3,383 research outputs found
Family firms and investments
Family firms are a widespread control structure in most countries, especially among smaller firms. A vast literature addresses the question of whether they are performing better or worse than comparable non family firms, with not entirely conclusive results. Here we take a different, indirect approach and test whether investment decisions in family firms are more sensitive to uncertainty than in other firms. By using a novel dataset that includess both a better definition of family firms than commonly used (through self evaluation) and a very good proxy of the uncertainty on future demand that firms face, we are able to verify that â as compared to other firms â family firms are significantly more sensitive to uncertainty: this might contribute to explain why in some situations they perform better, whereas in others they do worse. We find evidence that this greater sensitivity to uncertainty in family firms is basically due to the effects of risk aversion and capital irreversibility, where the latter appear to be associated to a greater opaqueness of family firms rather than to the degree of sunkness of fixed capital. Finally, we propose some evidence that the prevalence of family firms in Italy might be associated to long standing institutional factors, such as an inefficient law enforcement system and a low social capital.Family firms; investments; uncertainty; risk aversion; capital irreversibility
Sharp estimates for the anisotropic torsional rigidity and the principal frequency
In this paper we generalize some classical estimates involving the torsional
rigidity and the principal frequency of a convex domain to a class of
functionals related to some anisotropic non linear operators
Experimental single photon exchange along a space link of 7000 km
Extending the single photon transmission distance is a basic requirement for
the implementation of quantum communication on a global scale. In this work we
report the single photon exchange from a medium Earth orbit satellite (MEO) at
more than 7000 km of slanted distance to the ground station at the Matera Laser
Ranging Observatory. The single photon transmitter was realized by exploiting
the corner cube retro-reflectors mounted on the LAGEOS-2 satellite. Long
duration of data collection is possible with such altitude, up to 43 minutes in
a single passage. The mean number of photons per pulse ({\mu}sat) has been
limited to 1 for 200 seconds, resulting in an average detection rate of 3.0 cps
and a signal to noise ratio of 1.5. The feasibility of single photon exchange
from MEO satellites paves the way to tests of Quantum Mechanics in moving
frames and to global Quantum Information.Comment: 5 pages, updated versio
Experimental Satellite Quantum Communications
Quantum Communications on planetary scale require complementary channels
including ground and satellite links. The former have progressed up to
commercial stage using fiber-cables, while for satellite links, the absence of
terminals in orbit has impaired theirs development. However, the demonstration
of the feasibility of such links is crucial for designing space payloads and to
eventually enable the realization of protocols such as quantum-key-distribution
(QKD) and quantum teleportation along satellite-to-ground or intersatellite
links. We demonstrated the faithful transmission of qubits from space to ground
by exploiting satellite corner cube retroreflectors acting as transmitter in
orbit, obtaining a low error rate suitable for QKD. We also propose a two-way
QKD protocol exploiting modulated retroreflectors that necessitates a minimal
payload on satellite, thus facilitating the expansion of Space Quantum
Communications
Canguilhem and Continental Philosophy of Biology
This edited volume presents papers on this alternative philosophy of biology that could be called âcontinental philosophy of biology,â and the variety of positions and solutions that it has spawned. In doing so, it contributes to debates in the history and philosophy of science and the history of philosophy of science, as well as to the craving for âhistoryâ and/or âtheoryâ in the theoretical biological disciplines. In addition, however, it also provides inspiration for a broader image of philosophy of biology, in which these traditional issues may have a place. The volume devotes specific attention to the work of Georges Canguilhem, which is central to this alternative tradition of âcontinental philosophy of biologyâ. This is the first collection on Georges Canguilhem and the Continental tradition in philosophy of biology. The book should be of interest to philosophers of biology, continental philosophers, historians of biology and those interested in broader traditions in philosophy of science
Characterization of Sicilian olive genotypes by multivariate analysis of leaf and fruit chemical and morphological properties
Leaf and fruit size and shape were measured and mannitol, glucose, sucrose and malic acid were quantified in leaf, bark and fruit of 25 Sicilian olive genotypes. Multivariate analysis was used to individuate groups with similar chemical composition and morphological traits suggesting potential for stress tolerance and/or oil yield and quality. Mannitol content varied greatly among genotypes and was the most abundant carbohydrate in leaf and bark, whereas glucose was the most abundant in fruit. Sucrose and malic acid were generally low indicating a marginal role in olive tissues. Mannitol and glucose were directly related in both leaf and fruit tissues. Genotypes also differed for carbohydrate partitioning among tissues, and multivariate analysis individuated a group of seven genotypes associated to leaf length:width, length:area, glucose, mannitol, and sucrose, which should stand for environmental stress tolerance. Multivariate analysis also individuated a group of six genotypes associated to malic acid, oleic acid, oleic:linoleic, and polyphenols, and therefore showing potential for production of high quality and stable olive oil. Overall, three of the 25 genotypes in trial seem to combine a good degree of abiotic stress tolerance with production of high quality and stable olive oil
Interference at the Single Photon Level Along Satellite-Ground Channels
Quantum interference arising from superposition of states is a striking
evidence of the validity of Quantum Mechanics, confirmed in many experiments
and also exploited in applications. However, as for any scientific theory,
Quantum Mechanics is valid within the limits in which it has been
experimentally verified. In order to extend such limits, it is necessary to
observe quantum interference in unexplored conditions such as moving terminals
at large distance in Space. Here we experimentally demonstrate single photon
interference at a ground station due to the coherent superposition of two
temporal modes reflected by a rapidly moving satellite thousand kilometers
away. The relative speed of the satellite induces a varying modulation in the
interference pattern. The measurement of the satellite distance in real time by
laser ranging allowed us to precisely predict the instantaneous value of the
interference phase. We then observed the interference patterns with visibility
up to with three different satellites and with path length up to 5000
km. Our results attest the viability of photon temporal modes for fundamental
tests of Physics and Quantum Communications in Space.Comment: Version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let
Diurnal regulation of leaf water status in high- and low-mannitol olive cultivars
The role of mannitol and malic acid in the regulation of diurnal leaf water relations was investigated in âBiancolillaâ (high-mannitol) and âCerasuolaâ (low-mannitol) olive trees. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (T), relative water content (RWC), mannitol and malic acid were measured in âBiancolillaâ and âCerasuolaâ leaves during a dry and hot day of summer in Sicily. In general, leaves of âBiancolillaâ trees exhibited greater mannitol content, higher gs and T, but lower RWC than leaves of âCerasuolaâ trees. Differences in gs and T between the two cultivars were evident mainly in mid to late morning. âBiancolillaâ leaves accumulated mannitol at midday and again late in the evening. Stomatal responses to VPD were RWC dependent, and limited somewhat T, only in âBiancolillaâ. Mannitol was directly related to RWC, and may play an osmotic role, in âBiancolillaâ leaves, whereas âCerasuolaâ leaves remained well hydrated by just transpiring less and regardless of mannitol. A day-time accumulation and night-time utilization of mannitol in âBiancolillaâ leaves is proposed as an efficient mechanism to regulate water status and growth
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