The Economics Of System Integration: Toward An Evolutionary Interpretation.

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The Value and Costs of Modularity: A Cognitive Perspective

This paper discusses the issue of modularity from a problem-solving perspective. Modularity is in fact a decomposition heuristic, through which a complex problem is decomposed into independent or quasi-independent sub-problems. By means of a model of problem decomposition, this paper studies the trade-offs of modularity: on the one hand finer modules increase the speed of search, but on the other hand they usually determine lock-in into sub-optimal solutions. How effectively to balance this trade-off depends upon the problem environment and its complexity and volatility: we show that in stationary and complex environments there exists an evolutionary advantage to over-modularization, while in highly volatile – though “simple” – en- vironments, contrary to usual wisdom, modular search is inefficient. The empirical relevance of our findings is discussed, especially with reference to the literature on system integration.modularity, problem solving, complex systems

MYC Expression and Metabolic Redox Changes in Cancer Cells: A Synergy Able to Induce Chemoresistance

Chemoresistance is due to multiple factors including the induction of a metabolic adaptation of tumor cells. In fact, in these cells, stress conditions induced by therapies stimulate a metabolic reprogramming which involves the strengthening of various pathways such as glycolysis, glutaminolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway. This metabolic reprogramming is the result of a complex network of mechanisms that, through the activation of oncogenes (i.e., MYC, HIF1, and PI3K) or the downregulation of tumor suppressors (i.e., TP53), induces an increased expression of glucose and/or glutamine transporters and of glycolytic enzymes. Therefore, in order to overcome chemoresistance, it is necessary to develop combined therapies which are able to selectively and simultaneously act on the multiple molecular targets responsible for this adaptation. This review is focused on highlighting the role of MYC in modulating the epigenetic redox changes which are crucial in the acquisition of therapy resistance

Análisis de desempeño ambiental de muebles de oficina : Detección de puntos críticos para la elaboración de indicadores ambientales

La evaluación del desempeño ambiental de productos para su eco-etiquetado es una práctica cada vez más corriente en el mercado de países industrializados. Los estudios ambientales necesarios para la implementación de un programa de eco-etiquetado están regulados por un conjunto de procedimientos claramente determinados en la normativa ISO. En nuestro país las iniciativas existentes están orientadas a la certificación de productos primarios de exportación. Sin embargo no existen antecedentes sobre la certificación ambiental de manufacturas industriales. Dada la demanda específica de una empresa manufacturera local de muebles de oficina, desde el INCIHUSA-CONICET se ha dado inicio al análisis ambiental de sus muebles. Dicho estudio tiene por objetivo conocer los impactos ambientales producidos por el mueble con el fin de poder diseñar indicadores de desempeño que le permitan al empresario mejorar las debilidades detectadas no solo en el proceso de manufactura sino en la selección de sus insumos, en el transporte, uso y disposición final de su producto. El análisis se llevó a cabo con 5 muebles de la firma. Entre los resultados preliminares obtenidos se tiene por un lado; que en 4 de 5 muebles el principal impacto está producido por la distribución del mueble y por el otro que gran parte de los principales impactos se producen por fuera del proceso de manufactura.Environmental evaluation of products for eco-labeling is becoming more and more usual in industrialized markets. The implementation of eco-labeling program and the required environmental analysis are all regulated by ISO norms. In the case of Argentina, product certification has been oriented to exportation products coming from primary industry but not from manufacturing industry. Recently, a local office furniture manufacturing company has been interested in certifying its products. The INCIHUSA-CONICET has began an environmental analysis for eco-labeling its products. The goal of the study has been to detect environmental weaknesses to design eco-indicators that can help the company to better its environmental performance along products’ life cycle. Five different desks were analyzed. Preliminary results showed that in four products out of five, the principal environmental impact was produced by furniture transportation while other impacts were produced outside furniture manufacturing processes.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Análisis de desempeño ambiental de muebles de oficina : Detección de puntos críticos para la elaboración de indicadores ambientales

La evaluación del desempeño ambiental de productos para su eco-etiquetado es una práctica cada vez más corriente en el mercado de países industrializados. Los estudios ambientales necesarios para la implementación de un programa de eco-etiquetado están regulados por un conjunto de procedimientos claramente determinados en la normativa ISO. En nuestro país las iniciativas existentes están orientadas a la certificación de productos primarios de exportación. Sin embargo no existen antecedentes sobre la certificación ambiental de manufacturas industriales. Dada la demanda específica de una empresa manufacturera local de muebles de oficina, desde el INCIHUSA-CONICET se ha dado inicio al análisis ambiental de sus muebles. Dicho estudio tiene por objetivo conocer los impactos ambientales producidos por el mueble con el fin de poder diseñar indicadores de desempeño que le permitan al empresario mejorar las debilidades detectadas no solo en el proceso de manufactura sino en la selección de sus insumos, en el transporte, uso y disposición final de su producto. El análisis se llevó a cabo con 5 muebles de la firma. Entre los resultados preliminares obtenidos se tiene por un lado; que en 4 de 5 muebles el principal impacto está producido por la distribución del mueble y por el otro que gran parte de los principales impactos se producen por fuera del proceso de manufactura.Environmental evaluation of products for eco-labeling is becoming more and more usual in industrialized markets. The implementation of eco-labeling program and the required environmental analysis are all regulated by ISO norms. In the case of Argentina, product certification has been oriented to exportation products coming from primary industry but not from manufacturing industry. Recently, a local office furniture manufacturing company has been interested in certifying its products. The INCIHUSA-CONICET has began an environmental analysis for eco-labeling its products. The goal of the study has been to detect environmental weaknesses to design eco-indicators that can help the company to better its environmental performance along products’ life cycle. Five different desks were analyzed. Preliminary results showed that in four products out of five, the principal environmental impact was produced by furniture transportation while other impacts were produced outside furniture manufacturing processes.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Análisis de desempeño ambiental de muebles de oficina : Detección de puntos críticos para la elaboración de indicadores ambientales

La evaluación del desempeño ambiental de productos para su eco-etiquetado es una práctica cada vez más corriente en el mercado de países industrializados. Los estudios ambientales necesarios para la implementación de un programa de eco-etiquetado están regulados por un conjunto de procedimientos claramente determinados en la normativa ISO. En nuestro país las iniciativas existentes están orientadas a la certificación de productos primarios de exportación. Sin embargo no existen antecedentes sobre la certificación ambiental de manufacturas industriales. Dada la demanda específica de una empresa manufacturera local de muebles de oficina, desde el INCIHUSA-CONICET se ha dado inicio al análisis ambiental de sus muebles. Dicho estudio tiene por objetivo conocer los impactos ambientales producidos por el mueble con el fin de poder diseñar indicadores de desempeño que le permitan al empresario mejorar las debilidades detectadas no solo en el proceso de manufactura sino en la selección de sus insumos, en el transporte, uso y disposición final de su producto. El análisis se llevó a cabo con 5 muebles de la firma. Entre los resultados preliminares obtenidos se tiene por un lado; que en 4 de 5 muebles el principal impacto está producido por la distribución del mueble y por el otro que gran parte de los principales impactos se producen por fuera del proceso de manufactura.Environmental evaluation of products for eco-labeling is becoming more and more usual in industrialized markets. The implementation of eco-labeling program and the required environmental analysis are all regulated by ISO norms. In the case of Argentina, product certification has been oriented to exportation products coming from primary industry but not from manufacturing industry. Recently, a local office furniture manufacturing company has been interested in certifying its products. The INCIHUSA-CONICET has began an environmental analysis for eco-labeling its products. The goal of the study has been to detect environmental weaknesses to design eco-indicators that can help the company to better its environmental performance along products’ life cycle. Five different desks were analyzed. Preliminary results showed that in four products out of five, the principal environmental impact was produced by furniture transportation while other impacts were produced outside furniture manufacturing processes.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Start-up in microgravity and local thermodynamic states of a hybrid loop thermosyphon/pulsating heat pipe

A wickless passive two phase closed loop heat transfer device especially designed for a future implementation on the heat transfer host module of the International Space Station is tested in relevant environment on board a parabolic flight. The tube internal diameter (3 mm) is larger than the static capillary threshold evaluated in normal gravity for this working fluid (FC-72), leading the device to work as a loop thermosyphon on ground and in hyper-gravity conditions, and as a Pulsating Heat Pipe when micro-gravity occurs. Novel start up tests, where the heat load has been provided after the occurrence of microgravity, show that the 20 s microgravity period is enough for the device activation and, most important, that the device activation is purely thermally induced and not affected by the previous acceleration field. Two miniaturized pressure transducers and direct fluid temperature measurement via two micro-thermocouples, allow to provide a detailed insight on the fluid local thermodynamics states both in the evaporator and in the condenser zone during microgravity. It is shown that the two-phase fluid close to the evaporator and the condenser is subjected to several degrees (up to 5 K) of superheating or subcooling. The level of subcooling seems to increase with the heat input level both in terms of temperature difference and in terms of percentage time with respect to the whole microgravity period