piraclostrobina + Fluxapirozade, Bixafen + Protioconazol + Trifloxistrobina, Azoxistrobina + Tebuconazol + Mancozebe, Clorotalonil, Fluxapiroxade + Oxicloreto de Cobre e outros dois tratamentos com doses diferentes de Mancozebe. Utilizou-se o delineamento blocos completos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Cada unidade experimental foi constituída por seis linhas de 6,0 metros (m), espaçadas em 0,50 m. A eficiência de cada produto foi determinada com base na porcentagem de área foliar infectada nos estádios fenológicos R6 e R7. Também avaliou-se a produtividade de grãos (Kg.ha-¹). Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente, sendo as médias das variáveis significativas comparadas pelo teste de Scott Knott, a 5% de probabilidade. A severidade de mancha-alvo foi baixa, porém houve diferença estatística entre os tratamentos, em relação a severidade da doença e desfolha, apesar desta ter sido intensa em todos os tratamentos. A aplicação de Mancozebe (2250 g i.a ha-¹) de maneira isolada ou associada: Azoxistrobina (94 g i.a ha-¹) + Tebuconazol (112 g i.a ha-¹) + Mancozebe (1194 g i.a ha-¹), garantiu menores porcentagens de desfolha e maiores produtividades de grãos. | Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of fungicides in controlling leaf spots in soybean crops, under field conditions. The experiment was conducted in Sinop/MT, coordinated by Embrapa Agrossilvopastoril. The fungicide treatments were: control without fungicide; carbendazim (500 g a.i.ha-¹); trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole (60 + 70 g a.i. ha-¹); pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole + fluxapyroxade (64.8 + 40 + 40 g a.i. ha-¹); pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxade (116.55 + 58.45 g a.i.ha-¹); bixafen + prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin (62.5 + 87.5 + 75 g a.i. ha-¹); azoxystrobin + tebuconazole + mancozeb (94 + 112 + 1194 g a.i. ha-1); mancozeb (1125 g a.i.ha-¹); mancozeb (2250 g a.i./ha-¹); chlorothalonil (1000 g a.i.ha-¹); fluxapyroxad + copper oxychloride (50 + 420 g a.i.ha-¹). A randomized complete block design was used, with four replications. Each experimental unit consisted of six 6.0 meter (m) lines, spaced 0.50 m apart. The efficiency of each product was determined based on the percentage of leaf area infected at phenological stages R6 and R7. Grain productivity (kg.ha-¹) was also evaluated. The data were analyzed statistically, with the means of significant variables compared using the Scott- Knott test, at 5% probability. The target spot severity was low, however, a statistical difference between the treatments was found, as to the severity of the disease and defoliation. No difference was observed as to the yield and weight of a thousand grains between treatments, regardless of the severity degree of the disease

Interim analysis of the REASSURE (Radium-223 alpha Emitter Agent in non-intervention Safety Study in mCRPC popUlation for long-teRm Evaluation) study: patient characteristics and safety according to prior use of chemotherapy in routine clinical practice

Purpose: REASSURE is a global, prospective, non-interventional study to assess long-term safety of radium-223 in patients with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Here we report an interim analysis of patients according to previous use of chemotherapy. Methods: Radium-223 was administered in routine clinical practice. Interim safety analysis was planned after enrolment of the first 600 patients. Patient characteristics and safety data by previous administration of chemotherapy (docetaxel and/or cabazitaxel) were investigated. Results: This interim analysis included 583 patients. Median duration of observation was 7 months (range, 0–20). Nineteen patients treated with concomitant chemotherapy were excluded, 564 (97%) were eligible for exploratory analysis according to prior use of chemotherapy; 190 (34%) had previously received and completed chemotherapy, and 374 (66%) had not. In the prior versus no prior chemotherapy group, a higher proportion of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≥2 (22% vs 11%) and > 20 metastatic lesions (26% vs 15%), median alkaline phosphatase (162.0 vs 115.0 U/L) and prostate-specific antigen (132.0 vs 40.2 ng/mL) levels were higher, and a lower proportion completed 6 radium-223 injections (45% vs 63%). Drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 63 and 48%, and haematological drug-related TEAEs in 21 and 9% of patients who had or had not previously received chemotherapy. Four drug-related deaths were reported, all in the prior chemotherapy group. Conclusions: The short-term safety profile of radium-223 in routine clinical practice was comparable to other clinical studies, irrespective of prior chemotherapy use. Haematological TEAEs occurred more frequently in the prior chemotherapy group, presumably due to decreased bone marrow function as a consequence of more advanced disease and prior exposure to cytotoxic therapy. Patients who had not previously received chemotherapy appeared to have a lower burden of disease at baseline, and a lower proportion discontinued radium-223 treatment.Purpose: REASSURE is a global, prospective, non-interventional study to assess long-term safety of radium-223 in patients with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Here we report an interim analysis of patients according to previous use of chemotherapy. Methods: Radium-223 was administered in routine clinical practice. Interim safety analysis was planned after enrolment of the first 600 patients. Patient characteristics and safety data by previous administration of chemotherapy (docetaxel and/or cabazitaxel) were investigated. Results: This interim analysis included 583 patients. Median duration of observation was 7 months (range, 0–20). Nineteen patients treated with concomitant chemotherapy were excluded, 564 (97%) were eligible for exploratory analysis according to prior use of chemotherapy; 190 (34%) had previously received and completed chemotherapy, and 374 (66%) had not. In the prior versus no prior chemotherapy group, a higher proportion of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≥2 (22% vs 11%) and > 20 metastatic lesions (26% vs 15%), median alkaline phosphatase (162.0 vs 115.0 U/L) and prostate-specific antigen (132.0 vs 40.2 ng/mL) levels were higher, and a lower proportion completed 6 radium-223 injections (45% vs 63%). Drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 63 and 48%, and haematological drug-related TEAEs in 21 and 9% of patients who had or had not previously received chemotherapy. Four drug-related deaths were reported, all in the prior chemotherapy group. Conclusions: The short-term safety profile of radium-223 in routine clinical practice was comparable to other clinical studies, irrespective of prior chemotherapy use. Haematological TEAEs occurred more frequently in the prior chemotherapy group, presumably due to decreased bone marrow function as a consequence of more advanced disease and prior exposure to cytotoxic therapy. Patients who had not previously received chemotherapy appeared to have a lower burden of disease at baseline, and a lower proportion discontinued radium-223 treatment