Quantum Gaussian Channels with Additive Correlated Classical Noise

We provide a model to study memory effects in quantum Gaussian channels with additive classical noise over an arbitrary number of uses. The correlation among different uses is introduced by contiguous two-mode interactions. Numerical results for few modes are presented. They confirm the possibility to enhance the classical information rate with the aid of entangled inputs, and show a likely asymptotic behavior that should lead to the full capacity of the channel

Forgetfulness of continuous Markovian quantum channels

The notion of forgetfulness, used in discrete quantum memory channels, is slightly weakened in order to be applied to the case of continuous channels. This is done in the context of quantum memory channels with Markovian noise. As a case study, we apply the notion of weak-forgetfulness to a bosonic memory channel with additive noise. A suitable encoding and decoding unitary transformation allows us to unravel the effects of the memory, hence the channel capacities can be computed using known results from the memoryless setting.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, comments are welcome. Minor corrections and acknoledgment adde

Seismic Performance Evaluation of Timber-framed Masonry Walls. Experimental Tests and Numerical Modelling

This book presents a selection of the best papers from the HEaRT 2013 conference, held in Cosenza, Italy, which provided a valuable forum for engineers and architects, researchers, and educators to exchange views and findings concerning the technological history, construction features, and seismic behavior of historical timber-framed walls in the Mediterranean countries. The topics covered are wide ranging and include historical aspects and examples of the use of timber-framed construction systems in response to earthquakes, such as the gaiola system in Portugal and the Bourbon system in southern Italy; interpretation of the response of timber-framed walls to seismic actions based on calculations and experimental tests; assessment of the effectiveness of repair and strengthening techniques, e.g., using aramid fiber wires or sheets; and modelling analyses. In addition, on the basis of case studies, a methodology is presented that is applicable to diagnosis, strengthening, and improvement of seismic performance and is compatible with modern theoretical principles and conservation criteria. It is hoped that, by contributing to the knowledge of this construction technique, the book will help to promote conservation of this important component of Europe’s architectural heritage

Paridade de armas, imparcialidade do Judiciário e o papel das partes na investigação preliminar: a perspectiva da justiça criminal italiana

The analysis of the prosecutorial inquiry in Italian criminal proceedings displays a complex scenario. In spite of the progressive enhancement of participatory rights of private parties, the overwhelming role of the investigative authorities does not set the necessary conditions for effective equality of arms, while largely frustrating the tasks of the judiciary. To a great extent, the maintenance of several decision-making and coercive powers of the public prosecutor still largely reflect the old conception of an independent body of justice. Even though the individuals involved in the prosecutorial inquiry are ensured participation in a number of police and prosecutorial investigations, legal assistance often lacks effectiveness, and the possibilities of defence lawyers conducting autonomous investigations are scant and only achieve a formal level of par condicio. Certainly, this set-up cannot be justified in a human rights-oriented model of criminal justice. De lege ferenda, the enhancement of the tasks of competent judge for the pre-trial inquiry, who under Italian law is not an investigative magistrate but is called upon to ensure the proper fulfilment of procedural safeguards, appears to constitute today the best alternative to one-sided investigations and the dominant role of the investigative authorities. A análise da investigação pelo Ministério Público no processo penal italiano apresenta um cenário complexo. Apesar do aumento progressivo dos direitos de participação das partes, o papel imenso das autoridades investigativas não determina as condições para a efetividade da paridade de armas, e também prejudica amplamente as tarefas do julgador. Em grande medida, a conservação de vários poderes decisórios e coercitivos do Ministério Público ainda refletem a antiga concepção de um independente membro de Justiça. Ainda que os indivíduos envolvidos na investigação ministerial possam participar em alguns atos policiais e do Ministério Público, a defesa técnica em muitas vezes carece de efetividade, e as possibilidades de investigações autônomas por advogados de defesa são limitadas e somente determinam uma igualdade em nível formal. Certamente, esse cenário não pode ser justificado em um modelo de justiça criminal orientado por direitos humanos. De lege ferenda, o aumento das tarefas do juiz competente para a investigação preliminar, que sistema italiano de justiça penal não é um juiz instrutor, mas um juiz de garantias, mostra-se atualmente como a melhor alternativa em relação a investigações unilaterais e o papel dominante de autoridades investigativas

L’ergonomia sociale

Il ruolo speciale degli aspetti sociali all’interno dei contesti di Comunicazione Mediata dal Computer è sempre più evidente. Lo scritto analizza come si giunge a una concettualizzazione dell’ergonomia sociale a partire da modelli teorici consolidati e da prospettive diverse, al fine di giungere a una proposta volta a ricercare la migliore progettazione dei sistemi formativi al fine di avere un apprendimento efficace

La leadership nei contesti dell’interazione virtuale

Tra i diversi ambiti di ricerca, quello che assume il ruolo più importante per la prospettiva dell’ergonomia sociale è in buona parte rappresentato dagli studi sulla leadership. L’importanza di una leadership nella guida di un gruppo per il raggiungimento di risultati, sia in termini di efficacia ed efficienza, sia in termini di soddisfazione per i partecipanti al gruppo, è condizione nota e segnalata da innumerevoli ricerche. Disegnare e favorire le migliori condizioni affinché, all’interno dei contesti di Comunicazione Mediata dal Computer (CMC), questo avvenga è uno dei compiti propri dell’ergonomia sociale. In questo articolo vengono evidenziate le caratteristiche della leadership secondo alcune importanti aree di ricerca, vedremo la leadership all’interno della teoria dell’Identità Sociale, gli aspetti di riconoscibilità del leader, la leadership condivisa e la leadership trasformazionale e transazionale. Cercheremo, infine, di inquadrare ciascuno di questi aspetti all’interno delle dinamiche proprie della comunicazione mediata dal computer

Levels of burn-out among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associated factors: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital of a highly burdened area of north-east Italy

Objective: To determine burn-out levels and associated factors among healthcare personnel working in a tertiary hospital of a highly burdened area of north-east Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Observational study conducted from 21 April to 6 May 2020 using a web-based questionnaire. Setting: Research conducted in the Verona University Hospital (Veneto, Italy). Participants: Out of 2195 eligible participants, 1961 healthcare workers with the full range of professional profiles (89.3%) completed the survey. Primary outcome measure: Levels of burn-out, assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with burn-out in each MBI-GS dimension (emotional exhaustion, EX; professional efficacy, EF; cynicism, CY). Results: Overall, 38.3% displayed high EX, 46.5% low EF and 26.5% high CY. Burn-out was frequent among staff working in intensive care units (EX 57.0%; EF 47.8%; CY 40.1%), and among residents (EX 34.9%; EF 63.9%; CY 33.4%) and nurses (EX 49.2%; EF 46.9%; CY 29.7%). Being a resident increased the risk of burn-out (by nearly 2.5 times) in all the three MBI subscales and being a nurse increased the risk of burn-out in the EX dimension in comparison to physicians. Healthcare staff directly engaged with patients with COVID-19 showed more EX and CY than those working in non-COVID wards. Finally, the risk of burn-out was higher in staff showing pre-existing psychological problems, in those having experienced a COVID-related traumatic event and in those having experienced interpersonal avoidance in the workplace and personal life. Conclusions: Burn-out represents a great concern for healthcare staff working in a large tertiary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact is more burdensome for front-line junior physicians. This study underlines the need to carefully address psychological well-being of healthcare workers to prevent the increase of burn-out in the event of a new COVID-19 healthcare emergency

A deployable and inflatable robotic arm concept for aerospace applications

The interest in soft systems for space missions represents a growing trend in recent years. The development of inflatable robots, combined with the improvement of deployment mechanisms, allows to build novel lightweight and deployable robotic manipulators. In several space applications, the use of soft robots could minimize bulk and mass, reducing space mission costs. The main challenges in soft robotics are the control of the system and the exertion of high forces. In this manuscript, the concept of an inflatable manipulator with two inflatable links and three degrees of freedom is proposed. After a review about the possible materials to be used for the inflatable parts, the robot mechanical structure, the deploying strategy and the pneumatic line are presented. Then, an elastostatic approach is proposed to model the robot with the aim of developing its control. The last section shows preliminary experimental tests performed on the link prototype with the purpose to evaluate a static characterization in relation to the supplied pressure. Results suggest the validity of the adopted approach to model the system and clarify the pressure influence about the system performances. The study puts the basis for the development of the first prototype of the robotic system

Clinical management of endoscopically resected pT1 colorectal cancer

Background Implementation of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs increases endoscopic resection of polyps with early invasive CRC (pT1). Risk of lymph node metastasis often leads to additional surgery, but despite guidelines, correct management remains unclear. Our aim that are diagnosed and treated endoscopically and this number is expected to increase [1,2].Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing endoscopic resection of pT1 CRC from 2006 to 2016. Clinical, endoscopic, surgical treatment, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Lesions were categorized according to endoscopic/histological risk-factors into low and high risk groups. Comorbidities were classified according to the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Surgical referral for each group was computed, and dissociation from current European CRC screening guidelines recorded. Multivariate analysis for factors affecting the post-endoscopic surgery referral was performed.Results Seventy-two patients with endoscopically resected pT1-CRC were included. Overall, 20 (27.7%) and 52 (72.3%) were classified as low and high risk, respectively. In the low risk group, 11 (55%) were referred to surgery, representing over-treatment compared with current guidelines. In the high risk group, nonsurgical endoscopic surveillance was performed in 20 (38.5%) cases, representing potential under-treatment. After a median follow-up of 30 (6-130) months, no patients developed tumor recurrence. At multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.21, 95 %CI 1.02 -1.42; P = 0.02) and CCI (OR 1.67, 95 %CI 1.12 -3.14; P= 0.04) were independent predictors for subsequent surgery.Conclusions A substantial rate of inappropriate post-endoscopic treatment of pT1-CRC was observed when compared with current guidelines. This was apparently related to an overestimation of patient-related factors rather than endoscopically or histologically related factors