Individual wage and reservation wage: efficient estimation of a simultaneous equation model with endogenous limited dependent variables

We consider a simultaneous equation model with two endogenous limited dependent variables (individual wage and reservation wage) characterized by a selection mechanism determining a two-regimes endogenous-switching. We extend the FIML procedure proposed by Poirier-Ruud (1981) for a single equation switching model providing a stochastic specification for both equations and for the selection criterion. An accurate Monte Carlo experiment shows that the relative efficiency of the FIML estimator over to the Two-Stage procedure is remarkably high in presence of a high degree of endogeneity in the selection equation.Selection bias; endogenous switching

Exploring crossmodal correspondences for future research in human movement augmentation

"Crossmodal correspondences" are the consistent mappings between perceptual dimensions or stimuli from different sensory domains, which have been widely observed in the general population and investigated by experimental psychologists in recent years. At the same time, the emerging field of human movement augmentation (i.e., the enhancement of an individual's motor abilities by means of artificial devices) has been struggling with the question of how to relay supplementary information concerning the state of the artificial device and its interaction with the environment to the user, which may help the latter to control the device more effectively. To date, this challenge has not been explicitly addressed by capitalizing on our emerging knowledge concerning crossmodal correspondences, despite these being tightly related to multisensory integration. In this perspective paper, we introduce some of the latest research findings on the crossmodal correspondences and their potential role in human augmentation. We then consider three ways in which the former might impact the latter, and the feasibility of this process. First, crossmodal correspondences, given the documented effect on attentional processing, might facilitate the integration of device status information (e.g., concerning position) coming from different sensory modalities (e.g., haptic and visual), thus increasing their usefulness for motor control and embodiment. Second, by capitalizing on their widespread and seemingly spontaneous nature, crossmodal correspondences might be exploited to reduce the cognitive burden caused by additional sensory inputs and the time required for the human brain to adapt the representation of the body to the presence of the artificial device. Third, to accomplish the first two points, the benefits of crossmodal correspondences should be maintained even after sensory substitution, a strategy commonly used when implementing supplementary feedback

Nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation with unbounded or vanishing potentials: solutions concentrating on lower dimensional spheres

We study positive bound states for the semiclassical stationary nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation. We are especially interested in solutions which concentrate on a lower dimensional sphere. We adopt a purely variational approach which allows us to consider broader classes of potentials than those treated in previous works. For example, the potentials might be singular at the origin or vanish superquadratically at infinity

Elementary seismological analysis applied to the April 6, 2009 L'Aquila mainshock and its larger aftershock

To understand the source complexity of the April 6, 2009 L’Aquila earthquake (MW = 6.3), a quick seismological analysis is done on the waveforms of the mainshock and the larger aftershock that occurred on April 7, 2009. We prove that a simple waveform analysis gives useful insights into the source complexity, as soon as the seismograms are available after the earthquake occurrence, whereas the reconstruction of the rupture dynamics through the application of sophisticated techniques requires a definitely longer time. We analyzed the seismograms recorded at broadband and strong motion stations and provided firm constraints on rupture kinematics, slip distribution, and static surface deformation, also discriminating the actual fault plane. We found that two distinct rupture patches associated with different fracture propagation directions and possibly occurring on distinct rupture planes, characterized the source kinematics of the April 6 events. An initial updip propagation successively proceeds toward SE, possibly on a different plane. We also show that the same processing, applied to the April 7, 2009 aftershock (MW = 5.6), allows us to obtain useful information also in the case of lower magnitude events. Smaller events with similar location and source mechanism as the mainshock, to be used as Green’s empirical function, occur in the days before or within tens of minutes to a few hours after the mainshock. These quick, preliminary analyses can provide useful constraints for more refined studies, such as inversion of data for imaging the rupture evolution and the slip distribution on the fault plane. We suggest implementing these analyses for real, automatic or semi-automatic, investigations

The Mediation of Criticism in the Age of Disintermediation

What could happen to theatre criticism in the era of disintermediation? Theatre appears obsolete, old fashioned, and elitist. Critical attitude seems uncool in a mediasphere ruled by images and emotional responses. On the other hand, critical activity on the web is quite intense and widespread, and the community of actors and audience could give us a useful insight into the visualisation processes we are experiencing. The critic, more than a consumer, becomes a witness of the creative process and of the theatrical event

Avanza la tecnología, ¡que se salve el contenido!

In this article the author reflects about the relation of the advance of technology and the quality of contents, and in how this hits in the communicational management. The author speaks about the 2010 man, called Cyborg - half physical, half connected- that moves alternatively like emitter, receiver, noise and decoder, almost like an acrobat who plays diverse roles in a virtual scene that simultneously, is real. It refers to the technology turned into commodity, and analyzes his relation with the content of corporate/personal speech, in a show window in which the companies are exhibited in 360º where no longer there is space for the low profile. Finally, it emphasizes in the necessity to work in depth in the elaboration of speeches that allow to glimpse to a person/institution, since the message is the constituent identity made sign; whereas the image and the word are the visible DNA.En este artículo el autor reflexiona acerca de la relación del avance de la tecnología y la calidad de los contenidos, y en cómo esto impacta en la gestión comunicacional. Habla del hombre 2010, al que llama Cyborg -mitad físico, mitad conectado- que se mueve alternativamente como emisor, receptor, ruido y decodificador, casi como un acróbata que juega diversos roles en un escenario virtual que a la vez, es real. Refiere a la tecnología convertida en un commodity, y analiza su relación con el contenido del discurso personal/corporativo, en una vidriera en la cual las empresas están expuestas en 360º donde ya no hay espacio para el bajo perfil. Finalmente, enfatiza en la necesidad de trabajar en profundidad en la elaboración de discursos que permitan vislumbrar a una persona/institución, ya que el mensaje es la identidad constitutiva hecha signo; mientras que la imagen y la palabra son el ADN visible.Neste artigo o autor reflexiona a respeito da relação do avanço da tecnologia e aqualidade dos conteúdos, e em como isto impacta na gestão comunicacional. Fala de homem2010, ao que chama Cyborg -metade físico, metade conectado- que se move alternativamentecomo emissor, receptor, ruído e decodificador, quase como um acróbata que joga diversospapéis num palco virtual que ao mesmo tempo, é real. Refere-se à tecnologia convertida num commodity, e analisa sua relação com o conteúdo do discurso pessoal/corporativo, num vitralna qual as empresas estão expostas em 360º onde já não há espaço para o baixo perfil.No final, enfatiza na necessidade de trabalhar em profundidade na elaboração de discursos quepermitam vislumbrar a uma pessoa/instituição, já que a mensagem é a identidade constitutivafeita signo; enquanto a imagem e a palavra são o DNA visível

Teatro e altri animali

Oliviero Ponte di Pino traccia una storia della convivenza tra umani e non umani sul palcoscenico, tra alleanza e sfruttamento

Invasive intraneural interfaces: foreign body reaction issues

Intraneural interfaces are stimulation/registration devices designed to couple the peripheral nervous system (PNS) with the environment. Over the last years, their use has increased in a wide range of applications, such as the control of a new generation of neural-interfaced prostheses. At present, the success of this technology is limited by an electrical impedance increase, due to an inflammatory response called foreign body reaction (FBR), which leads to the formation of a fibrotic tissue around the interface, eventually causing an inefficient transduction of the electrical signal. Based on recent developments in biomaterials and inflammatory/fibrotic pathologies, we explore and select the biological solutions that might be adopted in the neural interfaces FBR context: modifications of the interface surface, such as organic and synthetic coatings; the use of specific drugs or molecular biology tools to target the microenvironment around the interface; the development of bio-engineered-scaffold to reduce immune response and promote interface-tissue integration. By linking what we believe are the major crucial steps of the FBR process with related solutions, we point out the main issues that future research has to focus on: biocompatibility without losing signal conduction properties, good reproducible in vitro/in vivo models, drugs exhaustion and undesired side effects. The underlined pros and cons of proposed solutions show clearly the importance of a better understanding of all the molecular and cellular pathways involved and the need of a multi-target action based on a bio-engineered combination approach

Individual wage and reservation wage: efficient estimation of a simultaneous equation model with endogenous limited dependent variables

We consider a simultaneous equation model with two endogenous limited dependent variables (individual wage and reservation wage) characterized by a selection mechanism determining a two-regimes endogenous-switching. We extend the FIML procedure proposed by Poirier-Ruud (1981) for a single equation switching model providing a stochastic specification for both equations and for the selection criterion. An accurate Monte Carlo experiment shows that the relative efficiency of the FIML estimator over to the Two-Stage procedure is remarkably high in presence of a high degree of endogeneity in the selection equation