41 research outputs found
The Fine Line Between Decent and Indecent Work in Italy and the US: Agricultural Work at the Intersection of the Community, Supply Chains and the State
Considering the importance and centrality of agricultural supply chains in the global economy and the related structures of vulnerability that are intrinsic in how food is produced, where food represents both a need and an important source of profit, and therefore of inequalities, agriculture can be viewed as one of the organizational fields most characterized by episodes of labour exploitation. In more detail, labour in agriculture is characterized by an interconnection of different domains, that is immigration, housing, transportation, and health, as well as a lack of labour protections to mention some of the different areas of intersection. Thus, agriculture compared to other industries represents the area of the economy where alternative and creative forms of labour organizing appear to be more necessary and required. On this subject, community unionism represents one important response. Nevertheless, despite the peculiarity of agricultural labour, research at the intersection of agricultural labour and community unionism is still underdeveloped, especially with a comparative approach aimed to highlight systematically the common trends at the global level. This doctoral research aims to advance this literature on community unionism by proposing a conceptualization of community unionism in agriculture that is empirically grounded on a comparative research about community unionism in Italy and the US. From a theoretical perspective, I draw on critical sensemaking, the related concept of sensegiving, and Freire’s critical pedagogy theory. This choice is motivated by the adoption of Freire’s popular education by many workers’ organizations, and by the intention to propose a framework that, through Freire’s reflection on oppression, is a critical reconstruction of alternative organizing in agriculture as a set of sensemaking and sensegiving processes aimed to reshape agricultural contexts. Therefore, this research expands existing literature regarding community unionism, by proposing a conceptualization of exploitation and community unionism in agriculture. This conceptualization is based on three contexts of power and agency at which challenges to decent work – and therefore responses to them - happen, i.e., community, supply chains, and the state
Astroparticle Constraints from the Cosmic Star Formation Rate Density at High Redshift: Current Status and Forecasts for JWST
We exploit the recent determination of cosmic star formation rate (SFR)
density at redshifts to derive astroparticle constraints on three
common dark matter scenarios alternative to standard cold dark matter (CDM):
warm dark matter (WDM), fuzzy dark matter (DM) and self-interacting dark
matter (SIDM). Our analysis relies on the UV luminosity functions measured by
the Hubble Space Telescope out to and down to UV magnitudes
. We extrapolate these to fainter yet unexplored
magnitude ranges, and perform abundance matching with the halo mass functions
in a given DM scenario, so obtaining a relationship between the UV magnitude
and the halo mass. We then compute the cosmic SFR density by integrating the
extrapolated UV luminosity functions down to a faint magnitude limit , which is determined via the above abundance matching
relationship by two free parameters: the minimum threshold halo mass for galaxy formation, and the astroparticle quantity
characterizing each DM scenario (namely, particle mass for WDM and DM,
and kinetic temperature at decoupling for SIDM). We perform Bayesian
inference on such parameters via a MCMC technique by comparing the cosmic SFR
density from our approach to the current observational estimates at , constraining the WDM particle mass to keV, the DM particle mass to
eV, and the
SIDM temperature to keV at
() confidence level. We then forecast how such constraints will be
strengthened by upcoming refined estimates of the cosmic SFR density, if the
early data on the UV luminosity function at from JWST will be
confirmed down to ultra-faint magnitudes.Comment: 18 pages, accepted in MDPI Universe. arXiv admin note: text overlap
with arXiv:2205.0947
Little Ado about Everything: CDM, a Cosmological Model with Fluctuation-driven Acceleration at Late Times
[abridged] We propose a model of the Universe (dubbed CDM) featuring a
stochastic evolution of the cosmological quantities, that is meant to render
small deviations from homogeneity/isotropy on scales of Mpc at
late cosmic times, associated to the emergence of the cosmic web. Specifically,
we prescribe that the behavior of the matter/radiation energy densities in
different patches of the Universe with such a size can be effectively described
by a stochastic version of the mass-energy evolution equation. The latter
includes an appropriate noise term that statistically accounts for local
fluctuations due to inhomogeneities, anisotropic stresses and matter flows. The
evolution of the different patches as a function of cosmic time is rendered via
the diverse realizations of the noise term; meanwhile, at any given cosmic
time, sampling the ensemble of patches will originate a nontrivial spatial
distribution of the cosmological quantities. The overall behavior of the
Universe will be obtained by averaging over the patch ensemble. We assume a
physically reasonable parameterization of the noise term, gauging it against a
wealth of cosmological datasets. We find that, with respect to standard
CDM, the ensemble-averaged cosmic dynamics in the CDM model is
substantially altered in three main respects: (i) an accelerated expansion is
enforced at late cosmic times without the need for any additional exotic
component (e.g., dark energy); (ii) the spatial curvature can stay small even
in a low-density Universe; (iii) matter can acquire an effective negative
pressure at late times. We provide predictions for the variance of the
cosmological quantities among different patches of the Universe at late cosmic
times. Finally, we show that in CDM the Hubble-tension is solved, and the
cosmic coincidence problem is relieved without invoking the anthropic
principle.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures, typos corrected. Accepted by Ap
Real‐world use of endoscopic and histological indices in ulcerative colitis:Results of a global survey
Assessment of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet count as predictors of long-term outcome after R0 resection for colorectal cancer
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and platelet count (PC) were shown to be prognostic in several solid malignancies. We analysed 603 R0 resected patients to assess whether NLR, PLR and PC correlate with other well-known prognostic factors and survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to define cut-off values for high and low ratios of these indices. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the prognostic value of NLR, PLR and PC for overall and cancer-related survival. The distribution of NLR, PLR and PC in CRC patients was compared with 5270 healthy blood donors. The distribution of NLR, PLR and PC was significantly different between CRC patients and controls (all p\u2009<\u20090.05). A significant but heterogeneous association was found between the main CRC prognostic factors and high values of NLR, PLR and PC. Survival appeared to be worse in patients with high NLR with cancers in AJCC/UICC TNM Stages I-IV; nonetheless its prognostic value was not confirmed for cancer-related survival in multivariate analysis. After stratification of patients according to AJCC/UICC TNM stages, high PC value was significantly correlated with overall and cancer-related survival in TNM stage IV patients
Role of inflammatory and immune-nutritional prognostic markers in patients undergoing surgical resection for biliary tract cancers
The relationship between immune-nutritional status and tumor growth; biological aggressiveness and survival, is still debated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prognostic performance of different inflammatory and immune-nutritional markers in patients who underwent surgery for biliary tract cancer (BTC). The prognostic role of the following inflammatory and immune-nutritional markers were investigated: Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), Prognostic Index (PI), Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Platelet to Lymphocyte ratio (PLR), Lymphocyte to Monocyte ratio (LMR), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI). A total of 282 patients undergoing surgery for BTC were included. According to Cox regression and ROC curves analysis for survival, LMR had the best prognostic performances, with hazard ratio (HR) of 1.656 (p = 0.005) and AUC of 0.652. Multivariable survival analysis identified the following independent prognostic factors: type of BTC (p = 0.002), T stage (p = 0.014), N stage (p < 0.001), histological grading (p = 0.045), and LMR (p = 0.025). Conversely, PNI was related to higher risk of severe morbidity (p < 0.001) and postoperative mortality (p = 0.005). In conclusion, LMR appears an independent prognostic factor of long-term survival, whilst PNI seems associated with worse short-term outcomes
PICaSSO Histologic Remission Index (PHRI) in ulcerative colitis: development of a novel simplified histological score for monitoring mucosal healing and predicting clinical outcomes and its applicability in an artificial intelligence system
[EN] Histological remission is evolving as an important treatment target in UC. We aimed to develop a simple histological index, aligned to endoscopy, correlated with clinical outcomes, and suited to apply to an artificial intelligence (AI) system to evaluate inflammatory activity. Methods Using a set of 614 biopsies from 307 patients with UC enrolled into a prospective multicentre study, we developed the Paddington International virtual ChromoendoScopy ScOre (PICaSSO) Histologic Remission Index (PHRI). Agreement with multiple other histological indices and validation for inter-reader reproducibility were assessed. Finally, to implement PHRI into a computer-aided diagnosis system, we trained and tested a novel deep learning strategy based on a CNN architecture to detect neutrophils, calculate PHRI and identify active from quiescent UC using a subset of 138 biopsies. Results PHRI is strongly correlated with endoscopic scores (Mayo Endoscopic Score and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity and PICaSSO) and with clinical outcomes (hospitalisation, colectomy and initiation or changes in medical therapy due to UC flare-up). A PHRI score of 1 could accurately stratify patients' risk of adverse outcomes (hospitalisation, colectomy and treatment optimisation due to flare-up) within 12 months. Our inter-reader agreement was high (intraclass correlation 0.84). Our preliminary AI algorithm differentiated active from quiescent UC with 78% sensitivity, 91.7% specificity and 86% accuracy. Conclusions PHRI is a simple histological index in UC, and it exhibits the highest correlation with endoscopic activity and clinical outcomes. A PHRI-based AI system was accurate in predicting histological remission.MI and SG are funded by the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham.Gui, X.; Alina Bazarova; Del Amor, R.; Vieth, M.; De Hertogh, G.; Villanacci, V.; Zardo, D.... (2022). PICaSSO Histologic Remission Index (PHRI) in ulcerative colitis: development of a novel simplified histological score for monitoring mucosal healing and predicting clinical outcomes and its applicability in an artificial intelligence system. Gut. 71:889-898. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2021-3263768898987
Artificial Intelligence Enabled Histological Prediction of Remission or Activity and Clinical Outcomes in Ulcerative Colitis
Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy
IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical
attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced
colorectal cancers at diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced
oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all
17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December
31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period),
in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was
30 days from surgery.
EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery,
palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer
at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as
cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding,
lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery,
and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes
was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster
variable.
RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years)
underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142
(56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was
significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR],
1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic
lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients
undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for
these patients