Polytechnic University of Milan

About: Polytechnic University of Milan is a education organization based out in Milan, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Finite element method. The organization has 18231 authors who have published 58416 publications receiving 1229711 citations. The organization is also known as: PoliMi & L-NESS.

Protein Equalizer™ Technology : The quest for a “democratic proteome”

Abstract: No proteome can be considered "democratic", but rather "oligarchic", since a few proteins dominate the landscape and often obliterate the signal of the rare ones. This is the reason why most scientists lament that, in proteome analysis, the same set of abundant proteins is seen again and again. A host of pre-fractionation techniques have been described, but all of them, one way or another, are besieged by problems, in that they are based on a "depletion principle", i.e. getting rid of the unwanted species. Yet "democracy" calls not for killing the enemy, but for giving "equal rights" to all people. One way to achieve that would be the use of "Protein Equalizer Technology" for reducing protein concentration differences. This comprises a diverse library of combinatorial ligands coupled to spherical porous beads. When these beads come into contact with complex proteomes (e.g. human urine and serum, egg white, and any cell lysate, for that matter) of widely differing protein composition and relative abundances, they are able to "equalize" the protein population, by sharply reducing the concentration of the most abundant components, while simultaneously enhancing the concentration of the most dilute species. It is felt that this novel method could offer a strong step forward in bringing the "unseen proteome" (due to either low abundance and/or presence of interference) within the detection capabilities of current proteomics detection methods. Examples are given of equalization of human urine and serum samples, resulting in the discovery of a host of proteins never reported before. Additionally, these beads can be used to remove host cell proteins from purified recombinant proteins or protein purified from natural sources that are intended for human consumption. These proteins typically reach purities of the order of 98%: higher purities often become prohibitively expensive. Yet, if incubated with "equalizer beads", these last impurities can be effectively removed at a small cost and with minute losses of the main, valuable product.

Broadband (0.05 to 20 s) prediction of displacement response spectra based on worldwide digital records

Abstract: A new set of empirical equations for prediction of displacement response spectral ordinates from 20 Hz to T = 20 s is illustrated The coefficients of the equations were obtained by regressing a dataset based on 1,155 tri-axial digital and 9 analog accelerometer records from 60 earthquakes worldwide Long period disturbances in the accelerograms were evaluated and removed using a very recent method, aimed at preserving the long-period spectral content of the records Analysis of variance has disclosed only little evidence for regional dependence of ground motions, while a carefully conducted evaluation of site effects resulted in clearly differentiated spectral amplification bands associated to the main ground types B, C, and D of Eurocode 8 Spectral ordinates for vibration periods >5 s were found to scale with magnitude quite consistently with theoretical scaling from Brune’s model On the other hand, comparison of results with those yielded by recent prediction models in Europe and the United States (NGA), indicated that the latter may not be uniformly reliable at long periods The proposed empirical equations are easily implemented in computer programs for seismic hazard assessment, being characterized by a simple functional form and a restricted number of predictor variables

Software process model evolution in the SPADE environment

Abstract: Software processes are long-lived entities. Careful design and thorough validation of software process models are necessary to ensure the quality of the process. They do not prevent, however, process models from undergoing change. Change requests may occur in the context of reuse, i.e. statically, in order to support software process model customization. They can also occur dynamically, while software process models are being executed, in order to support timely reaction as data are gathered from the field during process enactment. We discuss the mechanisms a process language should possess in order to support changes. We illustrate the solution adopted in the context of the SPADE environment and discuss how the proposed mechanisms can be used to model different policies for changing a software process model. >

Family firms in the global economy: Toward a deeper understanding of internationalization determinants, processes, and outcomes

Abstract: Research on the internationalization of family firms has flourished in recent years, yet the mechanisms through which family involvement shapes the determinants, processes, and outcomes of internationalization remain little understood and largely undertheorized. We contribute to research at the intersection of international business and family business by examining the roles of different sources of family firm heterogeneity and the context in shaping the determinants, processes, and outcomes of business internationalization. Drawing on this analysis, we summarize the articles published in this special issue and set out an agenda for further research aimed at advancing a more fine-grained and contextualized understanding of internationalization in family firms.