31,161 research outputs found
Recurrent pregnancy loss is associated with a pro-senescent decidual response during the peri-implantation window
During the implantation window, the endometrium becomes poised to transition to a pregnant state, a process driven by differentiation of stromal cells into decidual cells (DC). Perturbations in this process, termed decidualization, leads to breakdown of the feto-maternal interface and miscarriage, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we reconstructed the decidual pathway at single-cell level in vitro and demonstrate that stromal cells first mount an acute stress response before emerging as DC or senescent DC (snDC). In the absence of immune cell-mediated clearance of snDC, secondary senescence transforms DC into progesterone-resistant cells that abundantly express extracellular matrix remodelling factors. Additional single-cell analysis of midluteal endometrium identified DIO2 and SCARA5 as marker genes of a diverging decidual response in vivo. Finally, we report a conspicuous link between a pro-senescent decidual response in peri-implantation endometrium and recurrent pregnancy loss, suggesting that pre-pregnancy screening and intervention may reduce the burden of miscarriage
Traffic congestion in interconnected complex networks
Traffic congestion in isolated complex networks has been investigated
extensively over the last decade. Coupled network models have recently been
developed to facilitate further understanding of real complex systems. Analysis
of traffic congestion in coupled complex networks, however, is still relatively
unexplored. In this paper, we try to explore the effect of interconnections on
traffic congestion in interconnected BA scale-free networks. We find that
assortative coupling can alleviate traffic congestion more readily than
disassortative and random coupling when the node processing capacity is
allocated based on node usage probability. Furthermore, the optimal coupling
probability can be found for assortative coupling. However, three types of
coupling preferences achieve similar traffic performance if all nodes share the
same processing capacity. We analyze interconnected Internet AS-level graphs of
South Korea and Japan and obtain similar results. Some practical suggestions
are presented to optimize such real-world interconnected networks accordingly.Comment: 8 page
Epidemics in partially overlapped multiplex networks
Many real networks exhibit a layered structure in which links in each layer
reflect the function of nodes on different environments. These multiple types
of links are usually represented by a multiplex network in which each layer has
a different topology. In real-world networks, however, not all nodes are
present on every layer. To generate a more realistic scenario, we use a
generalized multiplex network and assume that only a fraction of the nodes
are shared by the layers. We develop a theoretical framework for a branching
process to describe the spread of an epidemic on these partially overlapped
multiplex networks. This allows us to obtain the fraction of infected
individuals as a function of the effective probability that the disease will be
transmitted . We also theoretically determine the dependence of the epidemic
threshold on the fraction of shared nodes in a system composed of two
layers. We find that in the limit of the threshold is dominated by
the layer with the smaller isolated threshold. Although a system of two
completely isolated networks is nearly indistinguishable from a system of two
networks that share just a few nodes, we find that the presence of these few
shared nodes causes the epidemic threshold of the isolated network with the
lower propagating capacity to change discontinuously and to acquire the
threshold of the other network.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure
System data communication structures for active-control transport aircraft, volume 2
The application of communication structures to advanced transport aircraft are addressed. First, a set of avionic functional requirements is established, and a baseline set of avionics equipment is defined that will meet the requirements. Three alternative configurations for this equipment are then identified that represent the evolution toward more dispersed systems. Candidate communication structures are proposed for each system configuration, and these are compared using trade off analyses; these analyses emphasize reliability but also address complexity. Multiplex buses are recognized as the likely near term choice with mesh networks being desirable for advanced, highly dispersed systems
Epidemic model with isolation in multilayer networks
The Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model has successfully mimicked the propagation of such airborne diseases as influenza A (H1N1). Although the SIR model has recently been studied in a multilayer networks configuration, in almost all the research the isolation of infected individuals is disregarded. Hence we focus our study in an epidemic model in a two-layer network and we use an isolation parameter w to measure the effect of quarantining infected individuals from both layers during an isolation period tw. We call this process the Susceptible-Infected-Isolated-Recovered (SIIR) model. Using the framework of link percolation we find that isolation increases the critical epidemic threshold of the disease because the time in which infection can spread is reduced. In this scenario we find that this threshold increases with w and tw. When the isolation period is maximum there is a critical threshold for w above which the disease never becomes an epidemic. We simulate the process and find an excellent agreement with the theoretical results.We thank the NSF (grants CMMI 1125290 and CHE-1213217) and the Keck Foundation for financial support. LGAZ and LAB wish to thank to UNMdP and FONCyT (Pict 0429/2013) for financial support. (CMMI 1125290 - NSF; CHE-1213217 - NSF; Keck Foundation; UNMdP; Pict 0429/2013 - FONCyT)Published versio
Coordination structures
We study a coordination problem where agents act sequentially. Agents are embedded in an observation network that allows them to observe the actions of their neighbors. We find that coordination failures do not occur if there exists a sufficiently large clique. Its existence is necessary and sufficient when agents are homogenous and sufficient when agents differ and their types are private. Other structures guarantee coordination when agents decide in some particular sequences or for particular payoffs. The coordination problem embodied in our game is applied to the problems of revolts and bank runs.social networks; coordination failures; multiple equilibria; revolts; bank runs
Epidemic Model with Isolation in Multilayer Networks
The Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model has successfully mimicked the
propagation of such airborne diseases as influenza A (H1N1). Although the SIR
model has recently been studied in a multilayer networks configuration, in
almost all the research the isolation of infected individuals is disregarded.
Hence we focus our study in an epidemic model in a two-layer network, and we
use an isolation parameter to measure the effect of isolating infected
individuals from both layers during an isolation period. We call this process
the Susceptible-Infected-Isolated-Recovered () model. The isolation
reduces the transmission of the disease because the time in which infection can
spread is reduced. In this scenario we find that the epidemic threshold
increases with the isolation period and the isolation parameter. When the
isolation period is maximum there is a threshold for the isolation parameter
above which the disease never becomes an epidemic. We also find that epidemic
models, like overestimate the theoretical risk of infection. Finally, our
model may provide a foundation for future research to study the temporal
evolution of the disease calibrating our model with real data.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures.Accepted in Scientific Report
Parallel processing in immune networks
In this work we adopt a statistical mechanics approach to investigate basic,
systemic features exhibited by adaptive immune systems. The lymphocyte network
made by B-cells and T-cells is modeled by a bipartite spin-glass, where,
following biological prescriptions, links connecting B-cells and T-cells are
sparse. Interestingly, the dilution performed on links is shown to make the
system able to orchestrate parallel strategies to fight several pathogens at
the same time; this multitasking capability constitutes a remarkable, key
property of immune systems as multiple antigens are always present within the
host. We also define the stochastic process ruling the temporal evolution of
lymphocyte activity, and show its relaxation toward an equilibrium measure
allowing statistical mechanics investigations. Analytical results are compared
with Monte Carlo simulations and signal-to-noise outcomes showing overall
excellent agreement. Finally, within our model, a rationale for the
experimentally well-evidenced correlation between lymphocytosis and
autoimmunity is achieved; this sheds further light on the systemic features
exhibited by immune networks.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures; to appear in Phys. Rev.
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