Kurt Smith, Matter Matters

La recensione descrive i passaggi cardine tramite i quali l'autore ricostruisce il problema del rapporto materia-matematica in Descartes e Leibniz

The pluricomplex Poisson kernel for strongly pseudoconvex domains

In this paper we introduce, via a Phragmen-Lindel\"of type theorem, a maximal plurisubharmonic function in a strongly pseudoconvex domain. We call such a function the {\sl pluricomplex Poisson kernel} because it shares many properties with the classical Poisson kernel of the unit disc. In particular, we show that such a function is continuous, it is zero on the boundary except at one boundary point where it has a non-tangential simple pole, and reproduces pluriharmonic functions. We also use such a function to obtain a new "intrinsic" version of the classical Julia's Lemma and Julia-Wolff-Carath\'eodory Theorem.Comment: 36 pages - several corrections and improvement

Post Feed-in Scheme Photovoltaic System Feasibility Evaluation in Italy: Sicilian Case Studies

Thanks to national energy policies, over recent years the Italian photovoltaic (PV) sector has undergone an extraordinary growth, also affecting the primary sector. In this context, Mediterranean greenhouses are well-adapted to photovoltaic systems because they represent one of the most energy-intensive sectors in agriculture. The Italian feed-in scheme ended at the beginning of 2013, making it necessary to investigate the feasibility of photovoltaic systems devoid of any electricity production-related incentives. In this paper, production cost and profitability analyses of photovoltaic electricity have been conducted, considering Mediterranean solar greenhouses in which, thanks to net metering, all the electricity produced by photovoltaic panels is self-consumed. Our results showed that grid parity is already reached for Sicilian PV systems with a capacity greater than 50 kW. Moreover, net present value, internal rate of return and discounted payback time all demonstrate the high economic convenience of all the photovoltaic investments analyzed, due to the huge savings on energy expenditures

Aggressive, Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma After a 46-Year-Old History of Chronic Osteomyelitis and Local Infectious Complications: A Case Report

Marjolin's ulcer is a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from any site of established chronic inflammation, especially with presence of scar tissue.An emblematic case report of locally disseminated SCC arising from a chronic osteomyelitis of the left leg complicated by recurring soft tissue infections lasting since 46 years is presented and discussed according to the available international literature evidence. Concurrent diseases, supporting factors, clinical and histopathological presentation, differential diagnosis, and time and mode of management of this potentially functional- and life-threatening pathological condition are reviewed and discussed to offer a theme to daily clinical care

economic sustainability of early potato production in the mediterranean area

The interactions between a given commercial enterprise, its territory and development, have become a key issue in recent years. Theories of economic development tell us that a territory may undergo development provided viable, economically sustainable commercial activities exist. Based on the latter postulate, the present paper analyzes the economic sustainability of farming enterprises growing early potatoes in a Mediterranean setting. In particular, the study was conducted in south-eastern Sicily, island in the centre of the Mediterranean. The results underscore their modest profitability, mainly due to a lack of entrepreneurial strategies aimed at enhancing production. This situation leads to shortcomings in terms of economic viability of the considered activities, which according to economic theory underlie an ultimate impoverishment of the territory

economic analysis of process innovations in the management of olive farms

Within a business enterprise, process innovations l ead to reduced production costs and to increased profit margins. In this study, we shall examine an olive farm that operates in a perfectly competitive market that has introduced a process innovation so as to contain labour costs and therefore production costs. So, the paper aimed at comparing economic co mpetitiveness of an olive farm that introduced mechanical olive pickers (process innovation) for h arvest respect to manual harvest. In the case under scrutiny, for the same price, the reduced productio n cost determined a shift from a situation of being at a loss to one of profit for the business. Economic analysis showed that introduction of mechanical olive pickers can determine a competitive advantage in small and medium-sized olive farms of Mediterranean areas which decide to mechanize the harvest

economic evaluation of aquaculture investments under conditions of risk and uncertainty in the mediterranean sea

This study aims to analyze, from a technical and ec onomic point of view, the choice between alternative investments in aquaculture under condit ions of risk and uncertainty. In particular, a comparative analysis has been conducted between an inshore and an offshore farm producing European sea bass in the Mediterranean Sea. The app lied model refers to the theory of subjective probability, assigning a different probability to e xpected incomes during the investment period. Resul ts show an economic convenience of inshore with respect to offshore farming