Dynamic Flexibility, Optimal Organization Modes and Price Instability

In this paper a mathematical model describing the organization structure of firms (i.e. those economical entities which are called "productive systems" in [14] ) is introduced. In the framework of quoted model we can give a precise meaning to the classical definition of flexible industrial organizations (Stigler flexibility) which reads as follows: "a flexible industrial organization permits to approximate the best technology for any output, at the cost of not being able to use the best technology for any output" (see [2] on pg. 315). Moreover we can prove that the presence of exchange price instability enriches the manifold of firms which are competitive. Indeed we characterize the manifolds of equally competitive firms as the level surfaces of the previously introduced profit function. At the same time we introduce the concept of "feasible" organization structures, the set of all of them characterizing the available technology. In this way we are led to a problem of constrained optimization whose solution is in general non-unique: we are thus able to characterize technologies and instabilities which produce a multeplicity of optimal organization structures.

First diagnosis of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): an analysis of PoCUS findings in the ED

Children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) tend to develop a clinical condition of fluid overload due both to contractile cardiac pump deficit and to endotheliitis with subsequent capillary leak syndrome. In this context, the ability of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) to simultaneously explore multiple systems and detect polyserositis could promote adequate therapeutic management of fluid balance. We describe the PoCUS findings in a case-series of MIS-C patients admitted to the Emergency Department. At admission 10/11 patients showed satisfactory clinical condition without signs and symptoms suggestive for cardiovascular impairment/shock, but PoCUS showed pathological findings in 11/11 (100%). In particular, according to Rapid Ultrasound in SHock (RUSH) protocol, cardiac hypokinesis was detected in 5/11 (45%) and inferior vena cava dilatation in 3/11 (27%). Peritoneal fluid was reported in 6/11 cases (54%). Lung ultrasound (LUS) evaluation revealed an interstitial syndrome in 11/11 (100%), mainly localized in posterior basal lung segments. We suggest PoCUS as a useful tool in the first evaluation of children with suspected MIS-C for the initial therapeutic management and the following monitoring of possible cardiovascular deterioration

Toward a unified description of the electrostatic assembly of microgels and nanoparticles

The combination of soft responsive particles, such as microgels, with nanoparticles (NPs) yields highly versatile complexes of great potential for applications, from ad-hoc plasmonic sensors to controlled protocols for loading and release. However, the assembly process between these microscale networks and the co-dispersed nano-objects has not been investigated so far at the microscopic level, preempting the possibility of designing such hybrid complexes a priori. In this work, we combine state-of-the-art numerical simulations with experiments, to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms taking place when microgels-NPs assembly is controlled by electrostatic interactions. We find a general behavior where, by increasing the number of interacting NPs, the microgel deswells up to a minimum size, after which a plateau behavior occurs. This occurs either when NPs are mainly adsorbed to the microgel corona via the folding of the more external chains, or when NPs penetrate inside the microgel, thereby inducing a collective reorganization of the polymer network. By varying microgel properties, such as fraction of crosslinkers or charge, as well as NPs size and charge, we further show that the microgel deswelling curves can be rescaled onto a single master curve, for both experiments and simulations, demonstrating that the process is entirely controlled by the charge of the whole microgel-NPs complex. Our results thus have a direct relevance in fundamental materials science and offer novel tools to tailor the nanofabrication of hybrid devices of technological interest

Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging to identify pseudocapsule invasion in renal tumors

Purpose: To evaluate accuracy of MRI in detecting renal tumor pseudocapsule (PC) invasion and to propose a classification based on imaging of PC status in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Methods: From January 2017 to June 2018, 58 consecutive patients with localized renal cell carcinoma were prospectively enrolled. MRI was performed preoperatively and PC was classified, according to its features, as follows: MRI-Cap 0 (absence of PC), MRI-Cap 1 (presence of a clearly identifiable PC), MRI-Cap 2 (focally interrupted PC), and MRI-Cap 3 (clearly interrupted and infiltrated PC). A 3D image reconstruction showing MRI-Cap score was provided to both surgeon and pathologist to obtain complete preoperative evaluation and to compare imaging and pathology reports. All patients underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. In surgical specimens, PC was classified according to the renal tumor capsule invasion scoring system (i-Cap). Results: A concordance between MRI-Cap and i-Cap was found in 50/58 (86%) cases. ρ coefficient for each MRI-cap and iCap categories was: MRI-Cap 0: 0.89 (p < 0.0001), MRI-Cap1: 0.75 (p < 0.0001), MRI-Cap 2: 0.76 (p < 0.0001), and MRI-Cap3: 0.87 (p < 0.0001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and AUC were: MRI-Cap 0: Se 97.87% Spec 83.3%, PPV 95.8%, NPV 90.9%, and AUC 90.9; MRI-Cap 1: Se 77% Spec 95.5%, PPV 83.3%, NPV 93.5%, and AUC 0.86; MRI-Cap 2- iCap 2: Se 88% Spec 90%, PPV 79%, NPV 95%, and AUC 0.89; MRI-Cap 3: Se 94% Spec 95%, PPV 88%, NPV 97%, and AUC 0.94. Conclusions: MRI-Cap classification is accurate in evaluating renal tumor PC features. PC features can provide an imaging-guided landmark to figure out where a minimal margin could be preferable during nephron-sparing surgery

Pre-build the future: modular prefabricated concrete

Os sistemas modulares pré-fabricados têm ganho crescente notoriedade nos últimos anos, devido às qualidades ligadas à economia, sustentabilidade e customização das construções. Construídos em fábrica, os módulos observam um rígido padrão de qualidade e quando finalizados são transportados até ao local de destino, para após, serem conectados e ligados a rede de energia elétrica e de esgoto. Através da parceria entre o Projeto DEMOLA e a PAVIMIR, uma empresa especializada na produção de prefabricados em betão para construção, surgiu o desafio de implementar uma linha de produção para a construção de casas modulares pré-fabricadas. De início, foi realizada uma pesquisa de referências para conhecimento mais aprofundado da tecnologia e designs, e assim, elaborado um relatório contendo as possíveis soluções para cada uma das etapas construtivas, relacionadas ao projeto arquitetônico, estrutural, hidrossanitário e elétrico, e por fim, foi apresentado um design de casa modular. Com todo o estudo desenvolvido, junto ao protótipo de uma casa modular pré-fabricada em betão, espera-se atingir com a implantação do sistema, a construção de uma casa passiva, desde o processo fabril até a entrega para o cliente. A casa contará com diversos benefícios relacionados à construção, sendo eles, um sistema rápido, escalável, com a redução dos custos de obra, resíduos sólidos, uso de água e aumento do reaproveitamento de matérias-primas. Junto a isso, terá os benefícios relacionados a qualidade de vida, resultado de um sistema versátil, eficiente e acessível, proporcionando um maior conforto de habitação própria, casa de férias ou alojamento local.Prefabricated modular systems have gained increasing traction in recent years, due to qualities linked to economy, sustainability and customization of constructions. Built in the factory, the modules comply with strict quality standards and are transported to the final destination, afterward, to the final site where it is connected to an electric power grid and sewerage system. Through the partnership between DEMOLA project and PAVIMIR, a company specialized in the production of prefabricated concrete for construction, the challenge of implementing the construction of prefabricated modular houses arose. At the beginning, the group did reference research for a better knowledge of technology and possible projects, and a report was prepared for each construction solution related to the project as well as a structural, hydro sanitary, electrical project and finally was presented a modular house design. With all the study developed, such as the addition of a prefabricated concrete modular house prototype, it is expected to be achieved with passive system construction, from the manufacturing process to the customer's implementation. The house will have several benefits related to construction, such as a fast, scalable system, with a reduction in construction costs, solid waste, water use and increased reuse of raw materials. Along with this, they will have the benefits related to the quality of life, the result of a multifaceted, efficient and accessible system, providing greater comfort in private housing, holiday home or local accommodation.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

IXPE Mission System Concept and Development Status

The Goal of the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Mi SMEX), is to expand understanding of high-energy astrophysical processes and sources, in support of NASAs first science objective in Astrophysics: Discover how the universe works. IXPE, an international collaboration, will conduct X-ray imaging polarimetry for multiple categories of cosmic X-ray sources such as neutron stars, stellar-mass black holes, supernova remnants and active galactic nuclei. The Observatory uses a single science operational mode capturing the X-ray data from the targets. The IXPE Observatory consists of spacecraft and payload modules built up in parallel to form the Observatory during system integration and test. The payload includes three X-ray telescopes each consisting of a polarization-sensitive, gas pixel X-ray detector, paired with its corresponding grazing incidence mirror module assembly (MMA). A deployable boom provides the correct separation (focal length) between the detector units (DU) and MMAs. These payload elements are supported by the IXPE spacecraft which is derived from the BCP-small spacecraft architecture. This paper summarizes the IXPE mission science objectives, updates the Observatory implementation concept including the payload and spacecraft ts and summarizes the mission status since last years conference