613 research outputs found
Finding the extraordinary and creating the unexpected: Gnome and Genius combined in an entrepreneurial ethical heuristic
Purpose – This paper aims to present an integrated framework for ethical decision making in uncertain conditions, such as those of entrepreneurship. The model aims to build an exceptional ethical heuristic employable by entrepreneurs.
Design/methodology/approach – The theoretical framework is anchored to Aquinas’ theory of practical reason virtue, specifically its minor virtue gnome, and the Kantian faculty of genius or to better say its modus operandi. Thanks to the composition of these prima facie distant ontologies it is possible to build a ‘ready-to-use’ heuristic.
Findings – The paper through a philosophical discussion offers a ready-to-use heuristic that may help entrepreneurs and businesspersons when ‘navigating’ uncertain and troubled situations. In such situations, firstly it is important to recognize the ‘exceptionality’ of the situation, disregarding where necessary the ordinary criteria of judgment (an act directed by gnome). Secondly, a creative reconstruction of available knowledge able to re-shape the ‘rules of the game’ is needed (an act directed by PR but with connotations drawn from genius).
Research limitations/implications – The paper provides only a theoretical conceptualization of the heuristic model. However, the result is a ready-to-use heuristic rule for entrepreneurs, who work in uncertain and unclear conditions. Empirical validation of the framework can represent an opportunity for future research to test the operative impact of such an exceptional ethical heuristic.
Originality/value – Little attention has been dedicated to ethical decision making in the entrepreneurial setting built on a virtue ethics approach. This paper’s proposed model may represent an innovative alternative to strictly rational models for ethical decision making
Fabrication and characterization of Ag- and Ga-doped mesoporous glass-coated scaffolds based on natural marine sponges with improved mechanical properties
Natural marine sponges were used as sacrificial template for the fabrication of bioactive glassbased scaffolds. After sintering at 1050 ºC, the resulting samples were additionally coated with a
sol silicate solution containing biologically active ions (Ag and Ga), well-known for their
antibacterial properties in comparison with standard scaffolds made by PU foam templates. The
produced scaffolds were characterized by superior mechanical properties (maximum compressive
strength of 4 MPa) and total porosity of ~80%. Direct cell culture tests performed on the
uncoated and coated samples showed positive results in terms of adhesion, proliferation, and
differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
secretion from cells in contact with scaffold dissolution products was measured after 7 and 10
days of incubation, showing promising angiogenic results for bone tissue engineering
applications. The antibacterial potential of the produced samples was assessed by performing
agar diffusion tests against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.EU Horizon 2020 project COACH 64255
Incorporation of Calcium Containing Mesoporous (MCM-41-Type) Particles in Electrospun PCL Fibers by Using Benign Solvents
The electrospinning technique is a versatile method for the production of fibrous
scaffolds able to resemble the morphology of the native extra cellular matrix. In the present
paper, electrospinning is used to fabricate novel SiO2 particles (type MCM-41) containing
poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers. The main aims of the present work are both the optimization
of the particle synthesis and the fabrication of composite fibers, obtained using benign solvents,
suitable as drug delivery systems and scaffolds for soft tissue engineering applications. The optimized
synthesis and characterization of calcium-containing MCM-41 particles are reported. Homogeneous
bead-free composite electrospun mats were obtained by using acetic acid and formic acid as solvents;
neat PCL electrospun mats were used as control. Initially, an optimization of the electrospinning
environmental parameters, like relative humidity, was performed. The obtained composite nanofibers
were characterized from the morphological, chemical and mechanical points of view, the acellular
bioactivity of the composite nanofibers was also investigated. Positive results were obtained in
terms of mesoporous particle incorporation in the fibers and no significant differences in terms of
average fiber diameter were detected between the neat and composite electrospun fibers. Even if
the Ca-containing MCM-41 particles are bioactive, this property is not preserved in the composite
fibers. In fact, during the bioactivity assessment, the particles were released confirming the potential
application of the composite fibers as a drug delivery system. Preliminary in vitro tests with bone
marrow stromal cells were performed to investigate cell adhesion on the fabricated composite mats,
the positive obtained results confirmed the suitability of the composite fibers as scaffolds for soft
tissue engineerin
On the Continuous Measurement of the LHC Beta-Function - Prototype Studies at the SPS
Until now, the continuous monitoring of the LHC lattice has been considered impractical due to tight constraints on the maximum allowed beam excitations and acquisition time usually required for betatron function measurements. As a further exploitation of the Base-Band-Tune (BBQ) detection principle, already widely used for tune diagnostics, a real-time beta-beat measurement prototype has been successfully tested at the CERN SPS and is based on the continuous measurement of the cell-to-cell betatron phase advance. Tests show that the phase resolution is better than a degree corresponding to a peak-to-peak beta-beat resolution of better than a percent. Due to the system’s high sensitivity, it required only micrometre-range excitation, making it compatible with nominal LHC operation. This contribution discusses results, measurement systematics and exploitation possibilities that may be used to improve the nominal LHC performance
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