108 research outputs found
L’esperienza del corso di formazione sul Liceo Matematico: il caso del linguaggio ed epistemologia delle scienze umane e natural
Transmission of visual data over wireless fading channel in real-time systems based on superposition coding scheme
Real-time visual applications are among the most important requirements in the next generation wireless communication systems. In these applications, the transmitted data comprise different layers with different importance levels based on their influence on the reception quality. Furthermore, the real-time transmission nature of these applications makes them sensitive to data losses and transmission delay. To address these issues, an efficient superposition adaptive modulation and coding system, for the optimal system performance, is proposed in this paper. The proposed system switches its modulation and coding scheme adaptively to select the suitable modulation order and coding rate that best match with the instantaneous channel condition. The channel state information is estimated in receiver and fed back to transmitter. In such method, better performances in both data rate and bit error rate (BER) can be attained. Here, the source data are divided into different priority layers with different importance. Each layer bit stream is sent with specific error protection level against channel corruption. The highest error protection level is assigned to the highest priority layer, and vice versa. The modulated bit streams of all layers are then superimposed together and transmitted via Rayleigh fading channel. At the receiver side, a specific multi-stage decoding receiver is used to reconstruct the source data which demodulates the layers in the order of their priorities. Simulation results show that the proposed system provides up to 18 dB SNR and 46 % data rate gains, respectively, compared to the traditional BPSK scheme at BER of 10−4
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
Characterization method of dielectric properties of free falling drops in a microwave processing cavity and its application in microwave internal gelation
[EN] Microwave internal gelation (MIG) is a chemical process proposed for the production of nuclear particle fuel. The internal gelation reaction is triggered by a temperature increase of aqueous droplets falling by gravity by means of non-contact microwave heating. Due to the short residence time of a solution droplet in a microwave heating cavity, a detailed knowledge of the interaction between microwaves and chemical solution (shaped in small drops) is required. This paper describes a procedure that enables the measurement of the dielectric properties of aqueous droplets that freely fall through a microwave cavity. These measurements provide the information to determine the optimal values of the parameters (such as frequency and power) that dictate the heating of such a material under microwaves.This work is a part of the PINE (Platform for Innovative Nuclear FuEls) project which targets the development of an advanced production method for Sphere-Pac fuel and is financed by the Swiss Competence Center for Energy and Mobility. The work has been also financed by the European Commission through contract no 295664 regarding the FP7 PELGRIMM Project, as well as contract no 295825 regarding the FP7-ASGARD Project. MC-S would like to thank the ITACA research team (UPV Valencia, Spain) and the EMPA Thun (Switzerland) for their support in the measurements and Carl Beard (PSI, Switzerland) for the help provided in respect with CST simulations. The work of FLP-F was supported by the Conselleria d'Educacio of the Generalitat Valenciana for economic support (BEST/2012/010).Cabanes Sempere, M.; Catalá Civera, JM.; Penaranda-Foix, FL.; Cozzo, C.; Vaucher, S.; Pouchon, MA. (2013). Characterization method of dielectric properties of free falling drops in a microwave processing cavity and its application in microwave internal gelation. Measurement Science and Technology. 24(9). https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/24/9/095009S24
The physics of spreading processes in multilayer networks
The study of networks plays a crucial role in investigating the structure,
dynamics, and function of a wide variety of complex systems in myriad
disciplines. Despite the success of traditional network analysis, standard
networks provide a limited representation of complex systems, which often
include different types of relationships (i.e., "multiplexity") among their
constituent components and/or multiple interacting subsystems. Such structural
complexity has a significant effect on both dynamics and function. Throwing
away or aggregating available structural information can generate misleading
results and be a major obstacle towards attempts to understand complex systems.
The recent "multilayer" approach for modeling networked systems explicitly
allows the incorporation of multiplexity and other features of realistic
systems. On one hand, it allows one to couple different structural
relationships by encoding them in a convenient mathematical object. On the
other hand, it also allows one to couple different dynamical processes on top
of such interconnected structures. The resulting framework plays a crucial role
in helping achieve a thorough, accurate understanding of complex systems. The
study of multilayer networks has also revealed new physical phenomena that
remain hidden when using ordinary graphs, the traditional network
representation. Here we survey progress towards attaining a deeper
understanding of spreading processes on multilayer networks, and we highlight
some of the physical phenomena related to spreading processes that emerge from
multilayer structure.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figure
Metabolic reprogramming through fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1) regulates macrophage inflammatory potential and adipose inflammation
OBJECTIVE: A novel approach to regulate obesity-associated adipose inflammation may be through metabolic reprogramming of macrophages (MΦs). Broadly speaking, MΦs dependent on glucose are pro-inflammatory, classically activated MΦs (CAM), which contribute to adipose inflammation and insulin resistance. In contrast, MΦs that primarily metabolize fatty acids are alternatively activated MΦs (AAM) and maintain tissue insulin sensitivity. In actuality, there is much flexibility and overlap in the CAM-AAM spectrum in vivo dependent upon various stimuli in the microenvironment. We hypothesized that specific lipid trafficking proteins, e.g. fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1), would direct MΦ fatty acid transport and metabolism to limit inflammation and contribute to the maintenance of adipose tissue homeostasis.
METHODS: Bone marrow derived MΦs (BMDMs) from Fatp1 (-/-) and Fatp1 (+/+) mice were used to investigate FATP1-dependent substrate metabolism, bioenergetics, metabolomics, and inflammatory responses. We also generated C57BL/6J chimeric mice by bone marrow transplant specifically lacking hematopoetic FATP1 (Fatp1 (B-/-)) and controls Fatp1 (B+/+). Mice were challenged by high fat diet (HFD) or low fat diet (LFD) and analyses including MRI, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, flow cytometric, histologic, and protein quantification assays were conducted. Finally, an FATP1-overexpressing RAW 264.7 MΦ cell line (FATP1-OE) and empty vector control (FATP1-EV) were developed as a gain of function model to test effects on substrate metabolism, bioenergetics, metabolomics, and inflammatory responses.
RESULTS: Fatp1 is downregulated with pro-inflammatory stimulation of MΦs. Fatp1 (-/-) BMDMs and FATP1-OE RAW 264.7 MΦs demonstrated that FATP1 reciprocally controled metabolic flexibility, i.e. lipid and glucose metabolism, which was associated with inflammatory response. Supporting our previous work demonstrating the positive relationship between glucose metabolism and inflammation, loss of FATP1 enhanced glucose metabolism and exaggerated the pro-inflammatory CAM phenotype. Fatp1 (B-/-) chimeras fed a HFD gained more epididymal white adipose mass, which was inflamed and oxidatively stressed, compared to HFD-fed Fatp1 (B+/+) controls. Adipose tissue macrophages displayed a CAM-like phenotype in the absence of Fatp1. Conversely, functional overexpression of FATP1 decreased many aspects of glucose metabolism and diminished CAM-stimulated inflammation in vitro. FATP1 displayed acyl-CoA synthetase activity for long chain fatty acids in MΦs and modulated lipid mediator metabolism in MΦs.
CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence that FATP1 is a novel regulator of MΦ activation through control of substrate metabolism. Absence of FATP1 exacerbated pro-inflammatory activation in vitro and increased local and systemic components of the metabolic syndrome in HFD-fed Fatp1 (B-/-) mice. In contrast, gain of FATP1 activity in MΦs suggested that Fatp1-mediated activation of fatty acids, substrate switch to glucose, oxidative stress, and lipid mediator synthesis are potential mechanisms. We demonstrate for the first time that FATP1 provides a unique mechanism by which the inflammatory tone of adipose and systemic metabolism may be regulated
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Recursive least squares semi-blind beamforming for MIMO using decision directed adaptation and constant modulus criterion
A new semi-blind adaptive beamforming scheme is proposed for multi-input multi-output (MIMO) induced and space-
division multiple-access based wireless systems that employ high order phase shift keying signaling. A minimum number of training
symbols, very close to the number of receiver antenna elements, are used to provide a rough initial least squares estimate of the
beamformer0s weight vector. A novel cost function combining the constant modulus criterion with decision-directed adaptation is
adopted to adapt the beamformer weight vector. This cost function can be approximated as a quadratic form with a closed-form
solution, based on which we then derive the recursive least squares (RLS) semi-blind adaptive beamforming algorithm. This semi-blind
adaptive beamforming scheme is capable of converging fast to the minimum mean-square-error beamforming solution, as demonstrated
in our simulation study. Our proposed semi-blind RLS beamforming algorithm therefore provides an e±cient detection scheme for the
future generation of MIMO aided mobile communication systems
Opinion formation in multiplex networks with general initial distributions
We study opinion dynamics over multiplex networks where agents interact with bounded confidence. Namely, two neighbouring individuals exchange opinions and compromise if their opinions do not differ by more than a given threshold. In literature, agents are generally assumed to have a homogeneous confidence bound. Here, we study analytically and numerically opinion evolution over structured networks characterised by multiple layers with respective confidence thresholds and general initial opinion distributions. Through rigorous probability analysis, we show analytically the critical thresholds at which a phase transition takes place in the long-term consensus behaviour, over multiplex networks with some regularity conditions. Our results reveal the quantitative relation between the critical threshold and initial distribution. Further, our numerical simulations illustrate the consensus behaviour of the agents in network topologies including lattices and, small-world and scale-free networks, as well as for structure-dependent convergence parameters accommodating node heterogeneity. We find that the critical thresholds for consensus tend to agree with the predicted upper bounds in Theorems 4 and 5 in this paper. Finally, our results indicate that multiplexity hinders consensus formation when the initial opinion configuration is within a bounded range and, provide insight into information diffusion and social dynamics in multiplex systems modeled by networks
Interleukin-7 Influences FOXP3+CD4+ Regulatory T Cells Peripheral Homeostasis
Mechanisms governing peripheral CD4+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) survival and homeostasis are multiple suggesting tight and complex regulation of regulatory T cells homeostasis. Some specific factors, such as TGF-β, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and B7 costimulatory molecules have been identified as essentials for maintenance of the peripheral Treg compartment. Conversely, Treg dependency upon classical T cell homeostatic factors such as IL-7 is still unclear. In this work, we formally investigated the role of IL-7 in Treg homeostasis in vivo in murine models. We demonstrated that IL-7 availability regulated the size of peripheral Treg cell pool and thus paralleled the impact of IL-7 on conventional T cell pool. Moreover, we showed that IL-7 administration increased Treg cell numbers by inducing thymic-independent Treg peripheral expansion. Importantly the impact of IL-7 on Treg expansion was detected whether conventional T cells were present or absent as IL-7 directly participates to the peripheral expansion of Treg after adoptive transfer into lymphopenic hosts. Our results definitively identify IL-7 as a central factor contributing to Treg peripheral homeostasis, thus reassembling Treg to other T cell subsets in respect of their need for IL-7 for their peripheral maintenance
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