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Analysing EU unemployment and underemployment in a fuzzy perspective: The comparison between fuzzy and official rates
No full textThe current computation of official employment and unemployment rates is based on the sharp distinction between
employed and unemployed. In this study, employment and unemployment are not considered as attributes either present
or absent, but it is assumed that everyone has some degree of both, ranging from 0 to 1. The number of hours worked
and the individual’s satisfaction with those hours are the key variables in determining the intensity of employment
(and unemployment) for any individual in the labour force. Based on this assumption, we apply a fuzzy approach to
derive fuzzy employment and unemployment rates. In particular, this study presents an application of the fuzzy approach
to unemployment and compares official and fuzzy rates across a selection of European countries for the year 2023.
Furthermore, the fuzzy results are discussed in relation to Eurostat’s labour slack statistics on underemployment
Exploring the chemical composition, the antioxidant, and the antiangiogenic potential of ancient onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties through molecular networks and chemometric tools
No full textPreserving plant biodiversity and making sustainable use of genetic resources in agriculture is a topical issue with ecological, economic, and social repercussions. In Italy, some onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties, only cultivated by local farmers, are neglected and worth to be valorised. In this work, a comparative chemical and biological study of nine onion varieties and four commercially available ones was carried out by combining the acquisition of large, high-resolution experimental datasets (LC-HR -ESI-MS2) with molecular networking strategy and chemometric tools. All extracts were investigated for antioxidant properties and antiangiogenic activity by two in vivo models, chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), and zebrafish embryos. ‘Ciatta’, ‘Massese’, and ‘Fiorentina’
indigenous varieties showed potent inhibitory effects on blood vessel formation, comparably with the commercial reference variety ‘Tropea’. The bioactive profile rich in phenols, alkaloids, saponins, and fatty acids of these varieties revealed their health-promoting potential and importance for the agri-food chain
Transcriptomic Profiling of the Tumor Microenvironment in High-Grade Serous Carcinoma: A Pilot Study of Morphologic and Molecular Distinctions Between Classic and SET Patterns
No full textHigh-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) of the ovary is characterized by two major histological patterns: a classic papillary/micropapillary architecture and a solid pseudo-endometrioid transitional (SET) variant. We investigated whether the distinct morphologic subtypes are underpinned by transcriptomic differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We profiled 21 HGSC tumors (7 SET, 14 classic) using a 770-gene NanoString PanCancer Progression panel. Differential expression analysis revealed ~20 genes with significantly different expression (>4-fold, adjusted p < 0.01) between SET and classic tumors. Unsupervised clustering partially separated SET and classic tumors, suggesting that global gene expression patterns correlate with histologic subtype. SET tumors exhibited upregulation of cell-cycle and epithelial genes (e.g., PTTG1, TRAIL, HER3) and downregulation of genes involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, and angiogenesis (e.g., TWIST2, FGF2, decorin) relative to classic tumors. Notably, PTTG1 and TRAIL were upregulated ~6–9-fold in SET tumors, whereas TWIST2 was ~7-fold downregulated, consistent with reduced EMT in SET tumors. Pathway analysis indicated that SET tumors appear to have an immune-active, stroma-poor microenvironment, in line with an “immunoreactive” phenotype, whereas classic tumors showed a mesenchymal, stroma-rich profile. These molecular distinctions could have diagnostic utility and may inform therapeutic stratification, with key dysregulated genes (e.g., HER3, TRAIL, FGF2) representing potential prognostic or predictive biomarkers. For example, high HER3 expression in SET tumors might predict sensitivity to ERBB3/PI3K inhibitors, whereas stromal factors (e.g., FGF2) enriched in classic HGSC could be targeted with microenvironment-modulating therapies. These preliminary findings require validation before translation into pathology practice via immunohistochemical (IHC) assays (e.g., for HER3 or TRAIL), potentially enabling improved classification and personalized treatment of HGSC. We report effect sizes as log2 fold change with 95% confidence intervals and emphasize FDR-adjusted q-values. Given the small sample size and the absence of outcome data (OS/PFS/PFI), results are preliminary and hypothesis-generating. Orthogonal protein-level validation and replication in larger, independent cohorts are required before any translational inference
The impact of chronic conditions on emergency department length of stay
No full textBackground: Emergency Departments (EDs) are increasingly managing elderly patients with chronic diseases and complex comorbidities. While the association between chronic conditions and poor clinical outcomes is well established, their impact on ED operational performance, particularly on length of stay (LOS), remains underexplored. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center observational study at Merano Hospital (Italy), analyzing a random sample of adults ED visits in 2023. Patients were classified as having chronic conditions if they had ≥ 2 pre-existing chronic conditions. Demographic, clinical, and access-related variables were extracted from electronic health records. The primary outcome was ED LOS, defined as the time from registration to ED chart closure, excluding boarding time. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of prolonged LOS (≥ 75th percentile). Results: Among 4172 patients, 12.9% were classified as having chronic conditions. These patients were significantly older and more likely to present with prolonged symptoms and acute exacerbations of chronic illnesses. Median ED LOS was significantly longer among chronic patients (127.6 vs. 97.0 min, p < 0.001). Chronic status emerged as an independent predictor of prolonged LOS (OR 1.537, 95% CI 1.223–1.932). In patients with low triage priority, the presence of chronic conditions was associated with a 54-min increase in LOS and a 52% increase in log-transformed LOS (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Chronic conditions are associated with significantly longer ED management times, irrespective of clinical urgency. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to enhance care integration and alleviate the burden on ED services
Runtime Type-Based Access Control for eBPF
No full texteBPF’s kernel-level flexibility introduces security risks as untrusted programs gain unrestricted access to sensitive data structures. We propose Runtime Type-Based Access Control (RTBAC), a compiler-driven framework that automatically enforces security policies on eBPF programs. By integrating a custom LLVM pass, RTBAC injects runtime checks into the Intermediate Representation (IR) to validate pointer types during dereferencing against kernel-defined policies. This approach leverages Linux’s BPF Type Format (BTF) to resolve nested structures and pointers, while kernel modifications isolate type metadata per program. The solution requires no developer intervention, mitigates risks of third-party eBPF code, and integrates with existing workflows via an out-of-tree LLVM pass
Describing phenotypes in FSHD: an update of the comprehensive clinical evaluation form
No full textBackground: Facioscapolohumeral muscular dystrophy is characterized by a wide clinical variability; the underlying reasons and the relation between them and the genetic markers are still not clear. In fact, the different phenotypes could show a different disease progression and/or imply distinct genetic mechanisms. As clinical trials are approaching also for FSHD, the correct description and stratification of patients becomes mandatory. To address these matters, in 2016 the Italian Clinical Group for FSHD developed the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form (CCEF), aimed at describing the different observed phenotypes in FSHD. Methods: A working group composed by the former developers of the CCEF and other expert clinicians re-evaluated the whole structure of the CCEF, to develop a simplified version for use in clinical practice; also, other expert clinicians not referring to the Italian Clinical Group for FSHD read and approved the CCEF revised version for its international use. Results: We present the CCEF-R, a revised and simplified version of the CCEF, that while maintaining all the core structure and items of the previous validated version, has been modified with new friendlier graphics, focused on the key anamnestic and neurological examination findings, to facilitate its understanding and use in clinical practice. Conclusions: The phenotypical classification combined with the genetic signature should be considered during the diagnostic work out for guiding genetic analysis and for genotype–phenotype correlations and genetic counseling. The CCEF could have a significant role in the clinical stratification process of patients for clinical trials and in laying the groundwork for evidence-based medical decision making
Society of Critical Care Medicine Guidelines on Adult Critical Care Ultrasonography: Focused Update 2024
No full textRATIONALE: Critical care ultrasonography (CCUS) is rapidly evolving with new evidence being published since the prior 2016 guideline. OBJECTIVES: To identify and assess the best evidence regarding the clinical outcomes associated with five CCUS applications in adult patients since the publication of the previous guidelines. PANEL DESIGN: An interprofessional, multidisciplinary, and diverse expert panel of 36 individuals including two patient/family representatives was assembled via an intentional approach. Conflict-of-interest policies were strictly followed in all phases of the guidelines, including task force selection and voting. METHODS: Focused research questions based on Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcomes (PICO) for adult CCUS application were developed. Panelists applied the guidelines revision process described in the Standard Operating Procedures Manual to analyze supporting literature and to develop evidence-based recommendations as a focused update. The evidence was statistically summarized and assessed for quality using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. The evidence-to-decision framework was used to formulate recommendations as strong or conditional. RESULTS: The Adult CCUS Focused Update Guidelines panel aimed to understand the current impact of CCUS on patient important outcomes as they related to five PICO questions in critically ill adults. A rigorous systematic review of evidence to date informed the panel's recommendations. In adult patients with septic shock, acute dyspnea/respiratory failure, or cardiogenic shock, we suggest using CCUS to guide management. Given evidence supporting an improvement in mortality, we suggest the use of CCUS for targeted volume management as opposed to usual care without CCUS. Last, there was insufficient data to determine if CCUS should be used over standard care without CCUS in the management of patients with cardiac arrest. CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines panel achieved strong agreement regarding the recommendations for CCUS to improve patient outcomes. These recommendations are intended for consideration along with the patient's existing clinical status
Pyrolysis of Posidonia oceanica fibrous spheres: A comparative evaluation of conventional and microwave-assisted pyrolysis
No full textPosidonia oceanica debris naturally accumulates on the coastline, negatively affecting the pleasantness of the
beaches, whilst it could be advantageously exploited as a source of novel biofuels and bioproducts. In this work, grinded Posidonia oceanica fibrous spheres have been subjected to thermal pyrolysis, comparing conventional and microwave technologies, working under mild similar conditions, aimed at the integrated production of biochar, bio-oil and syngas. The microwave heating favored the cracking reactions, thus promoting the aromatization path, even more so by including a dephlegmator unit. On the other hand, conventional pyrolysis system reduces such degradation reactions, as demonstrated by the chemical composition of the corresponding bio-oil, which includes more aliphatic compounds. Remarkably, the use of the same biochar as both a microwave absorber and a reducing agent was effective for improving the selective syngas production (63 wt%), mainly composed of H2 and CO (46 and 53 vol%, respectively). The production of higher quality syngas with microwave technology is due to the occurrence of gasification reactions, through the formation of local hot spots. LCA data processing was specifically considered and developed, showing that on the laboratory scale the environmental impact of both technologies is similar, whereas on larger scale microwave-assisted pyrolysis still presents some drawbacks, mainly those associated with energy supply/management. In this context, some specific solutions were provided for making microwave-assisted pyrolysis more competitive with the conventional one, already in the next future, which is a desirable aspect to promote the intensification development of this technology
Optical and structural properties of p-doped Ge/SiGe multiple quantum wells for mid-infrared photonics
No full textWe present a detailed study of hole-doped Ge/SiGe multiple quantum wells as a promising material platform formid-infrared photonics. The heterostructures were grown on SiGe virtual substrates using low-energy plasmaenhanced chemical vapor deposition. Structural and compositional analyses via atom probe tomography and x-ray diffraction were employed to assess the crystal quality and retrieve the compositional profiles. The optical response of the samples, in the 4–12-μm wavelength range, was investigated as a function of the temperature and complementary Hall-effect measurements were performed providing insights into the temperature evolution of the electrical transport properties. In addition, a well-established tight-binding model was used to reproduce and interpret the experimental results starting from the calculated valence band structure