Institutions Are neither Autistic Maximizers nor Flocks of Birds: Self-organization, Power, and Learning in Human Organizations

In this work we shall attempt an excursus across fundamentally different streams of modern interpretations of the “ primitive entities” constituting the social fabrics of economic systems. Behind each specific interpretative story, there is a set of ceteris paribus assumptions and also some fictitious tale on a 'once upon a time' reconstruction of the theoretical primitives of the story itself. Pushing it to the extreme, as we see it, there are in the social sciences two archetypal (meta) tales. The first says, more or less, that 'once upon a time' there were individuals with reasonably structured and coherent preferences, with adequate cognitive algorithms to solve the decision-action problems at hand, and with self-seeking restrictions on preferences themselves. They met in some openings in the forest and, conditional on the technologies available, undertook some sort of general equilibrium trading or, as an unavoidable second best, built organizations in order to deal with technological non-convexities, trading difficulties, contract enforcements, etc. In the alternative tale, 'once upon a time' there were immediately factors of socialization and preference-formation of individuals, including some institutions like families shaping desires, representations and, possibly, cognitive abilities. Nonexchange mechanisms of interactions appear in the explanation from the start: authority, violence and persuasion of parents upon children; obedience; schools; churches; and, generally, the adaptation to particular social roles. Here 'institutions' are the primitives, while 'preferences' and the very idea of 'rationality' are derived entities. Which of the primitive tale is chosen bears far-reaching consequences for the interpretation of socioeconomic organizational forms and their dynamics, and involves different theoretical commitments on the interactions between agencies and structures in human affairs. In this work , we argue for the need of moving away from rationality-cum-equilibrium interpretations and of focusing on the varying balances between self’orginizing dynamics and institution-shaped constraints

C1 anterior arch preservation in transnasal odontoidectomy using three-dimensional endoscope: A case report

BACKGROUND: The transoral ventral corridor is the most common approach used to reach the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). Over the last decade, many case reports have demonstrated the transnasal corridor to the odontoid peg represents a practicable route to remove the tip of the odontoid process. The biomechanical consequences of the traditional odontoidectomy led to the necessity of a cervical spine stabilization. Preserving the inferior portion of the C1 anterior arch should prevent instability. CASE DESCRIPTION: This is the first report in which the technique to remove the tip of the odontoid while preserving the C1 anterior arch is described by means of a three-dimensional (3D) endoscope. A 53-year-old man underwent a transnasal 3D endoscopic approach because of a complex CVJ malformation. The upper-medial portion of the C1 anterior arch was removed preserving its continuity, and the odontoidectomy was performed. After surgery, a dynamic X-ray scan showed no difference in CVJ motility in comparison with the preoperative one. CONCLUSIONS: The stereoscopic perception augmented the precision of the surgical gesture in the deep field. The importance of a 3D view relates to the depth of field, which a two-dimensional endoscopy cannot provide. This affects the preservation of the C1 anterior arch because of the presence of critical structures that are exposed to potential damage if not displayed

Recent advances and insights into bromelain processing, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic uses

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes that is extracted primarily from pineapples. It is present in almost all the aerial parts of the plant—the peels, leaves, stems and fruit—although only the fruit and stems contain significant amounts. The market-demand for bromelain is quickly increasing, especially in the health sector as it can be used as a drug and/or nutraceutical. Although the complete molecular mechanism has not been fully identified, bromelain possesses several properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oedema, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic, mucolytic, anticancer and cicatrizing effects that have been evaluated in several clinical trials. However, one of the main limitations for the clinical use of this supplement is the varying composition of extracts, which leads to heterogeneity in results and, therefore, difficulty in making evidence-based prescriptions. In fact, different geographic locations, land and modes of cultivation, as well as extraction methods, can all give extracts with different activities, depending on the plant part used. Additionally, although novel extraction techniques have been developed to improve bromelain purification and extraction and give higher yields without loss in enzymatic activity, these methods are still expensive and challenging. This review will describe the state of the art in the main conventional and unconventional extraction and purification methods of bromelain and discuss the advantages and limitations of these strategies. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles and the clinical applications that have arisen from randomized controlled clinical trials are also discussed. Finally, future perspectives for bromelain extracts will be presented

An Open Source LMS Vision and Development. The Development of Innovative Web Technologies for E-Learning: The eLearning Portal Project

The aim of the project is the development of an innovative, Open Source-based eLearning portal, which provides high scalability and versatility, as well as it is easy to upgrade; it aims at meeting some changeable requirement in the field of distance learning (yearly or even monthly innovation). The modular structure and flexibility provided by the portal makes this system adaptable to any kind of educational and/or academic situation, allowing also the development in step with innovative and specific Web Technologies. The project has been developed thanks to the experience obtained in managing a postgraduate specialization course promoted by University of Bari (www.comedudida.org) and it keeps developing as suitable tools for proper online formation are designed. This experience has been studied inside the OSEL research project by University of Bari (www.osel.it)

An Open Source LMS Vision and Development. The Development of Innovative Web Technologies for E-Learning: The eLearning Portal Project

The aim of the project is the development of an innovative, Open Source-based eLearning portal, which provides high scalability and versatility, as well as it is easy to upgrade; it aims at meeting some changeable requirement in the field of distance learning (yearly or even monthly innovation). The modular structure and flexibility provided by the portal makes this system adaptable to any kind of educational and/or academic situation, allowing also the development in step with innovative and specific Web Technologies. The project has been developed thanks to the experience obtained in managing a postgraduate specialization course promoted by University of Bari (www.comedudida.ora) and it keeps developing as suitable tools for proper online formation are designed. This experience has been studied inside the OSEL research project by University of Bari (www.osel.it)

Flow Characterization of a Pulsating Heat Pipe through the Wavelet Analysis of Pressure Signals

Pulsating Heat Pipes are two phase passive heat transfer devices characterized by a thermally induced two phase oscillating flow. The correct detection of the dominant frequencies of such oscillations is fundamental to fully characterize the device thermofluidic operation but the studies available in the literature are very heterogenous and results are often discordant. In this work, the concept of dominant frequency in Pulsating Heat Pipes is thoroughly discussed and defined analytically. The wavelet transform is used to characterize the fluid pressure signal in the frequency domain varying the heat power input at the evaporator and in the condenser zone of a full-scale Pulsating Heat Pipe tested in microgravity conditions. During the slug-plug flow regime, the dominant frequencies falls in the range 0.6–0.9 Hz, showing an increasing trend with the heat load input. The Cross-Correlation reveals that the two signals at the evaporator and at the condenser are very similar. Finally, the instantaneous angle of phase is calculated and lies between 310 and 360 deg. This value can be physically interpreted as a repeatable time shift between the two signals that can be used to evaluate the flow local mean velocity (0.09–0.13 m/s) constituting a valuable alternative to the visualization techniques