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Ground motion models (GMMs) are a key component in seismic hazard assessment and in seismic risk analysis. The consideration of both aleatory and epistemic sources of variability may have significant influence on the results and are vital because of their influence on the over- or under-estimation of the final assessment of losses. Recent research has shown that the commonly used framework of weighted logic trees for the choice of GMMs is not necessarily the best suited to account for epistemic uncertainty. Recently, a simple and alternative procedure has been proposed in which a GMM suite is defined with only three representative models (lower, central and upper) derived from available median models. This alternative model is equivalent to the use of multiple models, provided the same range of epistemic uncertainty is sampled. The representative suite approach was applied to the European context for developing a Pan-European GMM for EC8 ground type B and normal or strike slip faulting style for its implementation in risk analysis of critical infrastructures Europe wide, within the framework of the European funded project INFRARISK. The proposed new Pan-European representative GMM is based on the most recent GMMs developed using the common RESORCE strong-motion database of European and Near and Middle East acceleration records. It is shown to perform well when tested against new ground-motion observations from the ESM-Engineering Strong-Motion database and even slightly better than other available GMMs. The procedure is efficient and transparent limiting the sample space to three GMMs and reducing both complexity of the modelling and computational efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel experimental approach of inter- and intramodel comparisons is conducted with five power market models to give recommendations for modelers working on decarbonization pathways of Europe until 2050. The experiments investigate the impact of model type (optimization vs. simulation), planning horizon (intertemporal vs. myopic), temporal resolution (8760 vs. 384 h), and spatial resolution (28 countries vs. 12 mega-regions). The model type fundamentally determines the evolution of capacity expansion. Planning horizon (assumed foresight of firms) plays a minor role for scenarios with high carbon prices. For low carbon prices in turn, results from myopic models deviate considerably from those of intertemporal models. Lower temporal and spatial resolutions foster wind power via storage and via neglected transmission boundaries, respectively. Using simulation instead of optimization frameworks, a shorter planning horizon of firms, or lower temporal and spatial resolutions might be necessary to reduce the computational complexity. This paper delivers recommendations on how to limit the discrepancies in such cases. • Comparison of five power market models with harmonized input data and model features. • Evaluating the role of model type, planning horizon, spatial and temporal resolution. • Model type decisive for investment decisions. • Myopic modeling hardly changes variable renewable energy expansion but might favor conventional power plants. • Spatial and temporal resolution crucial for ease of variable renewable energy integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the combined effect of formal (FSK) and informal (ISK) sources of knowledge on European regional innovation performance. Our findings show that the effect of the two sources of knowledge on innovation performance is not simple and linear. First, both sources of knowledge have an interaction effect on innovation performance (ie, the effect of FSK on regional innovation depends on the level of access to ISK in the region, and vice versa). Second, while the effect of ISK is linear (although different for each region), the effect of the FSK (which is more intensive in monetary, time, effort, and opportunity costs) has a diminishing-returns form, and achieves a saturation point at high levels of use of FSK. Our findings also show that the balanced access to both types of sources is important and that, for instance, regions with limited access to ISK should not expect miraculous effects from high levels of FSK. To the best of our knowledge, no previous research has been reported which has empirically studied the combined effect of both sources of knowledge at a European regional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific and regulatory issues around approval of follow-on protein products, referred to as biosimilars in Europe, have been a topic of great interest and debate recently. The central issue is our limited understanding of how the different quality attributes of a product have an impact on its safety and efficacy. Crucial gaps in our knowledge include a lack of standardization in the way in which data are collected, analyzed and reported, and limitations in the ability of non-clinical tools for predicting clinical safety and efficacy. Complexity of protein products with respect to the numerous quality attributes and complexity of the biotechnology processes and the raw materials add to the challenges. In this paper, recommendations are presented to help at least partially alleviate these challenges. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A classic result known as the speed-up theorem in machine-independent complexity theory shows that there exist some computable functions that do not have best programs for them (Blum in J. ACM 14(2):322–336, and J. ACM 18(2):290–305, ). In this paper we lift this result into type-2 computations. Although the speed-up phenomenon is essentially inherited from type-1 computations, we observe that a direct application of the original proof to our type-2 speed-up theorem is problematic because the oracle queries can interfere with the speed of the programs and hence the cancellation strategy used in the original proof is no longer correct at type-2. We also argue that a type-2 analog of the operator speed-up theorem (Meyer and Fischer in J. Symb. Log. 37:55–68, ) does not hold, which suggests that this curious speed-up phenomenon disappears in higher-typed computations beyond type-2. The result of this paper adds one more piece of evidence to support the general type-2 complexity theory under the framework proposed in Li (Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Theoretical Computer Science, pp. 471–484, and Proceedings of Computability in Europe: Logical Approach to Computational Barriers, pp. 182–192, ) and Li and Royer (On type-2 complexity classes: Preliminary report, pp. 123–138, ) as a reasonable setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increasing number of scientific research projects require access to large-scale computational resources. This is particularly true in the biological field, whether to facilitate the analysis of large high-throughput data sets, or to perform large numbers of complex simulations -- a characteristic of the emerging field of systems biology. Results: In this paper we present a lightweight generic framework for combining disparate computational resources at multiple sites (ranging from local computers and clusters to established national Grid services). A detailed guide describing how to set up the framework is available from the following URL: http://igrid-ext.cryst.bbk.ac.uk/portal_guide/. Conclusion: This approach is particularly (but not exclusively) appropriate for large-scale biology projects with multiple collaborators working at different national or international sites. The framework is relatively easy to set up, hides the complexity of Grid middleware from the user, and provides access to resources through a single, uniform interface. It has been developed as part of the European ImmunoGrid project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]