The analysis of multilevel networks in organizations: models and empirical tests

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordStudies of social networks in organizations confront analytical challenges posed by the multilevel effects of hierarchical relations between organizational subunits on the presence or absence of informal network relations among organizational members. Conventional multilevel models may be usefully adopted to control for generic forms of non-independence between tie variables defined at multiple levels of analysis. Such models, however, are unable to identify the specific multilevel dependence mechanisms generating the observed network data. This is the basic difference between multilevel analysis of networks and the analysis of multilevel networks. The aim of this article is to show how recently derived multilevel exponential random graph models (MERGMs) may be specified and estimated to address the problems posed by the analysis of multilevel networks in organizations. We illustrate our methodological proposal using data on hierarchical subordination and informal communication relations between top managers in a multiunit industrial group. We discuss the implications of our results in the broader context of current theories of organizations as connected multilevel systems.Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF

THE FARMHOUSES OF THE ROMAN COUNTRYSIDE: CENSUS AND CATALOG. THE CASE OF THE ESTATE OF FARNESIANA

Abstract. Rome is one of the cities with the largest green areas in the world, spread in villas and estates, within the municipal territory. But there is also a landscape triangle that radially branches out from the historic center, including a variety of unique situations (archaeological, historical – social, settlement, agriculture ...) in the world: the Caffarella and aqueducts Park. Inside, the Farnesiana estate, Capo di Bove, it's a witness of a widespread degradation process in the Roman countryside, which requires a gradual procedure of knowledge, cataloguing, restoration and re-functioning of the historical heritage. In this regard, the research is part of a larger study project of the Department of Architecture of Roma Tre, concerning farmhouses of the Roman countryside that deal with worrying degradation conditions and which require imminent intervention.</p

HIGH JUMP DIRECT DYNAMIC SIMULATION

INTRODUcrION High jumps are composed of a complex sequence of movements whose single contribution to the whole body motion cannot be intuitively predicted. While most of the movements are well learned by the elite athletes in order to reach the result, few are not effective or negative from the mechanical point of view and are probably performed for an erroneous feeling of their effects. The direct dynamic simulation of jumping can be useful in order to more fully understand the mechanics of high jump techniques; to explain to the athletes the consequences of some errors; and to test possible evolution of the exercise. When the external forces and the relative movements of the limbs are known, the calculation of the whole body trajectory and orientation is a direct dynamic problem

Expandohedra: Modeling Structural Transitions of a Viral Capsid

Inspired by natural phenomena and mathematical theory this paper presents the development of a model, based on the dodecahedron, that visualizes the structural transition and expansion of a capsid (viral protein shell)

Photon counting with loop detector

We propose a design for a photon counting detector capable of resolving multiphoton events. The basic element of the setup is a fiber loop, which traps the input field with the help of a fast electrooptic switch. A single weakly coupled avalanche photodiode is used to detect small portions of the signal field extracted from the loop. We analyze the response of the loop detector to an arbitrary input field, and discuss both the reconstruction of the photon number distribution of an unknown field from the count statistics measured in the setup, and the application of the detector in conditional state preparation.Comment: 3 pages, REVTe

Skin layer recovery of free-surface wakes: Relationship to surface renewal and dependence on heat flux and background turbulence

The thermal signatures of free-surface wakes observed in the open ocean show that the recovery of the cool skin layer is related to the degree of surface mixing and to ambient environmental conditions. Wakes produced by two surface-piercing cables of O(10−2 m) in diameter are analyzed using infrared imagery. Under low-wind-speed conditions when the swell and surface current were aligned, the wakes exhibited distinctive patchlike features of O(1 m) in diameter that were generated by the passage of individual waves. The time t* required by the skin layer to recover from these disturbances is compared to the surface-renewal timescale τ used in heat and gas flux models. At low wind speeds, t* is comparable to τ, but at moderate wind speeds the agreement is poor. The spatial and temporal variations in the skin temperature of these wakes are related to a wave Reynolds number used to characterize the strength of the disturbance due to the waves. The recovery process is characterized in terms of the restoring internal energy flux Jr which is proportional to both the initial thickness and the thermal recovery rate of the skin layer and was found to be directly related to the strength of the surface disruption. Comparison of the wake results with laboratory and other field measurements of breaking waves implies that Jr is also a strong function of the net heat flux and background turbulence, which relate directly to the existing environmental conditions such as wind stress and sea state. Our results demonstrate that Jr may vary by several orders of magnitude, depending on the environmental conditions

A COMPOSITE MODEL FOR THE SIMULATION OF SKIING TECHNIQUES

INTRODUCTION In this work we present a model for skiing technique analysis and simulation: it consists of a man model, an equipment model and a contact (ski-snow) model. Such a model is the basis for a deeper understanding of the interaction between skier and equipment and its use will be profitable in various applications such as: equipment optimisation and technique improvement. Moreover this simulation technique can be profitably used for teaching the basic principles of skiing. MATERIAL AND METHODS To build our model we combined the methods used for multibody systems dynamic analysis (man model with finite element techniques (ski model). The human body model consists of 3D chains of rigid bodies: according to the "sophistication" of the simulation we use 16 segments, with 39'internal d.0.f (full man model), or 7 segments, with 6 internal d.0.f . To describe rigid body dynamics and kinematics (man model) we adopt a method based on homogeneous matrices (Casolo 1995): both the absolute and the relative position, velocity and acceleration are described by 4x4 matrices, as well as the inertial properties and the external loads. This approach allows to embed both the linear and angular terms in the same formalism. To derive the equation of motion a Lagrangian approach was adopted, leading to this expression: Mq+C(cf.q.t) = Fl(q.q,t) +Ft(q,q) where M is the mass matrix, C contain the weight, the centrifugal and Coriolis effect, Ft contains joint torques, F2 represent the action exchanged with ski through the bindings and the vector q contains joints laws of motion. The model can be used to perform direct and inverse dynamics analysis of skiing, since it allows the input of joint torques and/or joint relative movements, that can be experimental data or can be generated by scratch, by a law of motion preprocessor. Skis are modelled with Finite Element techniques. The internal structure of a ski is quite complex: different material, with complex arrangement, are employed giving rise to properties (stiffness, damping and mass) which can be determined by experimental measures or by complex FE analysis. These properties can be quite well reproduced by means of a simplified model consisting of 3D beam elements . Some geometrical features, such as camber and sidecut, can be easily reproduced. Ski equations of motion, in matrix form, are: M9+ q v r e l + Kq&f = F,,I +Fnlon-ski f F.+.ki - cn,,wn where M, C, K are, respectively, the ski mass, damping and stiffness matrices. The ski load consists of three terms: weight, action exerted by the skier through the bindings and the contact action exerted by the snow. A simple contact model has been also developed, based on the assumption that the snow reacts both to ski deepening, sliding and skidding. This simple model can take into account, for example, the effect of ski vibration on the ski-snow interaction. RESULTS Some simulations have been performed to test model capabilities: we analysed the effect of ski torsional stiffness, as well as the amount of sidecut, on skier trajectory during traverse and turns. The model is also used to simulate the aerial phase of a free-style jump and the following landing phase. In all of these cases simulation can be an useful tool for predicting the effect of changing joint movements (i.e varying skiing technique) and equipment characteristics. A sensitivity analysis can be a first step toward a technique and equipment optimisation. References Casolo F., Legnani G., Righettini P., Zappa B. "A homogeneous matrix approach to 3D kinematics and dynamics", TMM (in press)

Experiment Investigating the Connection between Weak Values and Contextuality

Weak value measurements have recently given rise to a large interest for both the possibility of measurement amplification and the chance of further quantum mechanics foundations investigation. In particular, a question emerged about weak values being proof of the incompatibility between Quantum Mechanics and Non-Contextual Hidden Variables Theories (NCHVT). A test to provide a conclusive answer to this question was given in [M. Pusey, Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 200401 (2014)], where a theorem was derived showing the NCHVT incompatibility with the observation of anomalous weak values under specific conditions. In this paper we realize this proposal, clearly pointing out the strict connection between weak values and the contextual nature of Quantum Mechanics.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Microscale wave breaking and air-water gas transfer

Laboratory results showing that the air-water gas transfer velocity k is correlated with mean square wave slope have been cited as evidence that a wave-related mechanism regulates k at low to moderate wind speeds [Jähne et al., 1987; Bock et al., 1999]. Csanady [1990] has modeled the effect of microscale wave breaking on air-water gas transfer with the result that k is proportional to the fractional surface area covered by surface renewal generated during the breaking process. In this report we investigate the role of microscale wave breaking in gas transfer by determining the correlation between k and AB, the fractional area coverage of microscale breaking waves. Simultaneous, colocated infrared (IR) and wave slope imagery is used to verify that AB detected using IR techniques corresponds to the fraction of surface area covered by surface renewal in the wakes of microscale breaking waves. Using measurements of k and AB made at the University of Washington wind-wave tank at wind speeds from 4.6 to 10.7 m s−1, we show that k is linearly correlated with AB, regardless of the presence of surfactants. This result is consistent with Csanady's [1990] model and implies that microscale wave breaking is likely a fundamental physical mechanism contributing to gas transfer

Development, Validation and Preliminary Experiments of a Measuring Technique for Eggs Aging Estimation Based on Pulse Phase Thermography

Assessment of the freshness of hen eggs destinated to human consumption is an extremely important goal for the modern food industry and sale chains, as eggs show a rapid natural aging which also depends on the storage conditions. Traditional techniques, such as candling and visual observation, have some practical limitations related to the subjective and qualitative nature of the analysis. The main objective of this paper is to propose a robust and automated approach, based on the use of pulsed phase thermography (PPT) and image processing, that can be used as an effective quality control tool to evaluate the freshness of eggs. As many studies show that the air chamber size is proportional to the egg freshness, the technique relies on the monitoring of the air chamber parameters to infer egg aging over time. The raw and phase infrared images are acquired and then post-processed by a dedicated algorithm which has been designed to automatically measure the size of the air chamber, in terms of normalized area and volume. The robustness of the method is firstly assessed through repeatability and reproducibility tests, which demonstrate that the uncertainty in the measure of the air chamber size never exceeds 5%. Then, an experimental campaign on a larger sample of 30 eggs, equally divided into three size categories (M, L, XL), is conducted. For each egg, the main sizes of the air chamber are measured with the proposed method and their evolution over time is investigated. Results have revealed, for all the egg categories, the existence of an analytic relationship and a high degree of correlation (R-2 &gt; 0.95) between the geometric data of the air chamber and the weight loss, which is a well-known marker of egg aging