Exact solution of time-dependent Lindblad equations with closed algebras

Time-dependent Lindblad master equations have important applications in areas ranging from quantum thermodynamics to dissipative quantum computing. In this paper we outline a general method for writing down exact solutions of time-dependent Lindblad equations whose superoperators form closed algebras. We focus on the particular case of a single qubit and study the exact solution generated by both coherent and incoherent mechanisms. We also show that if the time-dependence is periodic, the problem may be recast in terms of Floquet theory. As an application, we give an exact solution for a two-levels quantum heat engine operating in a finite-time.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figure

EZH2 Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs): Diagnostic and Prognostic Role in 10 Solid Tumor Types

The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) gene encodes a histone methyltransferase that is a catalytic subunit of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) group of proteins that act to repress gene expression. The EZH2 locus is rarely mutated in solid tumors and there is no comprehensive study of EZH2 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) associated with cancer susceptibility, prognosis and response to therapy. Here, for the first time, we review the functional roles of EZH2 DNA variants and propose a putative etiological role in 10 various solid tumors including: esophageal, hepatocellular, oral, urothelial, colorectal, lung and gastric cancers. In particular, we found that the C allele of the EZH2 variant rs3757441 is associated with increased EZH2 RNA expression and poorer prognosis (advanced stage) in at least two malignancies such as colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma. This suggests that the C allele may be a functional risk variant in multiple malignant tumors. We therefore propose that the rs3757441 single nucleotide variant (SNV) be genotyped and real-time PCR assays be performed in large cohort studies in order to confirm this preliminary finding that could be useful for clinical practice

The genetic susceptibility in the development of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer of the pleural cavity whose main risk factor is exposure to asbestos. However, it has been shown that only a minority of exposed people develops MPM. In fact, the incidence among professionally exposed workers was shown to vary between 0.5% and 18.0%. Various hints suggested that other important cofactors could play a role, in particular the genetic susceptibility. Impressive is the case of Cappadocians families exposed to erionite and affected by an "epidemic" of MPM with about half of the inhabitants dying for the disease. However, no results for a "Cappadocia" gene of susceptibility to MPM have been obtained yet and more studies are needed. Among asbestos-exposed workers, several studies reported familial cases of MPM, suggesting that heredity could be important in the tumor development. However, large studies on familial clusters showed only weak increased risks that could be attributable also to indirect exposures in a contaminated household. Moreover, the risk of developing MPM is increased of a limited extent among people exposed to asbestos with a positive history of familial cancers. A particular is represented by carriers of germline mutations within BAP1 gene. In families and in animal models, mutations within BAP1 are strongly predisposing to develop MPM. However, also other types of cancer (such as uveal melanoma) are present, thus BAP1 mutations are considered as responsible for a hereditary form of a multi-cancer syndrome. In any case, among sporadic MPM, the prevalence of germline BAP1 mutations is negligible. Finally, genetic studies highlighted the presence of low-risk susceptibility alleles, such as those within XRCC3, NAT2 or GSTM1. Two different genome-wide association studies could not find positive associations reaching the genome-wide statistical significance threshold, however, both were concordant in showing a weak signal within the SDK1 gene region. Overall, it could be concluded that, as for other types of sporadic cancers, the susceptibility to develop MPM following asbestos exposure is modulated moderately by the individual genetic background. Further studies on larger series could help in a better characterization of more genes predisposing to MPM, being this tumor a rare disease

Factors Influencing the Use of the Balanced Scorecard: Evidence from a Regional Context in Italy

The balanced scorecard (BSC) has received considerable attention, by companies and researchers, for its potentiality in mitigating the limitations of traditional management accounting tools and supporting strategic management. Despite this interest, there is still little empirical evidence on the levels of BSC implementation and the contingency factors influencing it. This study explores whether company size and type of industry affect the BSC use and focuses on motivations of the BSC use (or non-use). A survey was conducted in a highly productive region, Northeast Italy, and quantitative analysis was carried out to assess the statistical significance of the association between the contingency factors and the BSC use. The results confirm prior studies showing that BSC use is biased towards larger companies. However, this holds in every industry except in manufacturing, where also small firms are prone to adopt it. A qualitative analysis integrates these results highlighting that the BSC is mainly used to align objectives and improve business processes and communication within organization

Organizational Factors Affecting Charitable Giving in the Environmental Nonprofit Context

Nonprofit organizations operating in the environmental protection and conservation sector face challenging fundraising issues in collecting from individual donors the money needed to accomplish their goals. The purpose of this study was to investigate which organizational factors can play a role in influencing the ability of these organizations to collect charitable contributions. By applying an extended version of the economic model of giving to a sample of 142 environmental nonprofits from the United States, the results of the regression analyses show that the following factors allow these organizations to attract more donations: devoting a high percentage of donations to programs, promoting the organization\u2019s image through fundraising activities, having a large amount of assets that ensures a sustainable financial structure, and providing online information that demonstrates how the organization has dealt with its mission. Moreover, the study reveals that providing high amounts of disclosure on the organization\u2019s website can have a conditional effect on fundraising expenses by boosting the positive effect of these expenses on donations. The results of this study contribute to the debate on the effectiveness of organizational factors in attracting funds from donors willing to support environmental nonprofits

Is Local Public Transport unsuitable for elderly? Exploring the cases of two Italian cities

Longer life expectancy combined with improved health and economic conditions will allow old people to enjoy more and for longer time their urban environment if accessibility to places and services is guaranteed. \u2022 As the activity space of old people shrinks with growing age, the conditions within the immediate residential environment increase in importance (\u201cageing in place\u201d). \u2022 Analysis of a representative sample of over 65 in Milan and Genoa aiming to explore why old people were unable to take trips and activities because of the perceived inadequacy of the Local Public Transport (LPT) service. \u2022 Findings confirm the importance that the perception about high quality LPT service and high quality of life plays in reducing the probability of old people to give up their usual activities, and consequently improve their life satisfaction

Knee OA management: A cost-effectiveness analysis of platelet-rich-plasma versus hyaluronic acid for the intra-articular treatment of knee OA in France

Objectives: The aim of this work is to carry out an economic evaluation of the intra-articular (i.a.) use of the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy in the short period treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Recently the scientific literature has shown the effectiveness of this treatment. The comparator adopted is the Hyaluronic acid (HA) which represents the standard i.a. therapy. Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using a decision tree model. The effectiveness outcomes are reported in terms of Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY). The costs are reported in Euro (€) currency evaluated in 2016. Deterministic and probabilistic sensibility analyses are reported in order to evaluate the robustness of the results and account for the different sources of uncertainty. Results: The PRP therapy results more costly but also more effective than HA. Using a Willingness to pay thresholds of € 10,000/QALY, the PRP is cost-effective with respect to HA, for patient with moderate to severe knee OA, presenting an Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) of €760 per QALY

Lindblad-Floquet description of finite-time quantum heat engines

The operation of autonomous finite-time quantum heat engines rely on the existence of a stable limit cycle in which the dynamics becomes periodic. The two main questions that naturally arise are therefore whether such a limit cycle will eventually be reached and, once it has, what is the state of the system within the limit cycle. In this paper we show that the application of Floquet's theory to Lindblad dynamics offers clear answers to both questions. By moving to a generalized rotating frame, we show that it is possible to identify a single object, the Floquet Liouvillian, which encompasses all operating properties of the engine. First, its spectrum dictates the convergence to a limit cycle. And second, the state within the limit cycle is precisely its zero eigenstate, therefore reducing the problem to that of determining the steady-state of a time-independent master equation. To illustrate the usefulness of this theory, we apply it to a harmonic oscillator subject to a time-periodic work protocol and time-periodic dissipation, an open-system generalization of the Ermakov-Lewis theory. The use of this theory to implement a finite-time Carnot engine subject to continuous frequency modulations is also discussed

Public engagement and dialogic accounting through social media during COVID-19 crisis: a missed opportunity?

Purpose – The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate why and how public health agencies employed social media during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak to foster public engagement and dialogic accounting. Design/methodology/approach – The authors analysed the official Facebook pages of the leading public agencies for health crisis in Italy, United Kingdom and New Zealand and they collected data on the number of posts, popularity, commitment and followers before and during the outbreak. The authors also performed a content analysis to identify the topics covered by the posts. Findings – Empirical results suggest that social media has been extensively used as a public engagement tool in all three countries under analysis but–because of legitimacy threats and resource scarcity–it has also been used as a dialogic accounting tool only in New Zealand. Findings suggest that fake news developed more extensively in contexts where the public body did not foster dialogic accounting. Practical implications – Public agencies may be interested in knowing the pros and cons of using social media as a public engagement and dialogic accounting tool. They may also leverage on dialogic accounting to limit fake news. Originality/value – This study is one of the first to look at the nature and role of social media as an accountability tool during public health crises. In many contexts, COVID-19 forced for the first time public health agencies to heavily engage with the public and to develop new skills, so this study paves the way for numerous future research ideas