Complex Networks Unveiling Spatial Patterns in Turbulence

Numerical and experimental turbulence simulations are nowadays reaching the size of the so-called big data, thus requiring refined investigative tools for appropriate statistical analyses and data mining. We present a new approach based on the complex network theory, offering a powerful framework to explore complex systems with a huge number of interacting elements. Although interest on complex networks has been increasing in the last years, few recent studies have been applied to turbulence. We propose an investigation starting from a two-point correlation for the kinetic energy of a forced isotropic field numerically solved. Among all the metrics analyzed, the degree centrality is the most significant, suggesting the formation of spatial patterns which coherently move with similar vorticity over the large eddy turnover time scale. Pattern size can be quantified through a newly-introduced parameter (i.e., average physical distance) and varies from small to intermediate scales. The network analysis allows a systematic identification of different spatial regions, providing new insights into the spatial characterization of turbulent flows. Based on present findings, the application to highly inhomogeneous flows seems promising and deserves additional future investigation.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 3 table

Person-Specific Methods for Characterizing the Course and Temporal Dynamics of Concussion Symptomatology: A Pilot Study.

Better characterization of acute concussion symptomatology is needed in order to advance clinical and scientific understanding of persistent concussion symptoms. This paper aims to illustrate a novel framework for conceptualizing, collecting, and analyzing concussion symptom data. To that end, we describe the temporal and structural dynamics of acute concussion symptoms at the individual-patient level. Ten recently concussion adolescents and young adults completed 20 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of post-concussion symptoms. Follow-up assessments were completed at 3 months post-injury. Network modeling revealed marked heterogeneity across participants. In the overall sample, temporal patterns explained the most variance in light sensitivity (48%) and the least variance in vomiting (5%). About half of the participants had symptom networks that were sparse after controlling for temporal variation. The other individualized symptom networks were densely interconnected clusters of symptoms. Networks were highly idiosyncratic in nature, yet emotional symptoms (nervousness, emotional, sadness), cognitive symptoms (mental fogginess, slowness), and symptoms of hyperacusis (sensitivity to light, sensitivity to noise) tended to cluster together across participants. Person-specific analytic techniques revealed a number of idiosyncratic features of post-concussion symptomatology. We propose applying this framework to future research to better understand individual differences in concussion recovery

The determinants of the quality of Sales-Marketing Interface in a Multinational Customer Brand Focused Company: The Latin American Branches

Customer evolution and changes in consumers, determine the fact that the quality of the interface between marketing and sales may represent a true competitive advantage for the firm. Building on multidimensional theoretical and empirical models developed in Europe and on social network analysis, the organizational interface between the marketing and sales departments of a multinational high-growth company with operations in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay is studied. Both, attitudinal and social network measures of information exchange are used to make operational the nature and quality of the interface and its impact on performance. Results show the existence of a positive relationship of formalization, joint planning, teamwork, trust and information transfer on interface quality, as well as a positive relationship between interface quality and business performance. We conclude that efficient design and organizational management of the exchange network are essential for the successful performance of consumer goods companies that seek to develop distinctive capabilities to adapt to markets that experience vertiginous change