Approximating Spectral Impact of Structural Perturbations in Large Networks

Determining the effect of structural perturbations on the eigenvalue spectra of networks is an important problem because the spectra characterize not only their topological structures, but also their dynamical behavior, such as synchronization and cascading processes on networks. Here we develop a theory for estimating the change of the largest eigenvalue of the adjacency matrix or the extreme eigenvalues of the graph Laplacian when small but arbitrary set of links are added or removed from the network. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approximation schemes using both real and artificial networks, showing in particular that we can accurately obtain the spectral ranking of small subgraphs. We also propose a local iterative scheme which computes the relative ranking of a subgraph using only the connectivity information of its neighbors within a few links. Our results may not only contribute to our theoretical understanding of dynamical processes on networks, but also lead to practical applications in ranking subgraphs of real complex networks.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Archaeological excavations at Uchi Maius (Teboursouk, Bèja, Tunisia)

Since 1995 a joint Italian Tunisian mission has been conducting archaeological investigations at the site of Uchi Maius, an ancient Roman colony about a hundred kilometres to the south-west of Tunis in a hilly area in the south of the plain of Medjerda, in the governorship of Beja. This research was initiated within an Italo-Tunisian agreement stipulated between the l'Institut National du Patrimoine and the University of Sassari, under the joint direction of M. Khanoussi and A. Mastino. After the first years of investigation, the research has concentrated on understanding the stratigraphic and settlement sequence in the forum and citadel areas with notable results concerning the late antique and medieval phases

A Metallurgical Inspection Method to Assess the Damage in Performance-Limiting Nb3Sn Accelerator Magnet Coils

The design and production of Nb3Sn-based dipole and quadrupole magnets is critical for the realization of the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Nb3Sn superconducting coils are aimed at enhancing the bending and focusing strengths of accelerator magnets for HL-LHC and beyond. Due to the brittle nature of Nb3Sn, the coil fabrication steps are very challenging and require very careful QA/QC. Flaws in the Nb3Sn filaments may lead to quenches, and eventually, performance limitation below nominal during magnet testing. A novel inspection method, including advanced non-destructive and destructive techniques, was developed to explore the root-causes of quenches occurring in performance-limiting coils. The most relevant results obtained for MQXF coils through this innovative inspection method are presented. This approach allows for precise assessment of the physical events associated to the quenches experienced b y magnet coils, mainly occurring under the form of damaged strands with transversely broken sub-elements. Coil-slice preparation, micro-optical observations of transverse and longitudinal cross-sections, and a deep etching technique of copper will be illustrated in the present work, with a focus on the results achieved for a CERN coil from a non-conforming quadrupole magnet prototype, and two coils fabricated in the US, in the framework of the Accelerator Upgrade Project (AUP) collaboration, from two different non-conforming quadrupole magnets, respectively. The results obtained through the proposed inspection method will be illustrated.Comment: Applied Superconductivity Conference 202

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Efficient twin aperture magnets for the future circular e+/e−e^+/e^- collider

We report preliminary designs for the arc dipoles and quadrupoles of the FCC-ee double-ring collider. After recalling cross sections and parameters of warm magnets used in previous large accelerators, we focus on twin aperture layouts, with a magnetic coupling between the gaps, which minimizes construction cost and reduces the electrical power required for operation. We also indicate how the designs presented may be further optimized so as to optimally address any further constraints related to beam physics, vacuum system, and electric power consumption

Twin Aperture Bending Magnets and Quadrupoles for FCC-ee

We describe concepts of resistive magnets for FCC-ee, a large lepton collider being considered at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland. The main peculiarity is the twin aperture geometry, which is exploited-for both dipoles and quadrupoles-to generate field in the two apertures in a coupled way, resulting in a 50% power saving with respect to separate units. This paper reports the cross-sections of the magnets together with their main parameters. Short prototypes are being built at the moment and they are briefly described as well

Magnetic Measurements of the First Short Models of Twin Aperture Magnets for FCC-ee

We report on the results of magnetic measurements of the first short models of twin aperture magnets for the FCC-ee arcs. To date, we have built and tested three 1-m long bending magnets, using different materials for the ferromagnetic yoke and a 1-turn vs. a multi-turn excitation. Besides the interest in checking the unusual I-layout, the focus is also on the behavior at low field, down to about 15 mT in the gap, and its impact on field quality (in particular, on the gradient term). In parallel, we have also built a 1-m long quadrupole model, to test the peculiar twin configuration and assess the multipole field errors as a function of the excitation current, checking especially the dipole and sextupole terms. The results presented can be the basis of further developments for this kind of magnets

Main changes to LHC layout for reuse as FCC-hh High Energy Booster

Reuse of the LHC is one option being investigated for a High Energy Booster for injection of 3.3 TeV protons (and heavy ions at equivalent rigidity) into the proposed 100 TeV centre of mass FCC-hh collider. In this note the major changes required to the LHC layout are listed, assuming beam transfer to the FCC collider is required from both LHC Points 1 and 8