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The origin of radiotherapy dates back to 1895-immediately after the discovery of X-rays. Since the beginning, efforts were focused on developing ways to improve the accuracy of radiation delivery. Molecular imaging allows the visualization of surrogates of several pathophysiological characteristics of tumor tissue (e.g., proliferation, metabolism, hypoxia, perfusion), allowing tailoring of dose distribution based on the tissue's features and biological patterns within the tumor. A significant improvement in the ability of modern radiotherapy to precisely target tumor while avoiding irradiating normal tissues can be achieved by integrating molecular imaging into an individualized radiation treatment planning. PET data are the most common molecular images used for tumor volume delineation and assessment of pathophysiological characteristics of tissue. The type of radiopharmaceutical used allows visualization and understanding of different pathophysiologic information. The most commonly used among all PET tracers is the 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG). [18F]FDG is currently the mainstay of PET use in radiotherapy. With the aim of identifying specific biological tumor processes and offering valuable information that can assist radiation oncologist to modulate radiotherapy's doses and volumes, several other molecular imaging tracers emerged in the last few years. Non-[18F]FDG tracers commonly used in radiation oncology include [11C]Methionine ([11C]MET) for brain tumors; [18F]FDOPA for brain and neuroendocrine tumors; radiolabeled somatostatin analogs for somatostatin-receptor positive tumors; 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT) and 18F-fluoromisonidazole (18F-FMISO) to identify regions of radiation resistance within the tumor; and [11C]/[18F]Choline, [18F]/68Ga-PSMA, and 18F-Fluciclovine for prostate cancer.

The Modern Movement extended its architectural and urban principles throughout mid-20th century Europe. Low-income housing developments were built with a novelty urban distribution, generating singular areas that are still widespread today in medium and large European cities. These neighbourhoods have suffered several modifications and updates that have changed their urban configuration. Furthermore, most of these housing complexes, which were built without thermal insulation, present social and economic difficulties. Today, with the overheating and the energetic global crisis, they face a serious fuel poverty situation. Authors have already researched passive cooling and how heat mitigation improves the free-running buildings indoor conditions. However, these widespread urban fabrics and how their modifications have improved or worsened their microclimate have not been adequately studied. This research proposes a microclimatic study through a simulation from two scenarios of the same case study, comparing the original urban status with the current one. For this purpose, the ENVI-met microclimate simulation software tool is used. As part of the proposed methodology, model calibration is supported by onsite data recollection. Thermal comfort is evaluated and confronted in both scenarios obtaining outdoor Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET). Through the microclimate simulations it can be analysed that no relevant mitigation effect during the day were achieved by the interventions. Furthermore, on the current scenario a slightly night overheating effect compared with the original one was confirmed. Therefore, it can be concluded that this urban intervention through the years has been inefficient for microclimate comfort.

In order to accurately analyze building energy performance, it is important to take into account the outdoor microclimate. However, this can be challenging when different microclimates affect the same building using existing simulation tools. This study proposes a method to combine a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool for microclimate simulation and a Building Energy Simulation (BES) tool for energy performance analysis within the Grasshopper interface. The method was tested in a case study involving a courtyard, which is a well-known example of microclimate affecting buildings. Results showed that considering the microclimate can significantly alter simulation results, reaching differences of 11% in energy transmitted through exterior wall, and 18% through the windows, the most affected elements, in some rooms. The total energy load of the room generally increased in the upper level of the house and was reduced in the lower level. This study is particularly relevant for practitioners in Spain, where the BES software used is required by the government for energy certification of buildings.

The essay illustrates the original contributions of Chinese anthropology and ethnology, developed in a critical dialogue with the main international traditions. It considers how the increasingly authoritative Chinese disciplinary perspectives concur to expand the scientific horizons, beyond obsolete hegemonies. The text is the product of the author’s dialogue and collaboration with some of the leading Chinese scholars. It constitutes an introduction to the study of Chinese anthropology and ethnology that the scientific community has not yet considered with due attention.

The chapter explores how, from its inception, British anthropology has succeeded in collecting and synthesising theoretical contributions from various “elsewhere”. The British Empire and, subsequently, the United Kingdom have often operated as a point of encounter among anthropologists, forging connections between their various biographical trajectories and theoretical approaches in a way that transcends the boundaries of the British national tradition to foster long-term dialogues with disciplinary currents in both the former colonies and the rest of Europe. For most of the discipline’s relatively short history, it has often been anthropologists working in the UK to launch the debates that went on to involve scholars from around the world, contributing to identifying both original objects of analysis and innovative methodologies.

Gas power plants are fast-establishing power plants capable of producing reliable energy in high watts volumes. One of its significant features is its dependency on natural air as raw material to run the gas turbine. Air passes through several stages that involve heating the air to increase its pressure before being used in electric power generation. Leakage in gas power stations is considered a vital indication of irregular processes of those stages. Any fault existing in the meanwhile operations can result in lousy production performance. Considering the human and economic losses of gas leakage, it has become a challenge to prevent the same. One of the essential approaches to managing gas leakage reduction is an accurate prediction. This paper proposes an automatic prevention approach relying on deep learning technology for predicting gas leakage status. Furthermore, a novel dataset was supplied by a natural gas power plant to predict CO and NOx emissions. The dataset is used to train the deep learning models using Long-short Term Memory and Feed-Forward Neural Networks. The optimum accuracy obtained is over 92% for CO and over 58% for NOx while using the LSTM model as a predictor.

Gas power plants are fast-establishing power plants capable of producing reliable energy in high watts volumes. One of its significant features is its dependency on natural air as raw material to run the gas turbine. Air passes through several stages that involve heating the air to increase its pressure before being used in electric power generation. Leakage in gas power stations is considered a vital indication of irregular processes of those stages. Any fault existing in the meanwhile operations can result in lousy production performance. Considering the human and economic losses of gas leakage, it has become a challenge to prevent the same. One of the essential approaches to managing gas leakage reduction is an accurate prediction. This paper proposes an automatic prevention approach relying on deep learning technology for predicting gas leakage status. Furthermore, a novel dataset was supplied by a natural gas power plant to predict CO and NOx emissions. The dataset is used to train the deep learning models using Long-short Term Memory and Feed-Forward Neural Networks. The optimum accuracy obtained is over 92% for CO and over 58% for NOx while using the LSTM model as a predictor.

Microglial phagocytosis is an energetically demanding process that plays a critical role in the removal of toxic protein aggregates in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence indicates that a switch in energy production from mitochondrial respiration to glycolysis disrupts this important protective microglial function and may provide therapeutic targets for AD. Here, we demonstrate that the translocator protein (TSPO) and a member of its mitochondrial complex, hexokinase-2 (HK), play critical roles in microglial respiratory-glycolytic metabolism and phagocytosis. Pharmacological and genetic loss-of-function experiments showed that TSPO is critical for microglial respiratory metabolism and energy supply for phagocytosis, and its expression is enriched in phagocytic microglia of AD mice. Meanwhile, HK controlled glycolytic metabolism and phagocytosis via mitochondrial binding or displacement. In cultured microglia, TSPO deletion impaired mitochondrial respiration and increased mitochondrial recruitment of HK, inducing a switch to glycolysis and reducing phagocytosis. To determine the functional significance of mitochondrial HK recruitment, we developed an optogenetic tool for reversible control of HK localization. Displacement of mitochondrial HK inhibited glycolysis and improved phagocytosis in TSPO-knockout microglia. Mitochondrial HK recruitment also coordinated the inflammatory switch to glycolysis that occurs in response to lipopolysaccharide in normal microglia. Interestingly, cytosolic HK increased phagocytosis independent of its metabolic activity, indicating an immune signaling function. Alzheimer's beta amyloid drastically stimulated mitochondrial HK recruitment in cultured microglia, which may contribute to microglial dysfunction in AD. Thus, targeting mitochondrial HK may offer an immunotherapeutic approach to promote phagocytic microglial function in AD.

Hybrid Simulation in the Operational Research (OR) domain can be defined as the combination of two or more of the simulation methods of discrete-event simulation, agent-based simulation and system dynamics. This article examines how this combination might be achieved by reviewing the characteristics of the simulation methods, considering design view options and taking into account software tools for implementation. The purpose is to provide guidance on how hybrid simulation configurations can be designed and implemented.

Hybrid Simulation in the Operational Research (OR) domain can be defined as the combination of two or more of the simulation methods of discrete-event simulation, agent-based simulation and system dynamics. This article examines how this combination might be achieved by reviewing the characteristics of the simulation methods, considering design view options and taking into account software tools for implementation. The purpose is to provide guidance on how hybrid simulation configurations can be designed and implemented.

The objective of the present study is to assess the global sensitivity (using Response Surface Methodology) of chicken meat and cooking medium temperatures during ohmic heating against uncertainties in chicken meat properties (specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity), the concentration of the salt solution, applied voltage, and surrounding air temperature, as well as the heat transfer coefficient to the air. To achieve this, a mechanistic model for ohmic heating of chicken meat in salt solution was developed by coupling heat transfer, laminar fluid flow, and electric field. The numerical solution was carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics® v5.6. The developed model's accuracy was validated by comparing the experimental data obtained at two different voltages (120 and 180V) and salt concentrations (0.2 and 0.4%) of the heating solution. The model predictions were in good agreement with experimental data. According to the results, special care should be given during ohmic heating of meat samples to avoid under-processing that may occur on sample surfaces. From the sensitivity analysis, chicken electrical conductivity, applied voltage, and brine concentration are the main factors affecting the chicken core and surface temperatures, as well as heating rate. On the other hand, properties related to the surrounding air (overall heat transfer coefficient and temperature) had no significant impact on neither chicken temperature nor its heating rate.

Salvo qualche importante eccezione (tra gli altri, Gaillard 1997; Vermeulen, Roldàn 1995), almeno fino agli inizi del XXI secolo le opere che hanno trattato di storia dell’antropologia si sono concentrate quasi esclusivamente sulle tradizioni discipli- nari delle principali potenze vincitrici delle due Guerre Mondiali: Gran Bretagna, Francia e Stati Uniti. Le ragioni sono molte: come è noto, gli sviluppi dell’antropo- logia in altri Paesi occidentali, che pure avevano possedimenti coloniali o li avevano avuti, furono spesso soffocati dall’emergere dei totalitarismi e trovarono un terreno fertile di rinascita solo durante e dopo gli anni Cinquanta del Novecento. Fu poi ne- cessario attendere la decolonizzazione, e talvolta ancora più a lungo, prima di veder istituire cattedre di antropologia nelle università dei Paesi di recente indipendenza, a causa della connotazione fortemente coloniale che la disciplina aveva assunto in questi contesti. Inoltre vanno sottolineate le barriere linguistiche: pochi antropologi anglosassoni o francesi erano in grado di leggere lavori in spagnolo, portoghese, te- desco, italiano o russo e i principali testi antropologici redatti in quelle lingue furono tradotti con grande ritardo (si pensi per esempio ai lavori di de Martino).

The purpose of this study is to investigate the operation of an integrated end-of-life supply chain network in which authorised treatment facilities (ATFs), remanufacturers, and recyclers offer to Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers the end of life (EOL) management of batteries within the UK. A simulation model has been constructed in order to measure the process efficiency, labour costs and transport costs of this reverse supply chain network for different resource (capacity) configurations. Although current demand for the management of the end-of-life (EOL) for the batteries is low there is a prediction of a rapid increase in demand as Electric Vehicle sales increase and the EV batteries within these vehicles reach their end of life. It is intended that the simulation will provide an indication of the potential capacity requirements through the supply chain that are required to deal with this future demand.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the operation of an integrated end-of-life supply chain network in which authorised treatment facilities (ATFs), remanufacturers, and recyclers offer to Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers the end of life (EOL) management of batteries within the UK. A simulation model has been constructed in order to measure the process efficiency, labour costs and transport costs of this reverse supply chain network for different resource (capacity) configurations. Although current demand for the management of the end-of-life (EOL) for the batteries is low there is a prediction of a rapid increase in demand as Electric Vehicle sales increase and the EV batteries within these vehicles reach their end of life. It is intended that the simulation will provide an indication of the potential capacity requirements through the supply chain that are required to deal with this future demand.

Cosa sia una collezione è noto a tutti e tuttavia, se ci interroghiamo su che cosa tenga insieme attività e oggetti molto diversi fra loro sotto il segno della collezione, le cose non sono più tanto chiare: si tratta di pratiche culturali diverse che presentano somiglianze ma anche profonde discontinuità. Collezionare è molto di più che raccogliere e accumu- lare degli oggetti, è una pratica di costruzione del sapere attraverso la quale si dà forma alla realtà, la si rappresenta e la si espone in forma pubblica o privata: è un modo di darsi ragione del mondo, di costruire un microcosmo tra reale e immaginario che ci parla tanto degli altri come di noi. E un pensiero concreto che si fa con le cose. È lo spazio in cui si mette ordine nel mondo o nella propria vita, ma anche un modo per esplorare altre possibilità. È uno dei luoghi in cui gruppi e persone articolano la propria biografia e costruiscono la propria identità e quella degli altri. Partendo dalle ricerche etnografiche svolte in Italia e in Camerun, Ivan Bargna riflette sulle forme contemporanee del “collezionare” nella quotidianità e nell’arte, dai musei alla discarica, dall’accumulazione compulsiva di cose ed esperienze all’arte di disfarsene, dalle cabine armadio delle nostre case ai tesori dei re dei Grassfields camerunesi. Il collezionismo appare così non la mania di persone eccentriche (o una prerogativa esclusiva dell’occidente) ma come indicatore di dinamiche sociali e culturali più ampie, localmente diversificate e attraversate da flussi globali.

The cytokine, GDF15, is produced in pathological states which cause cellular stress, including cancer. When over expressed, it causes dramatic weight reduction, suggesting a role in disease-related anorexia. Here, we demonstrate that the GDF15 receptor, GFRAL, is located in a subset of cholecystokinin neurons which span the area postrema and the nucleus of the tractus solitarius of the mouse. GDF15 activates GFRALAP/NTS neurons and supports conditioned taste and place aversions, while the anorexia it causes can be blocked by a monoclonal antibody directed at GFRAL or by disrupting CCK neuronal signalling. The cancer-therapeutic drug, cisplatin, induces the release of GDF15 and activates GFRALAP/NTS neurons, as well as causing significant reductions in food intake and body weight in mice. These metabolic effects of cisplatin are abolished by pre-treatment with the GFRAL monoclonal antibody. Our results suggest that GFRAL neutralising antibodies or antagonists may provide a co-treatment opportunity for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. PD mostly occurs sporadically and its cause remains unknown, nevertheless the discovery of familiar forms of PD, characterized by mutations of genes encoding proteins associated with mitochondria homeostasis, suggests a strong implication of the mitochondrial quality control system in PD. We investigated the effect of dopamine cytosolic accumulation in undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells, an in vitro model widely used to reproduce impairment of dopamine homeostasis, an early step in PD pathogenesis. A strong depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane was observed after dopamine exposure. Nevertheless, mitochondrial network resulted to assume a peculiar morphology with a distinct pattern of OPA1 and MFN1, key regulators of mitochondrial dynamics. Moreover, selective elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria did not take place, suggesting an impairment of the mitophagic machinery induced by dopamine. Indeed, PINK1 did not accumulate on the outer mitochondrial membrane, nor was parkin recruited to depolarized mitochondria. Altogether, our results indicate that an improper handling of dysfunctional mitochondria may be a leading event in PD pathogenesis.

Nel novembre del 2009, organizzammo, grazie al sostegno della Fondazione Buttitta, un seminario dal titolo: Li vuci di l’omini. Altre storie, storie nostre. Quattro dialoghi per “rappresentare l’esperienza” in letteratura e in etnografia. L’idea del seminario aveva una duplice matrice: da un lato nasceva dalla passione per la letteratura di autori stranieri i cui temi fossero narrazioni, rappresentazioni e visioni sull’alterità, sull’altro da noi, e dunque, dal nostro punto di vista, antropologicamente pertinenti; dall’altro, il seminario nasceva dall’ipotesi che queste narrazioni potessero offrire una sponda interessante cui agganciare una riflessione tutta interna al dibattito antropologico contemporaneo, relativo alla scrittura e al ruolo che essa ha avuto, e ha, nella costruzione complessiva del sapere antropologico.

CRITIS 2017, Item does not contain fulltext

Aims: To investigate the role of Radiation Oncology in the management of genito-urinary (GU) cancer excluding prostate and penile cancer. Methods: The questionnaire was focused on the evaluation of the degree of involvement of radiation oncologists in the work-up of bladder, renal cell carcinoma and testicular cancer (TC). Results: Eighty-eight radiation oncologists completed the survey. The majority (85.4%) of participating radiation oncologists were senior consultants (> 5 years of experience). Sixty-four (73.6%) carried out a multidisciplinary tumor board discussion of GU cases, while 23 (26.4%) did not. Seventy-five percent of responders reported that, every year, visited < 50 GU patients (pts), 18.1% visited 50–100 pts and 6.9% visited > 100 pts. Bladder cancer, curative radiotherapy (RT) as part of trimodality approach was claimed to be adopted in less than 10 cases per year. Regarding renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients, primary tumor directed RT was adopted only in 8 cases (9.4%) in at least 10 pts per year. Palliative RT was more frequent in RCC (48.2%) in over than 10 pts per year. In case of TC, the prescription of RT was limited (< 10 patients per year) due to the low incidence of disease and recent shift to surveillance as a first option in stage I seminoma. Conclusions: Our survey showed that radiation oncologists are rarely involved in the decision making strategy of GU cancer, despite many clinical trials support RT use. These patients probably deserve a more uniform approach based on updated, detailed and evidence-based recommendations.

Urban rail transit systems are highly vulnerable to a variety of disruptions, including accidental failures, natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Due to the crucial role that railway infrastructures play in economic development, productivity and social well-being of communities, evaluating their vulnerability and identifying their most critical components is of paramount importance. Two main approaches can be deployed to assess transport infrastructure vulnerabilities: vulnerability metrics and interdiction models. In this paper, we compare these two approaches and apply them to the Central London Tube to identify the most critical stations with respect to accessibility, efficiency and flow measures.

Urban rail transit systems are highly vulnerable to a variety of disruptions, including accidental failures, natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Due to the crucial role that railway infrastructures play in economic development, productivity and social well-being of communities, evaluating their vulnerability and identifying their most critical components is of paramount importance. Two main approaches can be deployed to assess transport infrastructure vulnerabilities: vulnerability metrics and interdiction models. In this paper, we compare these two approaches and apply them to the Central London Tube to identify the most critical stations with respect to accessibility, efficiency and flow measures.

Contains fulltext : 168138.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) is a neurotransmitter that has an essential role in the regulation of emotion. However, the precise circuits have not yet been defined through which aversive states are orchestrated by 5-HT. Here we show that 5-HT from the dorsal raphe nucleus (5-HTDRN) enhances fear and anxiety and activates a subpopulation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (CRFBNST) in mice. Specifically, 5-HTDRN projections to the BNST, via actions at 5-HT2C receptors (5-HT2CRs), engage a CRFBNST inhibitory microcircuit that silences anxiolytic BNST outputs to the ventral tegmental area and lateral hypothalamus. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this CRFBNST inhibitory circuit underlies aversive behaviour following acute exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This early aversive effect is mediated via the corticotrophin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRF1R, also known as CRHR1), given that CRF1R antagonism is sufficient to prevent acute SSRI-induced enhancements in aversive learning. These results reveal an essential 5-HTDRN-->CRFBNST circuit governing fear and anxiety, and provide a potential mechanistic explanation for the clinical observation of early adverse events to SSRI treatment in some patients with anxiety disorders.

Contains fulltext : 168138.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) is a neurotransmitter that has an essential role in the regulation of emotion. However, the precise circuits have not yet been defined through which aversive states are orchestrated by 5-HT. Here we show that 5-HT from the dorsal raphe nucleus (5-HTDRN) enhances fear and anxiety and activates a subpopulation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (CRFBNST) in mice. Specifically, 5-HTDRN projections to the BNST, via actions at 5-HT2C receptors (5-HT2CRs), engage a CRFBNST inhibitory microcircuit that silences anxiolytic BNST outputs to the ventral tegmental area and lateral hypothalamus. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this CRFBNST inhibitory circuit underlies aversive behaviour following acute exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This early aversive effect is mediated via the corticotrophin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRF1R, also known as CRHR1), given that CRF1R antagonism is sufficient to prevent acute SSRI-induced enhancements in aversive learning. These results reveal an essential 5-HTDRN-->CRFBNST circuit governing fear and anxiety, and provide a potential mechanistic explanation for the clinical observation of early adverse events to SSRI treatment in some patients with anxiety disorders.

Contains fulltext : 168138.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) is a neurotransmitter that has an essential role in the regulation of emotion. However, the precise circuits have not yet been defined through which aversive states are orchestrated by 5-HT. Here we show that 5-HT from the dorsal raphe nucleus (5-HTDRN) enhances fear and anxiety and activates a subpopulation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (CRFBNST) in mice. Specifically, 5-HTDRN projections to the BNST, via actions at 5-HT2C receptors (5-HT2CRs), engage a CRFBNST inhibitory microcircuit that silences anxiolytic BNST outputs to the ventral tegmental area and lateral hypothalamus. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this CRFBNST inhibitory circuit underlies aversive behaviour following acute exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This early aversive effect is mediated via the corticotrophin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRF1R, also known as CRHR1), given that CRF1R antagonism is sufficient to prevent acute SSRI-induced enhancements in aversive learning. These results reveal an essential 5-HTDRN-->CRFBNST circuit governing fear and anxiety, and provide a potential mechanistic explanation for the clinical observation of early adverse events to SSRI treatment in some patients with anxiety disorders.

The algebraic connectivity UN-1, i.e. the second smallest eigenvalue of the Laplacian matrix, plays a crucial role in dynamic phenomena such as diffusion processes, synchronization stability, and network robustness. In this work we study the algebraic connectivity in the general context of interdependent networks, or network-of-networks (NoN). The present work shows, both analytically and numerically, how the algebraic connectivity of NoNs experiences a transition. The transition is characterized by a saturation of the algebraic connectivity upon the addition of suffcient coupling links (between the two individual networks of a NoN). In practical terms, this shows that NoN topologies require only a fraction of coupling links in order to achieve optimal diffusivity. Furthermore, we observe a footprint of the transition on the properties of Fiedler's spectral bisection., Network Architectures & Services (NAS), Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The financial system performs vital functions for the world economy. Very often one of more aspect of this system can be described by means of a complex graph. In this chapter under the generic name of financial networks we indicate several different systems all related to the world of finance.

The algebraic connectivity UN-1, i.e. the second smallest eigenvalue of the Laplacian matrix, plays a crucial role in dynamic phenomena such as diffusion processes, synchronization stability, and network robustness. In this work we study the algebraic connectivity in the general context of interdependent networks, or network-of-networks (NoN). The present work shows, both analytically and numerically, how the algebraic connectivity of NoNs experiences a transition. The transition is characterized by a saturation of the algebraic connectivity upon the addition of suffcient coupling links (between the two individual networks of a NoN). In practical terms, this shows that NoN topologies require only a fraction of coupling links in order to achieve optimal diffusivity. Furthermore, we observe a footprint of the transition on the properties of Fiedler's spectral bisection., Network Architectures & Services (NAS), Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Most real-world networks are not isolated. In order to function fully, they are interconnected with other networks, and this interconnection influences their dynamic processes. For example, when the spread of a disease involves two species, the dynamics of the spread within each species (the contact network) differs from that of the spread between the two species (the interconnected network). We model two generic interconnected networks using two adjacency matrices, A and B, in which A is a 2N×2N matrix that depicts the connectivity within each of two networks of size N, and B a 2N×2N matrix that depicts the interconnections between the two. Using an N-intertwined mean-field approximation, we determine that a critical susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) epidemic threshold in two interconnected networks is 1/?1(A+?B), where the infection rate is ? within each of the two individual networks and ?? in the interconnected links between the two networks and ?1(A+?B) is the largest eigenvalue of the matrix A+?B. In order to determine how the epidemic threshold is dependent upon the structure of interconnected networks, we analytically derive ?1(A+?B) using a perturbation approximation for small and large ?, the lower and upper bound for any ? as a function of the adjacency matrix of the two individual networks, and the interconnections between the two and their largest eigenvalues and eigenvectors. We verify these approximation and boundary values for ?1(A+?B) using numerical simulations, and determine how component network features affect ?1(A+?B). We note that, given two isolated networks G1 and G2 with principal eigenvectors x and y, respectively, ?1(A+?B) tends to be higher when nodes i and j with a higher eigenvector component product xiyj are interconnected. This finding suggests essential insights into ways of designing interconnected networks to be robust against epidemics., Intelligent Systems, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Most real-world networks are not isolated. In order to function fully, they are interconnected with other networks, and this interconnection influences their dynamic processes. For example, when the spread of a disease involves two species, the dynamics of the spread within each species (the contact network) differs from that of the spread between the two species (the interconnected network). We model two generic interconnected networks using two adjacency matrices, A and B, in which A is a 2N×2N matrix that depicts the connectivity within each of two networks of size N, and B a 2N×2N matrix that depicts the interconnections between the two. Using an N-intertwined mean-field approximation, we determine that a critical susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) epidemic threshold in two interconnected networks is 1/?1(A+?B), where the infection rate is ? within each of the two individual networks and ?? in the interconnected links between the two networks and ?1(A+?B) is the largest eigenvalue of the matrix A+?B. In order to determine how the epidemic threshold is dependent upon the structure of interconnected networks, we analytically derive ?1(A+?B) using a perturbation approximation for small and large ?, the lower and upper bound for any ? as a function of the adjacency matrix of the two individual networks, and the interconnections between the two and their largest eigenvalues and eigenvectors. We verify these approximation and boundary values for ?1(A+?B) using numerical simulations, and determine how component network features affect ?1(A+?B). We note that, given two isolated networks G1 and G2 with principal eigenvectors x and y, respectively, ?1(A+?B) tends to be higher when nodes i and j with a higher eigenvector component product xiyj are interconnected. This finding suggests essential insights into ways of designing interconnected networks to be robust against epidemics., Intelligent Systems, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

It is well-known that the synchronization of diffusively-coupled systems on networks strongly depends on the network topology. In particular, the so-called algebraic connectivity $\mu_{N-1}$, or the smallest non-zero eigenvalue of the discrete Laplacian operator plays a crucial role on synchronization, graph partitioning, and network robustness. In our study, synchronization is placed in the general context of networks-of-networks, where single network models are replaced by a more realistic hierarchy of interdependent networks. The present work shows, analytically and numerically, how the algebraic connectivity experiences sharp transitions after the addition of sufficient links among interdependent networks., Comment: 27 pages, 7 figures

The second international comparison of absolute gravimeters was held in Walferdange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in November 2007, in which twenty absolute gravimeters took part. A short description of the data processing and adjustments will be presented here and will be followed by the presentation of the results. Two different methods were applied to estimate the relative offsets between the gravimeters. We show that the results are equivalent as the uncertainties of both adjustments overlap. The absolute gravity meters agree with one another with a standard deviation of 2 μgal (1 gal = 1 cm/s2).

The second international comparison of absolute gravimeters was held in Walferdange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in November 2007, in which twenty absolute gravimeters took part. A short description of the data processing and adjustments will be presented here and will be followed by the presentation of the results. Two different methods were applied to estimate the relative offsets between the gravimeters. We show that the results are equivalent as the uncertainties of both adjustments overlap. The absolute gravity meters agree with one another with a standard deviation of 2 μgal (1 gal = 1 cm/s2).

The second international comparison of absolute gravimeters was held in Walferdange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in November 2007, in which twenty absolute gravimeters took part. A short description of the data processing and adjustments will be presented here and will be followed by the presentation of the results. Two different methods were applied to estimate the relative offsets between the gravimeters. We show that the results are equivalent as the uncertainties of both adjustments overlap. The absolute gravity meters agree with one another with a standard deviation of 2 μgal (1 gal = 1 cm/s2).