Summary
The global COVID-19 pandemic acted as an exogenous shock that forced organizations to adopt homeworking as a common form of work for many occupations. By that time researchers had been ...stressing the gap between technical feasibility of homeworking – reaching on average one third of employment in both the US and EU28 (Dingel and Neiman 2020, Sostero et al. 2020) – and its practical adoption in organisations. The massive shift to homeworking during the pandemic – especially in countries such as France and Italy, which both experienced a widespread lockdown during the first wave – has been an opportunity to study homeworking across a large and heterogeneous cross-section of occupations and sectors. To that end, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (in Seville) funded real-time cross-occupational qualitative research on which this paper is based.
First, drawing on studies that attribute the delayed spread of homeworking to the dialectic between workers' self-latitude and managerial control, we examined how compulsory homeworking affected workers’ self-latitude to define and perform their tasks. We identified two different phases and temporary arrangements of the worker self-latitude/managerial control dialectic during the time under study. Second, we analyzed how different forms of control developed under the new organization of work. Specifically, we studied how the outcomes varied by occupation and along the vertical division of labour. Our results suggest an ongoing hybridization of personal, technical and bureaucratic forms of control. Accordingly, we agree with labour process theorists who argue that personal, bureaucratic and technical forms of control complement each other, rather than being stages of a linear and functionalist succession.
Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic acted as an exogenous shock that forced organizations to adopt homeworking as a common form of work for many occupations. Drawing on a real-time cross-occupational qualitative survey, we first examined how compulsory homeworking affected workers’ freedom to define and perform their tasks. Second, we analyzed how different forms of control developed under the new organization of work. Specifically, we studied how the outcomes varied by occupation and along the vertical division of labour. Our findings agree with those of labour process theorists who argue that personal, bureaucratic and technical forms of control complement each other, rather than being stages of a linear succession.
JEL classification: L23, M54, 033, J81.
•Arrays of jets with small diameter ensure high heat transfer effectiveness.•Effectiveness of jet arrays reaches a plateau for increasing number of jets.•The asymptotic behavior is due to the ...discharge velocity at the edges of the plate.
Advancements in power electronic technologies require devices which are small, reliable and capable of handling large power levels. Despite efficiencies of electronic components are usually above 90%, wasted thermal powers can result in heat flux densities in the order of hundreds of W/cm2.
To avoid degradation in performance and lifetime of these electronic devices, specific active cooling systems need to be adopted and submerged impinging jets represent one of the most promising solutions. In the present paper a numerical study of different cooling jet configurations is presented, and high-efficiency solutions are sought. The configurations investigated are obtained by varying nozzle diameter, aspect ratio, arrangement and number of jets. Simulations are performed on a simplified computational domain which involves a single rectangular chip (representing the heat source) separated from the coolant by a multi-material solid stack.
As compared to more classical solutions like pin fins, submerged impinging jets represent an efficient technique for the cooling of power electronics. Heat is exchanged at low pumping power level. Array of jets are flexible in terms of geometry and can be specifically designed to control temperatures in critical spots.
When a heat pipe is used as a cooling system for road vehicles, it is subject to acceleration which can adversely affect its thermal performance. In this study, we investigate the possibility of ...applying heat pipes for the cooling of power modules subject to time-varying power dissipation and time-dependent acceleration vectors whose projection along the heat pipe axis is up to 3g. The problem is tackled by modelling the heat pipe through a lumped parameter thermal network (LPTN). A numerical algorithm is used to solve the equations of LPTN representing the heat pipe. The code is then coupled with a 3D CFD solver (OpenFOAM) to perform a 1D/3D co-simulation and test the applicability of heat pipes as the cooling system in high-performance cars.
•Lumped Parameters Thermal Network to simulate heat pipes under acceleration;•1D/3D co-simulation with OpenFOAM to study power module temperature distribution;•Investigation, through an application, of the effect of accelerations on the thermal performance of heat pipes.
Dans la longue histoire du mouvement des coopératives de travailleurs en Italie, la logistique est devenue l’un des secteurs les plus importants durant ces dernières décennies. Pourtant, les ...coopératives ont entamé, au cours des années 1990, un processus généralisé d’« entrepreneurisation ». Par leur cooptation dans les chaînes internationales de valeur, elles sont devenues le pivot d’un régime de travail despotique et de négation de la citoyenneté industrielle. Depuis les années 2010, ce système a été remis en cause par un cycle de mobilisations organisées par les syndicats « de base » (SI Cobas et ADL Cobas), qui ont réclamé la suppression des coopératives, la fin du système de sous-traitance, et le retour à une relation salariale classique. L’action syndicale a permis d’améliorer les conditions de travail des ouvriers. Cependant, les Cobas ont dû aussi faire face aux contraintes institutionnelles propres à ce secteur : la résistance des coopératives à normaliser leur fonctionnement, la réticence des donneurs d’ordres à réduire la pression sur le coût du travail, et l’ambivalence des syndicats traditionnels face aux mobilisations. Le résultat est un compromis précaire, dans lequel l’amélioration des conditions de travail et la reconnaissance des syndicats de base ne reposent pas sur des bases certaines.
Since the body of evidence addressing the coagulation derangements caused by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been constantly growing, we investigated whether pre-hospitalization oral ...anticoagulation (OAC) or in-hospital heparin treatment could have a protective role among COVID-19 patients.
In this cohort study, consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to four different Italian Institutions were enrolled. Baseline demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics, as well as in-hospital treatment and outcomes were evaluated. The primary outcome was mortality.
A total of 844 COVID-19 patients were enrolled as study cohort, n = 65 (7.7%) taking OACs prior to hospitalization. Regarding clinical outcomes, OAC patients developed acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) more frequently than non-OAC patients as well as presenting a higher mortality rate (44.6% vs 19.8%, p < 0.001). At overall multivariate logistical regression, use of heparin (n = 394, 46.6%) was associated with a better chance of survival to hospital discharge (OR 0.60 0.38–0.94, p < 0.001), in particular in patients with AHRF, with no association found with the use of OACs. In a sub-analysis, the highest mortality rate was found for AHRF patients when heparin was not administered.
In our cohort, OACs appeared to be ineffective in reducing mortality rate, while heparin resulted to be a useful treatment when lung disease was sufficiently severe, potentially suggesting a crucial role of microthrombosis in severe COVID-19. Due to the relatively small number of COVID-19 patients treated with OACs included in our analysis and their higher number of comorbidities, larger studies are needed in order to confirm our findings.
•Evidence on a prothrombotic asset caused by COVID-19 has been constantly growing.•In our cohort, OACs appeared to be ineffective in reducing mortality rate.•Heparin resulted to be a useful treatment when lung disease was sufficiently severe.•Microthrombosis may have a crucial role in COVID-19.•Due to the relatively small sample size of OAC patients included, larger studies are needed.
The paper deals with the experimental study of a medium-load spark ignition engine under operation with different fuel mixtures among those deemed as promising for the transition towards carbon-free ...energy systems. In particular, the performance of a non-conventional ignition system, which permits the variation of the ignition energy, the spark intensity and duration, was studied fuelling the engine with 60–40% hydrogen–methane blends, three real syngas mixtures and one biogas. The paper is aimed to find the optimal ignition timing for minimum specific fuel consumption and the best setup of the ignition system for each of the fuel mixtures considered. To this end, a series of steady-state tests were performed at the dynamometer by varying the parameters of the ignition system and running the engine with surrogate hydrogen–methane–nitrogen mixtures that permit the simulation of hydrogen–methane blends, real syngas, and biogas. The results quantify the increase of spark advance associated with the decrease of the fuel quality and discuss the risk of knock onset during methane–hydrogen operation. It was demonstrated that the change of the ignition system parameters does not affect the value of optimum spark advance and, except for the ignition duration, all the parameters’ values are generally not very relevant at full load operation. In contrast, at partial load operation with low-quality syngas or high exhaust gas recirculation rate, it was found that an increase of the maximum ignition energy (to 300 mJ) allows for operation down to approximately 66% of the maximum load before combustion becomes incomplete. Further reductions, down to 25% of the maximum load, can be achieved by increasing the gap between the spark plug electrodes (from 0.25 to 0.5 mm).
A Ba-based glass-ceramic sealant is designed and tested for solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) applications. A suitable SiO2/BaO ratio is chosen in order to obtain BaSi2O5 crystalline phase and ...subsequently favorable thermo-mechanical properties of the glass-ceramic sealant. The glass is analyzed in terms of thermal, thermo-mechanical, chemical, and electrical behavior. Crofer22APU-sealant-Crofer22APU joined samples are tested for 2000 h at 850 °C in a dual atmosphere test rig having reducing atmosphere of H2:H2O 50/50 (mol%) and under the applied voltage of 1.6 V. In order to simulate the SOEC dynamic working conditions, thermal cycles are performed during the long-term electrical resistivity test. The glass-ceramic shows promising behavior in terms of high density, suitable CTE, and stable electrical resistivity (106–107 Ω cm) under SOEC conditions. The SEM-EDS post mortem analysis confirms excellent chemical and thermo-mechanical compatibility of the glass-ceramic with Crofer22APU.
In this study, the electrical resistivity of a glass-ceramic sealant is evaluated at 850 °C, for 2800 h under the applied voltage of 1.6 V. The glass-ceramic sealant is sandwiched between two ...Crofer22APU plates to produce Crofer22APU/Glass-ceramic/Crofer22APU samples. The Crofer22APU/glass-ceramic/Crofer22APU joints show electrical resistivity around 106-107 Ω cm, significantly high to ensure the insulation between two conductive interconnect plates. The detailed SEM-EDS post mortem analysis showed good thermo-mechanical compatibility of the glass-ceramic with the Crofer22APU substrates, thus excluding any detrimental interaction with the metallic interconnect under high applied voltage. XRD analysis of glass-ceramic confirmed the presence of crystalline phases with suitable CTEs, after electrical resistivity under harsh conditions.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which belongs to beta group of coronavirus, can infect multiple host species and causes severe diseases in humans. Multiple surveillance and ...phylogenetic studies suggest a bat origin. In this study, we describe the detection and full genome characterization of two CoVs closely related to MERS-CoV from two Italian bats, Pipistrellus kuhlii and Hypsugo savii.
Pool of viscera were tested by a pan-coronavirus RT-PCR. Virus isolation was attempted by inoculation in different cell lines. Full genome sequencing was performed using the Ion Torrent platform and phylogenetic trees were performed using IQtree software. Similarity plots of CoV clade c genomes were generated by using SSE v1.2. The three dimensional macromolecular structure (3DMMS) of the receptor binding domain (RBD) in the S protein was predicted by sequence-homology method using the protein data bank (PDB).
Both samples resulted positive to the pan-coronavirus RT-PCR (IT-batCoVs) and their genome organization showed identical pattern of MERS CoV. Phylogenetic analysis showed a monophyletic group placed in the Beta2c clade formed by MERS-CoV sequences originating from humans and camels and bat-related sequences from Africa, Italy and China. The comparison of the secondary and 3DMMS of the RBD of IT-batCoVs with MERS, HKU4 and HKU5 bat sequences showed two aa deletions located in a region corresponding to the external subdomain of MERS-RBD in IT-batCoV and HKU5 RBDs.
This study reported two beta CoVs closely related to MERS that were obtained from two bats belonging to two commonly recorded species in Italy (P. kuhlii and H. savii). The analysis of the RBD showed similar structure in IT-batCoVs and HKU5 respect to HKU4 sequences. Since the RBD domain of HKU4 but not HKU5 can bind to the human DPP4 receptor for MERS-CoV, it is possible to suggest also for IT-batCoVs the absence of DPP4-binding potential. More surveillance studies are needed to better investigate the potential intermediate hosts that may play a role in the interspecies transmission of known and currently unknown coronaviruses with particular attention to the S protein and the receptor specificity and binding affinity.
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