Macroscopic description of microscopically strongly inhomogenous systems: A mathematical basis for the synthesis of higher gradients metamaterials

We consider the time evolution of a one dimensional $n$-gradient continuum. Our aim is to construct and analyze discrete approximations in terms of physically realizable mechanical systems, called microscopic because they are living on a smaller space scale. We validate our construction by proving a convergence theorem of the microscopic system to the given continuum, as the scale parameter goes to zero.Comment: 20 page

Temporary Project Network and Innovation: a Research on Italian Regional Wine Industry

This study aims at exploring the characteristics of the Temporary Project Networks (TPNs) in small and medium-sized wine producing enterprises, both from a theoretical and an empirical perspective. It aims to discuss different types of temporary inter-firm collaboration clusters both in terms of structural/organizational features and in terms of innovation tasks development. It also aims to develop an empirically derived taxonomy of TPNs within the Sannio wine industry

Abundance of the iron containing biomolecule, heme b, during the progression of a spring phytoplankton bloom in a mesocosm experiment

Concentrations of heme b were determined in a mesocosm experiment situated in Gullmar Fjord off Sweden. The mesocosm experiment lasted for ca. one hundred days and was characterised by the growth of a primary nutrient replete and a secondary nutrient deplete phytoplankton bloom. Heme b varied between 40 ± 10 pmol L-1 in the prebloom period up to a maximum of 700 ± 400 pmol L-1 just prior to the time of the primary chlorophyll a maximum. Thereafter, heme b concentrations decreased again to an average of 120 ± 60 pmol L-1. When normalised to total particulate carbon, heme b was most abundant during the initiation of the nutrient replete spring bloom, when ratios reached 52 ± 24 μmol mol-1; ten times higher than values observed both pre and post the primary bloom. Concentrations of heme b correlated with those of chlorophyll a. Nevertheless, differences were observed in the relative concentrations of the two parameters, with heme b concentrations increasing relative to chlorophyll a during the growth of the primary bloom, decreasing over the period of the secondary bloom and increasing again through the latter period of the experiment. Heme b abundance was therefore influenced by nutrient concentrations and also likely by changing community composition. In half of the mesocosms, pCO2 was elevated and maintained at ca.1000 μatm, however we observed no significant differences between heme b in plus or ambient pCO2 mesocosms, either in absolute terms, or relative to total particulate carbon and chlorophyll a. The results obtained in this study contribute to our understanding of the distribution of this significant component of the biogenic iron pool, and provide an iron replete coastal water end member that aids the interpretation of the distributions of heme b in more iron deplete open ocean waters

Bridging business model and inter-organizational coordination mechanisms in the Italian wine industry

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to interpret the concept of a business model from the pattern of coordination mechanisms used by an Italian wine cooperative to manage its inter-organizational relationships. Design/methodology/approach – The business model is taken as the structure and governance of the relationships between the focal firm and its exchange partners. The empirical analysis is based on a qualitative investigation, analyzing material collected at the Farming Cooperative Gran Cru. Findings – Several different coordination mechanisms were used to rethink the firm customer value proposition, showing a very complex and dynamic inter-organizational system: process control mechanisms, knowledge suppliers and clan control mechanisms. The combination of mechanisms enables the firm to govern the extreme complexity of external complementarities and interdependence among activities and resources. Practical implications – The study is particularly helpful to managers because wine entrepreneurs and managers can influence their networks’ features and strategies, as well as the mechanisms for governance of the relationships and extracting customer value. Originality/value – The study seeks to enrich the debate on the strategy/structure fit by shifting the focus from the organizational to inter-organizational level of analysis. The analysis centers on boundary-spanning relationships between one wine firm and its partners and knowledge suppliers. This perspective brings business model analysis and inter-organizational design closer because variables of the business model – such as customer value – can be seen as combinations of inter-organizational coordination mechanisms

GEOLOGY AND WINE PRODUCTION: A PRELIMINARY CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEFINITION OF THE IRPINIA AREA TERROIR (AVELLINO PROVINCE)

Il comprensorio irpino, una delle aree di più antico insediamento, coltivazione, studio e diffusione della vite, è un territorio di estremo interesse per la vitivinicoltura nazionale caratterizzato, come è, da una produzione di pregio, tra le più importanti nel mondo, che s’identifica in tre DOCG: Taurasi, Greco di Tufo e Fiano di Avellino. Di quell’area, larga parte della quale ricade entro il Parco Regionale dei Monti Picentini, vengono descritte le caratteristiche litologiche, morfologiche ed idrogeologiche. Viene, poi, formulata la proposta di inserire gli areali di quelle DOCG entro gli itinerari disegnati a collegare, illustrandoli e rendendoli fruibili a tutti, Patrimonio Geologico e Patrimonio Biotico di quell’Area Naturale Protetta.The Irpinia district, one of the oldest areas of settlement, cultivation, study and diffusion of the grapevine, is a territory of great interest for the national wine growing. This area is characterized of high quality production, among the most important in the world, corresponding to three DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin): “Taurasi”, “Greco di Tufo” and “Fiano di Avellino”. The lithological, morphological and hydrogeological features of this area, a large part of which is included within the Parco Regionale dei Monti Picentini, are described. The proposal to include the DOCG areas within designed routes to connect the Geological and Biotic Heritage of the Natural Protected Area of the Monti Picentini is then formulated

Comparing active and passive Bonner Sphere Spectrometers in the 2.5 MeV quasi mono-energetic neutron field of the ENEA Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG)

Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) equipped with passive detectors are used to replace active BSS in radiation environment characterized by high fluence rate, large photon background and pulsed time structure as those encountered near particle accelerators. In this work a newly developed passive Bonner Sphere Spectrometer, using Dysprosium activation foils as central detectors (Dy-BSS), was tested through comparison with a well-established active BSS. As a suitable neutron field, where both systems can correctly operate, the 2.5 MeV quasi mono-energetic beam of the ENEA Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) was chosen. The two spectrometers are based on substantially different operation principles, therefore their response matrix are very different. In addition, the BSS are independently calibrated in different reference neutron fields. The exercise took place at 90 � and at a fixed distance from the neutron emitting deuterated target. As reference data, the results obtained by unfolding the active BSS data were used. The FRUIT unfolding code, ver. 5 was used. The results of the Dy-BSS are fully comparable with those of the active BSS, in terms of both total fluence and shape of the neutron spectra. For the energy range studied in this exercise, the expected level of accuracy of the Dy-BSS and its suitability for operational neutron monitoring are fully confirmed

Understanding knowledge translation in university–industry research projects: a case analysis in the automotive sector

Purpose – In this paper, we depart from extant conceptualisations of knowledge translation mechanisms to examine projects as a way to achieve effective knowledge transfer. Our empirical analysis focused on a university–industry research project in the automotive industry. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical analysis was based on a qualitative investigation. We analysed material collected within a research project involving a partnership between two universities and Fiat-Chrysler Automotive (FCA), a multi-brand auto manufacturer with a product range covering several different market segments. We used three data collection techniques: internal document analysis, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Findings – Our findings show that, in a U-I research project, goals represent a key dimension to support knowledge translation. Defining the goal implies an ongoing negotiation process, where researchers and company employees work together, in order to converge towards a shared meaning of the goal. In this sense, goal orientation and goal-based interaction have significant implications for knowledge translation processes

Blood pressure and cardiac autonomic nervous system in obese type 2 diabetic patients: Effect of metformin administration

Background: Hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance and elevated plasma free fatty acids (FFA) levels are involved in the hypertension and cardiac sympathetic overactivity. Metformin improves insulin action and lower plasma FFA concentrations. We investigate the possible effect of metformin on arterial blood pressure (BP) and cardiac sympathetic nervous system. Methods: One hundred twenty overweight type 2 diabetic patients were treated by placebo (n = 60) + diet or metformin (850 mg twice daily) (n = 60) + diet for 4 months, to evaluate the effect of metformin treatment on the cardiac autonomic nervous system. Insulin resistance was measured by the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index. Heart rate variability (HRV) assessed cardiac sympathovagal balance. Results: Metformin treatment, but not placebo treatment, was associated with a decrease in fasting plasma glucose (P < .05), insulin (P < .05), triglyceride (P < .05), and FFA (P < .03) concentrations and HOMA index (P < .03). Metformin treatment was also associated with a significant improvement in cardiac sympathovagal balance but not in mean arterial BP. Furthermore, in a multivariate analysis, delta change in sympathovagal balance index (LF/HF ratio) were associated with delta change in plasma FFA concentrations and HOMA index independently of gender and delta change in plasma triglyceride and HbA1c concentrations. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that metformin treatment might be useful for improving cardiac sympathovagal balance in obese type 2 diabetic patients