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This article assumes that the theory of social capital can contribute to explaining some of the processes behind decision-making independence and the informal aspects of relationship in the implementation of social policies. To support this theoretical proposition by means of case-based empirical evidence, the article focuses on the implementation of the principle of welfare conditionality, which links the access to income support benefits on the acceptance of job search activities and training. Three comparative cases show that its implementation varies significantly in the different contexts: conditionality embodies a very weak principle in Barcelona, which is not applied in practice; in Lyon it has a symbolic function representing a formality that provides access to an unconditional right; in Gothenburg it is implemented as a stringent and effective proof of activation. Among the many institutional and structural factors that help explain these differences, the article shows that there are also specific forms of trust, group identity and mutual recognition that motivate civil servants’ agency and discretionary choices.

Due to the nature of the health emergency and the respective containment measures, working women have been particularly exposed to the first waves of Covid-19. To understand the pandemic’s gendered impact in the Italian labour market, the article focuses on the relation between gender and welfare through the ‘incomplete revolution’ theoretical framework. The aim is to explore whether, among the policies implemented in Italy to cope with the socio-economic consequences of Covid-19, some targeted measures to support women have been introduced. The analysis shows that the public action did not take into account the pre-existing gender inequalities in the labour market and the unequal burden of care responsibilities between women and men, which represent an unpaid extra work that has been amplified by multiple lockdowns and has exacerbated women’s challenges in the labour market. A comparative outlook on emergency measures in Europe demonstrates that the policy response to Covid-19 tends to reproduce the existing institutional and welfare legacies. In Italy, this path-dependency has inhibited welfare measures rethinking in favour of greater gender equality and did not allow the pandemic crisis to be a turning point at which to begin healing the gender fracture

PURPOSE: Lactate thresholds are physiological parameters used to train athletes and monitor performance or training. Currently, the assessment of lactate thresholds in kayakers is performed in a laboratory setting utilizing specific ergometers; however, laboratory tests differ from on-water evaluation for several reasons. The aim of this study was to assess reliability and validity of a new on-water incremental test for the assessment of blood lactate response to exercise in flat-water kayakers. Maximal lactate steady state test (MLSS) was used as criterion measurement. METHODS: Eleven junior (16.5±1.9yr) élite flat-water kayakers performed: i) an incremental cardiopulmonary test up to voluntary exhaustion on a stationary kayak ergometer to determine peak oxygen uptake; ii) an on-water 1000m distance trial (T1000) to record best performance time and average speed (S1000); iii) two repetitions of on-water incremental kayaking test (WIK-test); iv) several repetitions of on-water constant speed tests to determine MLSS. Speed, heart rate and blood lactate concentrations were determined during on-water tests. RESULTS: The best performance time in T1000 was 262±13s, corresponding to an S1000 of 3.82±0.19m·s. Lactate threshold determined by modified Dmax method (LTDmod) during WIK-test was 2.78±1.02mmol·L and the corresponding speed (SLT) was 3.34±0.16m·s. Test-retest reliability, calculated on SLT, was strong (ICC=0.95 and r=0.93). MLSS corresponded to 3.06±0.68mmol·L and was reached at a speed (SMLSS) of 3.36±0.14m·s. Correlation coefficient between SLT and SMLSS was 0.90 (p=0.0001). Interestingly, a significant correlation (r=0.96, p

ADE (Autonomous DEcision making in Very Long Traverses) is an ongoing H2020 project aiming to develop key technologies for future space robotics missions. The focus of the project is to develop an exhaustive autonomous system for planetary rover exploration that can traverse at least 1km/sol, perform and maximize the scientific data collection, take appropriate decisions in nominal and contingency situations and ensure its safety at any moment. In this paper we describe the system developed and its capabilities, along with the validation approach and testing facilities.

This paper deals with two of the main topics in the debate on varieties of capitalism: first, the process of convergence or divergence between the different models; second, the identification of factors affecting the diverse outcomes in terms of inclusive growth in European countries. The analysis shows that for the two dimensions considered here, competitiveness and inclusion, models of capitalism continue to follow different paths, both in their policy configuration and outcomes. In this process, a key role is played by the agency of three actors: State, social partners and firms. Different forms of agency of these actors are identified and the diverse trajectories of the models of capitalism are highlighted, as result of the tension between institutional structure, historical legacy and the agency of these actors.

The extent to which HIV-1 proviral DNA mutations cause clinically relevant antiretroviral resistance is still controversial. Paired plasma HIV-1 RNA and whole blood DNA were compared in patients failing HAART to investigate if the additional knowledge of archived mutations could improve the selection of potentially active drugs. Seventy-three HIV-1-infected patients with first/second HAART failure were studied before starting a new regimen based on RNA genotyping. Follow-up data after a 12-week therapy were available. DNA genotyping was retrospectively performed on stored whole blood samples and mutational profiles were compared to those from RNA. The mean number of IAS pol mutations was significantly higher in RNA (4.45 ± 2.76) than in DNA (2.88 ± 2.47) (P < 0.001). DNA genotyping provided a 6% increase in detection of resistance-associated mutations. Among 64/73 patients showing discordant DNA/RNA profiles, 54 (84%) also differed for predicted active drugs. 16/73 (22%) patients had ≥1 mutation revealed by DNA genotyping alone, probably affecting therapy success in 2/16. However, neither RNA/DNA discordance nor detection of isolated DNA mutations were statistically associated with outcome. In conclusion, plasma RNA remains the elective choice for HIV genotyping in patients with therapy failure, even if the detection of proviral resistance-associated mutations, not simultaneously found in RNA, is a frequent event. Therefore, in some cases DNA plus RNA genotyping might assist in choosing more accurately subsequent antiretroviral regimens. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

This article is part of the scientific debate on European identity and develops the argument in respect of the problem of a deficit of democrac legitimacy in the EU. The results of a case study bring to the fore the importance of the European public sphere in constructing a sense of belonging shared by Europeans.

The aim of this article is to retrospectively evaluate the patient characteristics and the most common infectious diseases in immigrant patients hospitalized in 46 Italian infectious disease clinics during 2002. The main Italian infectious disease clinics were invited to fill in a questionnaire that regarded the number and type of hospital admissions, the country of origin, and demographic features (age, sex, and resident state) of immigrants. A total of 46 clinics including 2255 patients participated in the study. Most patients were men (63%) with an age between 16 and 40 years (63.4%) covered by the National Health Service (71%) and coming from Africa (44.3%). The main infectious diseases observed were: 378 (16.76%) cases of HIV infection, 303 (13.43%) cases of tuberculosis diseases, 282 (12.5%) cases of various forms of viral hepatitis, 177 (7.84%) cases of respiratory diseases, and 196 (8.69%) gastrointestinal diseases. Tropical diseases found were 134 (5.94%) including 95 cases of malaria (70.9%). In conclusion, a broad range of diseases was noted in immigrants which were directly correlated with conditions of poverty. Only a few tropical diseases were diagnosed and therefore the immigrant should not be considered as an infectious disease carrier.