1,863 research outputs found
Distribution dynamics: a spatial perspective
It is quite common in cross-sectional convergence analyses that data exhibit spatial dependence. Within the literature adopting the distribution dynamics approach, authors typically opt for spatial prefiltering. We follow an alternative route and propose a procedure based on an estimate of the mean function of a conditional density for which we develop a two-stage non-parametric estimator that allows for spatial dependence estimated via a spline estimator of the spatial correlation function. The finite sample performance of this estimator is assessed via Monte Carlo simulations. We apply the procedure that incorporates the proposed spatial non-parametric estimator to data on per capita personal income in US states and metropolitan statistical areas
The distribution of the gender wage gap in Italy: does education Matter?
In this paper we evaluate the wage gap due to differences in rewards to characteristics by
studying the entire distribution of the individual unexplained wage gap. We use quantile regressions and an adaptation of the procedure suggested by Machado and Mata (2005) to derive the marginal distributions of predicted and counterfactual female wages. Then, we estimate probability distributions of unexplained wage gap conditional to observed characteristics. The methodology allows to evaluate the probability of women with different characteristics to experience any level of discrimination. The main focus of the paper is on the relationship between human capital characteristics and outcomes in differences in pay. In particular, we focus our attention on different educational levels. Under the hypothesis that women invest in education to signal their productivity,
we should detect a lower wage gap −due to differences in rewards to characteristics− among high educated females. Our analysis suggests that education can be a good signal but not for all females.
We also show that education interacts differently with other human capital characteristics, such as general experience acquired in the labour market. The analysis is carried out on Italian data drawn from the last available cross-section of the European Community Household Panel (2001
In vitro propagation of isoëtes sabatina (Isoetaceae): A key conservation challenge for a critically endangered quillwort
Isoëtes sabatina is an aquatic quillwort endemic to Italy. It is one of the rarest quillworts in Europe, and is critically endangered due to restricted range and to the continuous decline of both population and habitat quality. This study aims to develop an optimized protocol to reproduce and grow I. sabatina sporelings. Mature and immature megaspores were mixed with mature microspores to evaluate the influence of the developmental stage on germination and sporeling development. Two substrates, distilled water and water-agar medium, were tested for germination and sporeling emergence, and three substrates, sand, lake sediment and water-agar, were tested for transplants. A high percentage of megaspore germination (a total of 79.1%) was obtained in both substrates, higher for mature than immature spores. A total of 351 sporelings were produced in distilled water and water-agar cultures, with similar percentages (64.5% and 69.6%, respectively). The development stage of the megaspores affected both germination and sporeling development. Sporeling emergence showed significantly higher percentages in mature megaspores than immature ones (69.6% vs. 11.6%, respectively), with 85% of germinated spores developing sporelings. Only transplants over water-agar medium were successful. This protocol could be useful for the propagation of sporelings as the key step towards the planning of in situ actions to save this Mediterranean quillwort from extinction
Radiotherapy in mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive neoplasm arising from the surface serosal cells of the pleural cavity. Surgery remains the main therapeutic standard in the treatment of MPM with the goal of complete gross cytoreduction of the tumor. Because MPM is a diffuse disease affecting the entire mesothelial lining of the hemithorax, surgery alone can rarely achieve adequate tumor-free resection margins. The surgical choices are pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). Radiotherapy (RT) is usually applied postoperatively with the aim to improve local control. However, the efficacy of RT is limited by the large volume of the target to be irradiated (tumor and pleural cavity) and the radiosensitivity of the nearby organs (heart, liver, lung, spinal cord, and esophagus). These factors have historically limited the effective radiation doses that can be given to the patient. There is no role for radical RT alone, but the role of RT as part of multimodality therapy is discussed. After EPP adjuvant RT to the entire hemithorax can reduce the recurrence rate and is well tolerated if strict limits to the dose to contralateral lung are applied: the V20 and V5 (the percent volume of the lung receiving more than 20Gy and 5Gy of radiation) correlate with increased lung toxicity. The use of modern sophisticated techniques allows good target coverage, more conformal high dose delivery, and clinically relevant normal tissue sparing
Classifying antibiotics in the WHO Essential Medicines List for optimal use—be AWaRe
International audienc
Thermally-Reconfigurable Quantum Photonic Circuits at Telecom Wavelength by Femtosecond Laser Micromachining
The importance of integrated quantum photonics in the telecom band resides on
the possibility of interfacing with the optical network infrastructure
developed for classical communications. In this framework, femtosecond laser
written integrated photonic circuits, already assessed for quantum information
experiments in the 800 nm wavelength range, have great potentials. In fact
these circuits, written in glass, can be perfectly mode-matched at telecom
wavelength to the in/out coupling fibers, which is a key requirement for a
low-loss processing node in future quantum optical networks. In addition, for
several applications quantum photonic devices will also need to be dynamically
reconfigurable. Here we experimentally demonstrate the high performance of
femtosecond laser written photonic circuits for quantum experiments in the
telecom band and we show the use of thermal shifters, also fabricated by the
same femtosecond laser, to accurately tune them. State-of-the-art manipulation
of single and two-photon states is demonstrated, with fringe visibilities
greater than 95%. This opens the way to the realization of reconfigurable
quantum photonic circuits on this technological platform
Atomic and Molecular Data for Optical Stellar Spectroscopy
High-precision spectroscopy of large stellar samples plays a crucial role for
several topical issues in astrophysics. Examples include studying the chemical
structure and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy, tracing the origin of chemical
elements, and characterizing planetary host stars. Data are accumulating from
instruments that obtain high-quality spectra of stars in the ultraviolet,
optical and infrared wavelength regions on a routine basis. These instruments
are located at ground-based 2- to 10-m class telescopes around the world, in
addition to the spectrographs with unique capabilities available at the Hubble
Space Telescope. The interpretation of these spectra requires high-quality
transition data for numerous species, in particular neutral and singly ionized
atoms, and di- or triatomic molecules. We rely heavily on the continuous
efforts of laboratory astrophysics groups that produce and improve the relevant
experimental and theoretical atomic and molecular data. The compilation of the
best available data is facilitated by databases and electronic infrastructures
such as the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, the VALD database, or the Virtual
Atomic and Molecular Data Centre (VAMDC). We illustrate the current status of
atomic data for optical stellar spectra with the example of the Gaia-ESO Public
Spectroscopic Survey. Data sources for 35 chemical elements were reviewed in an
effort to construct a line list for a homogeneous abundance analysis of up to
100000 stars.Comment: Published 30 April 2015 in Physica Script
Evaluation of GRCh38 and de novo haploid genome assemblies demonstrates the enduring quality of the reference assembly
Evaluation of the effect of six different paint cross section preparation methods on the performances of Fourier Transformed Infrared microscopy in attenuated total reflection mode
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