THE POLITICAL DIMENSION OF CONSUMPTION: THE CASE OF ONLINE BARTER

L’obiettivo di questa tesi è analizzare il baratto online, come pratica emergente di resistenza per evidenziare la dimensione politica del consumo e dello scambio. Il lavoro si sviluppa all’interno di un frame teorico che fa riferimento all’approccio sociologico conflittuale di Gramsci e Simmel, arricchito dall’apporto della politologa Chantal Mouffe, attraverso il quale il conflitto viene inteso come dimensione ontologica della realtà sociale. A partire da questa prospettiva, la storia e la struttura dei campi del consumo e dello scambio sono analizzati, attraverso la letteratura sociologica, antropologica ed economica, mettendo in evidenza i modelli egemonici che ne definiscono i confini simbolici. La tesi chiarisce fino a che punto il baratto possa essere considerato una pratica contro-egemonica, ovvero una pratica che si insinua nelle maglie di una rete di significati determinati da forze egemoniche, costruendo significati alternativi. La base empirica di ricerca è costituita da materiale raccolto attraverso l’utilizzo di metodi propri della ricerca non-standard, svolgendo un’etnografia digitale in tre siti internet dedicati al baratto e 22 interviste biografiche con i loro utenti. La tesi elabora dunque una definizione del baratto contemporaneo declinato nelle sue varie forme e ricostruisce la fenomenologia del baratto online. In conclusione, la tesi propone di considerare il baratto come una tattica, nell’accezione di de Certeau, messa in pratica da attori sociali che avanzano istanze di partecipazione in processi decisionali democratici, volti a stabilire il valore degli oggetti, così come i valori sociali di riferimento. Attraverso questo lavoro, il baratto mostra dunque la sua natura profondamente sociale e politica.The aim of this thesis is to analyse the online barter, as an emergent phenomenon of resistance, in order to reveal the political dimension of consumption and exchange. The work develops within a theoretical frame referring to the sociological conflicting approach of Gramsci and Simmel, enhanced by the contribution of the political scientist Chantal Mouffe. Through this approach conflict is conceived as an ontological dimension of social reality. In the light of this perspective, the history and the structure of the fields of consumption and exchange are analyzed, through the sociological, anthropological, and economics literature, to highlight the hegemonic models which define their symbolical borders. The thesis analyses until which extent barter can be considered a counter-hegemonic practice, that is, a practice sneaking in the meshes of a net of meanings defined by hegemonic forces, creating alternative meanings. The empirical material was collected through non-standard methods, conducting a digital ethnography in three websites dedicated to barter, and 22 biographic interviews with their users. The thesis elaborates a definition of contemporary barter, declined in its different forms, and it reconstructs the phenomenology of the online barter. In conclusion, the thesis argues that barter is a tactic, in de Certeau’s sense, adopted by social actors claiming more participation in democratic decision-making processes, intended to establish the value of objects, as well as the social values. Through this work, the deep political and social nature of barter is hence revealed

Vitreous Substitutes: The Present and the Future

Vitreoretinal surgery has advanced in numerous directions during recent years. The removal of the vitreous body is one of the main characteristics of this surgical procedure. Several molecules have been tested in the past to fill the vitreous cavity and to mimic its functions. We here review the currently available vitreous substitutes, focusing on their molecular properties and functions, together with their adverse effects. Afterwards we describe the characteristics of the ideal vitreous substitute. The challenges facing every ophthalmology researcher are to reach a long-term intraocular permanence of vitreous substitute with total inertness of the molecule injected and the control of inflammatory reactions. We report new polymers with gelification characteristics and smart hydrogels representing the future of vitreoretinal surgery. Finally, we describe the current studies on vitreous regeneration and cell cultures to create new intraocular gels with optimal biocompatibility and rheological properties

Pax troikana: the U.K. media and the symbolic conflicts of the Cypriot ‘rescue’ programme

This chapter, by exploring tacit meanings and ideas in two mainstream news media, The Guardian and The Telegraph it explicates the U.K. media’s reaction to the Cypriot ‘bailout’ as a symbolic conflict (of policies, ideologies and interests). Therefore, it illustrates dominant and less dominant ideological positions in the U.K. media and links them not only to the handling of the Cypriot crisis, but also to the U.K.’s (re)positioning in its controversial relations with the EU

Donne straniere, famiglia e lavoro: le evidenze della ricerca sul campo

Se il modello di partecipazione al mercato del lavoro degli immigrati si conferma essere centrato sulla prevalenza dell\u2019impiego maschile, con una quota di partecipazione delle donne straniere significativamente inferiore a quella delle autoctone, pur tuttavia la tendenza registrata nel tempo \ue8 quella del superamento, nelle strategie di composizione del reddito familiare, della formula monoreddito troppo rischiosa in tempi di crisi. \uc8 la questione della crescente partecipazione delle donne straniere al mercato del lavoro, spinta dalla necessit\ue0 economica di sostentamento della famiglia, a offrire uno spazio interessante di riflessione sui bisogni di conciliazione tra compiti di cura domestici e familiari e attivit\ue0 di lavoro retribuito per la popolazione immigrata. Come viene intesa la questione della conciliazione e quali sono le strategie attuate nella ricerca del migliore equilibrio possibile tra le sfere della vita lavorativa e della vita familiare, sono le due questioni di carattere generale che sono state indagate nella ricerca sul campo, declinate nella molteplicit\ue0 di istanze che richiamano, attraverso l\u2019incontro con donne straniere, madri e lavoratrici in Lombardia

Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane flap peeling technique for large macular holes: 6-month results

Purpose : to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane (ILM) flap technique for the treatment of large versus small macular holes. Methods : 30 eyes of 29 patients, who underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (25G PPV) with Inverted Flap technique for a full-thickness macular hole, were included in this observational study and followed for median (interquartile range, IQR) of 24(8) weeks. Simultaneous cataract surgery was performed in 24 eyes. All eyes were divided into 2 groups according to hole size as found with OCT: Large Holes (LH) (>500 µm) and Small/Medium Holes (SMH) (<500 µm), 15 eyes each. A complete ophthalmological evaluation and OCT scans were performed at every follow-up visit. Hole closure day, detected by OCT, was recorded. Primary study outcome was the evaluation of differences in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change between the two groups; secondary outcomes were the evaluation of differences between the 2 groups in hole’s closing time and safety profile. Results : 20 eyes completed the 6-month follow-up. No significant differences between groups at baseline were reported, except for the median hole size (IQR), which was for LH and SMH (μm) 672(169) and 383(152), respectively (Fig 1-D). Primary macular hole closure was achieved in 100% and 93% of eyes in LH and SMH groups, respectively (Kaplan-Meyer survival curves followed by the log-rank test: p=0.4, Fig 1-C). In 1 patient an open flat hole (type 2 closure) was detected at the end of follow-up. Median BCVA (logMAR) in both groups improved significantly from baseline to week 4 (both groups: p=0.01), 8 (LH: p=0.003; SMH: p=0.02), 12 (LH: p=0.01; SMH: p=0.02), 16 (LH: p=0.01; SMH: p=0.02) and 24 (LH: p=0.04; SMH: p=0.02). Analysis between groups showed a significant difference in BCVA improvement only at 4 weeks (p=0.03), while no differences in intraocular pressure were found at each follow-up visit. OCT showed macular hole closure after a median time (IQR) of 22(22) and 16.5(12) days for LH and SMH, respectively (p=0.08). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions : 25G PPV with inverted ILM flap seems to be safe and effective for surgical treatment of either large or small macular holes, ensuring a fast closure and a significant visual recovery with no significant difference in closing time, irrespective of hole size

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography features of cystoid macular edema with serous retinal detachment secondary to intracameral cefuroxime administration

We present 3 cases of acute-onset cystoid macular edema (CME) with serous retinal detachment (RD) attributable to intracameral injection of a standard dose of cefuroxime at the end of uneventful cataract surgery. Other possible causes of CME, such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusion, uveitis, choroidal neovascularization, vitreomacular traction, and concomitant medications, were excluded. The clinical features seen in the spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic and angiographic patterns of this particular retinal disorder are compared with those reported in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first reported spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic–documentation of a serous RD that extends beyond the vascular arcades secondary to intracameral cefuroxime administration. The pathogenetic mechanism that leads to this particular retinal abnormality is discussed. Financial Disclosure None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned

Le professioni

Il capitolo si inserisce all'interno di una ricerca sulla relazione tra la moda italiana contemporanea e la produzione artigianale di alta gamma. Il contributo spiega come i mestieri d\u2019arte siano sopravvissuti alla trasformazione industriale della produzione e quale sviluppo abbiano seguito all\u2019interno del sistema della moda italiana. Il capitolo mostra quali mestieri tradizionali trovano ancora spazio nell\u2019odierna produzione di capi d\u2019abbigliamento e accessori, come si sono modificate le professionalit\ue0 dei maestri che lavorano nel campo della moda e, infine, quali nuovi mestieri hanno preso corpo.The chapter is part of a research on the relationship between fashion and contemporary Italian handicraft production. The contribution explains how arts and crafts competences have survived the industrial transformation of production and shows the development followed within the Italian fashion system. The chapter shows which traditional craft professions can be found in today's production of clothing and accessories, and, finally, what new skills, competences and, thus, jobs have taken shape

Vitreous substitutes: The present and the future

Vitreoretinal surgery has advanced in numerous directions during recent years. The removal of the vitreous body is one of the main characteristics of this surgical procedure. Several molecules have been tested in the past to fill the vitreous cavity and to mimic its functions. We here review the currently available vitreous substitutes, focusing on their molecular properties and functions, together with their adverse effects. Afterwards we describe the characteristics of the ideal vitreous substitute. The challenges facing every ophthalmology researcher are to reach a long-term intraocular permanence of vitreous substitute with total inertness of the molecule injected and the control of inflammatory reactions. We report new polymers with gelification characteristics and smart hydrogels representing the future of vitreoretinal surgery. Finally, we describe the current studies on vitreous regeneration and cell cultures to create new intraocular gels with optimal biocompatibility and rheological properties