Occupation and working outcomes during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Using data from the first wave of the SHARE COVID-19 Survey and additional information collected from the previous waves of SHARE (Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe), we explore the effects of job characteristics on two outcomes: (i) the probability of work interruptions and (ii) the length of such interruptions during the first phase of the Coronavirus Pandemic. In order to assess the relationship between job features and labour market outcomes, we define two indexes proxying the pre-COVID-19 technical remote work feasibility as well as the level of social interaction with other people while working. Moreover, we use an indicator that classifies ISCO-08 3-digit job titles based on the essential nature of the good or service provided. We find that job characteristics have been major determinants of the probability of undergoing work interruptions and their duration. In addition, we show that women have been negatively affected by the Pandemic to a much larger extent than men, suggesting the relevance of the intrinsic characteristics of jobs they are mainly involved in, and the role of gender selection into specific activities. Not only females were more likely to have undergone work interruptions but they also exhibited larger probabilities of longer work breaks. A similar impact is seen for self-employed and less-educated workers

Outdoor Performance of Organic Photovoltaics: Comparative Analysis

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells represent an emerging and promising solution for low-cost clean energy production. Being flexible and semi-transparent and having significant advantages over conventional PV technologies, OPV modules represent an innovative solution even in applications that cannot be based on traditional PV systems. However, relatively low efficiencies, poor long-term stability, and thermal issues have so far prevented the commercialization of this technology. This paper describes two outdoor experimental campaigns that compared the operation of OPV modules with traditional PV modules—in particular crystalline silicon and copper–indium– selenium (CIS)—and assessed the OPV modules’ power generation potential in vertical installation and facing towards the cardinal directions

Morphologic grading of emphysema is useful in the selection of candidates for unilateral or bilateral reduction pneumoplasty

Objective: Radiologic morphology of emphysema proves useful in the selection of candidates for bilateral reduction pneumoplasty. We developed a simple morphologic grading system capable of identifying subsets of patients who had maximal functional improvement after unilateral or bilateral operation. Methods: Fifty-two patients who underwent unilateral (n = 34) or bilateral (n = 18) reduction pneumoplasty were evaluated. Emphysema morphology was visually scored by digital roentgenograms and high-resolution computed tomography. In each lung, severity of emphysema (ES), heterogeneity (DHT) and hyperinflation (DHF) degrees, were assessed. Asymmetric ratio of emphysema (ARE) between the lungs was expressed as: higher ES/lower ES scores. Morphometric data were correlated with absolute preoperative-postoperative FEV1 change (Delta FEV1). Results: No difference was found between the unilateral and the bilateral group for ES and DHT. DHF was greater in the bilateral group (3.1 vs. 2.7, P = 0.02) whereas ARE was greater in the unilateral group (1.29 vs. 1.05, P = 0.0001). Stepwise logistic regression extracted as best predictors of maximal Delta FEV1, ARE (odds ratio = 238, Wald test P = 0.04) in the unilateral group, and DHT (odds ratio = 24, P = 0.03) in the bilateral group. Unilateral group Delta FEV1 was greater in patients with ARE greater than or equal to 1.3 (0.44 vs. 0.241, P = 0.02). Bilateral group Delta FEV1 was greater in patients with DEET > 1 (0.50 vs. 0.31 1, P = 0.03). No difference was found when comparing Delta FEV1 resulting from unilateral RP and ARE greater than or equal to 1.3, and bilateral RP (0.44 vs. 0.41 1, not significant). Conclusions: This morphologic grading system identified subsets of patients who had maximal functional benefit from unilateral or bilateral reduction pneumoplasty and might be useful in the preoperative screening of candidates for either approach. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V

Role of interventional radiology in pudendal neuralgia: A description of techniques and review of the literature [Ruolo della radiologia interventistica nella nevralgia del nervo pudendo: Descrizione della tecnica e revisione della letteratura]

Purpose: The authors sought to evaluate indications, technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided pudendal nerve infiltration in patients with chronic anoperineal pain by reviewing the role of the CT technique in their personal experience and in the recent interventional literature. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight women, mean age 50 years, and with a diagnosis of pudendal neuralgia on the basis of clinical and electromyographic criteria were enrolled in the study. CT-guided pudendal nerve injections were performed during three consecutive sessions held 2 weeks apart. In each session, patients received two percutaneous injections: one in the ischial spine, and the other in the pudendal (Alcock's) canal. Results: One patient dropped out of the study after the first session. At clinical assessment, 24h h after treatment, 21/27 patients reported significant pain relief. At follow-up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, 24/27 patients reported a ≥ 20% improvement in the Quality of Life (QOL) index. Conclusions. In pudendal nerve entrapment, CT-guided perineural injection in the anatomical sites of nerve impingement is a safe and reproducible treatment with a clinical efficacy of 92% at 12 months. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Italia

The use of openfoam as a virtual laboratory to simulate oscillating water column wave energy converters

The Oscillating Water Column is one of the oldest concepts for wave energy harvesting. T e device optimization is still a crucial point for the commercial-scale diffusion of this technology. Therefore, research at fundamental level is still required. The implementation and the application a CFD code for the conduction of a parameter study aiming at the optimization of the device is presented. The numerical set up and the validation of a virtual wave flume in the open-source environment OpenFOAM® are initially presented, using comparatively different wave generation approaches. The application of the model to simulate the device and a validation with physical results are shown. The model solves incompressible 3D Navier-Stokes equations for a single Eulerian fluid mixture of water and air, using a Finite Volume Method for equations discretization and the Volume Of Fluid method for free surface tracking. Different turbulence models are tested, comparing their suitability for this particular application both in terms of computational cost and model capability to reproduce the experimental data

Cryptography based on neural networks - analytical results

Mutual learning process between two parity feed-forward networks with discrete and continuous weights is studied analytically, and we find that the number of steps required to achieve full synchronization between the two networks in the case of discrete weights is finite. The synchronization process is shown to be non-self-averaging and the analytical solution is based on random auxiliary variables. The learning time of an attacker that is trying to imitate one of the networks is examined analytically and is found to be much longer than the synchronization time. Analytical results are found to be in agreement with simulations

Spinal hydatidosis relapse: a case report

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the Echinococcus granulosus and the most common sites affected are the liver and lung in approximately 80–90% of cases. The hydatid bone represents the 0.5–2.5% of all cases and localization cord is present about 50% of the time. This benign and commonly asymptomatic disease may simulate an aggressive malignancy because of osseous destruction and aggressive extension. We report a case of a 42-year-old male patient, presented with an unusual spinal hydatidosis relapse, related to anthelmintic drug therapy withdrawal after 10-year treatment. The man had previous excision of chest and hepatic hydatid cysts (resp., 10 and 3 years ago) and after primary mediastinal and spinal involvement (3 years ago) he was lost to follow-up and discontinued drug therapy. The patient underwent surgery and the postoperative histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. The patient recovered with no complications. Despite significant progress in diagnostic imaging, pharmacological and surgical therapy, spinal CE remains associated with high morbidity