Search results for "Philosophy of Science"

Crazy about science: The difficulties to mix accountability and caregiving

2016

The general model for evaluating scientific production fits into the accountability system: a way of measuring scientific output which does not usually acknowledge the presence of gender imbalances in academic institutions. Here we take the need to rethink this system and the indicators it uses to measure productivity and scientific quality, as well as the social conditions in which these activities are measured, as a starting point. In particular, we urge the review of this system, considering the administration of caregiving to dependents, be they young or old, as an example, because it is an unresolved problem that affects scientific work as well as progress in gender equality in univers…

An open path for gender equality in research: When women scientists question the state of science and the institutions embrace the criticism

2016

The institutionalisation of equality policy in science, both at the national and the European scale, should facilitate progress towards equality in a space that wants to consider itself merit (and ability) driven. But discriminatory practices, both conscious and unconscious, direct or indirect, leave women out of many of the positions that they should occupy according to their accomplishments and capabilities. Many scientific institutions and their professionals still do not understand that if gender equality is only formally achieved and actual compliance is not monitored, they will lose part of the talent they are trying to cultivate.

Bilateral Monopoly: A Contribution by Francesco Ferrara

2009

In this paper, we propose an interpretation of the application of "cost of reproduction" of Francesco Ferrara to the exchange between two agents to highlight its relevance for the theory of bilateral monopoly. In the Teoria delle Mercedi (1863), Ferrara gives a numerical example to explain price determination in the exchange between one buyer and one seller. Here, this example is translated into a mathematical model that reproduces the fundamental issues of the neoclassical debate on the indeterminacy of price in the Cournot model (1938), and anticipates the solutions proposed by Edgeworth (1881) at the end of this debate.

Grand theories or design guidelines? : Perspectives on the role of theory in computing education research

2022

A rich body of empirically grounded results and a solid theory base have often been viewed as signs of a mature discipline. Many disciplines have frequently debated what they should accept as legitimate kinds of theories, the proper roles of theory, and appropriate reference disciplines. Computing education research (CER) in particular has seen a growing number of calls for the development of domain-specific theories for CER, an adaptation of theories from other fields, and engagement with theory-based experimental and predictive research in CER. Many of those calls share the same concerns and aims, yet they use very different vocabulary and lack a consensus over an essential concept: theor…

Bridges: A World Community for Mathematical Art

2016

Brain Research Reveals Automatic Musical Memory Functions in Children

2009

Even though music has special meanings and values compared to other sounds, it is nonetheless processed in the brain via partly the same neural networks that are built to process all kinds of sounds. The development of these brain areas depends on the input: on the sounds that a child is exposed to and chooses to attend to. We present two brain research paradigms that can be used to assess the specialization of the brain for musical sounds, and show promising results with these paradigms in a group of young children who have music as their hobby.

Current insights into neutrophil homeostasis

2012

Neutrophil granulocytes represent the first immunologic barrier against invading pathogens, and neutropenia predisposes to infection. However, neutrophils may also cause significant collateral inflammatory damage. Therefore, neutrophil numbers are tightly regulated by an incompletely understood homeostatic feedback loop adjusting the marrow's supply to peripheral needs. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is accepted to be the major determinant of neutrophil production, and G-CSF levels have, soon after its discovery, been described to be inversely correlated with neutrophil counts. A neutrophil sensor, or "neutrostat," has, therefore, been postulated. The prevailing feedback hypo…

Antigens and Cytokine Genes in Antitumor Vaccines

2006

Studies against cancer, including clinical trials, have shown that a correct activation of the immune system can lead to tumor rejection whereas incorrect signaling results in no positive effects or even anergy. We have worked assuming that two signals, GM-CSF (granulocyte and macrophage colony-stimulating factor) and tumor antigens are necessary to mediate an antitumor effective response. To study which is the ideal temporal sequence for their administration, we have used a murine model of antimelanoma vaccine employing whole B16 tumor cells or their membrane protein antigens (TMPs) in combination with gm-csf transfer before or after the antigen delivery. Our results show that: (i) When gm…

Introduction to stem cell biology in vitro. Threshold to the future.

1999

Abstract: Transplantable hematopoietic cells with multilineage reconstituting ability can be quantitated in suspensions of human or murine cells using similar assay procedures. The incorporation into these assays of stringently defined functional endpoints ensures a high degree of specificity for the cells detected. Application of these assays to stem cell-containing suspensions after they have been stimulated for several days with defined cytokines in vitro, or by a mixture of defined and/or undefined factors in vivo, has shown that net amplifications in these populations can be obtained under both circumstances. Such studies have allowed cytokine conditions that support stem cell self-ren…

From interleukin-9 to T helper 9 cells

2012

Abstract Interleukin-9 (IL-9), cloned more than 20 years ago, was initially thought to be a Th2-specific cytokine. This assumption was initially confirmed by functional analyses showing that both IL-9 and Th2 cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, IgE class switch recombination, and resolution of parasitic infections. However, recently it was shown that IL-9-producing CD4(+) T cells represent the discrete T helper subset Th9 cells. Herein, we will review the cytokines and transcription factors known to promote the development of Th9 cells and their potential functional properties in relation to the biological activities of IL-9. In addition, we will discuss how Th9 cell…