Uncovering Hierarchical Structure in Social Networks using Isospectral Reductions

We employ the recently developed theory of isospectral network reductions to analyze multi-mode social networks. This procedure allows us to uncover the hierarchical structure of the networks we consider as well as the hierarchical structure of each mode of the network. Additionally, by performing a dynamical analysis of these networks we are able to analyze the evolution of their structure allowing us to find a number of other network features. We apply both of these approaches to the Southern Women Data Set, one of the most studied social networks and demonstrate that these techniques provide new information, which complements previous findings.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, 5 table

A CMMI-based approach for medical software project life cycle study

In terms of medical techniques, Taiwan has gained international recognition in recent years. However, the medical information system industry in Taiwan is still at a developing stage compared with the software industries in other nations. In addition, systematic development processes are indispensable elements of software development. They can help developers increase their productivity and efficiency and also avoid unnecessary risks arising during the development process. Thus, this paper presents an application of Light-Weight Capability Maturity Model Integration (LW-CMMI) to Chang Gung Medical Research Project (CMRP) in the Nuclear medicine field. This application was intended to integrate user requirements, system design and testing of software development processes into three layers (Domain, Concept and Instance) model. Then, expressing in structural System Modeling Language (SysML) diagrams and converts part of the manual effort necessary for project management maintenance into computational effort, for example: (semi-) automatic delivery of traceability management. In this application, it supports establishing artifacts of “requirement specification document”, “project execution plan document”, “system design document” and “system test document”, and can deliver a prototype of lightweight project management tool on the Nuclear Medicine software project. The results of this application can be a reference for other medical institutions in developing medical information systems and support of project management to achieve the aim of patient safety. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2193-1801-2-266) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Analysis of discrete reaction-diffusion equations for autocatalysis and continuum diffusion equations for transport

We analyze both the spatiotemporal behavior of non-linear reaction models utilizing reaction-diffusion equations, and spatial transport problems on surfaces and in nanopores utilizing the relevant diffusion or Fokker-Planck equations. The non-linear reaction models involve spatial discrete systems where particles reside at the sites of a periodic lattice: particles, X, spontaneously annihilate (X-\u3eO) at a specified rate p, and are autocatalytically created given the presence of nearby pairs of particles (O+2X-\u3e3X) at rates depending on the local configuration. [This reaction model is equivalent to a spatial epidemic model where sick individuals spontaneously recover (S-\u3eH), and healthy individuals are infected by pairs of sick neighbors (H+2S-\u3e3S).] The model exhibits a non-equilibrium phase-transition from a populated state to a vacuum state (with no particles) with increasing p. Near this transition, one can consider the propagation of interfaces separating the two states. Planar interfaces exhibit an orientation-dependence (leading to so-called generic two-phase coexistence), and curved interfaces enclosing droplets exhibit even richer behavior. These phenomena are analyzed utilizing the appropriate set of discrete reaction-diffusion equations (corresponding to lattice differential equations). Diffusive transport of particles between islands or clusters of particles on a surface leads to coarsening of island arrays which can be analyzed by solution of an appropriate boundary value problem for the surface diffusion equation. We extend previous treatments to strongly anisotropic systems. Diffusion and passing of pairs of overdamped Langevin molecules in narrow nanopores can be described by the appropriate Fokker-Planck equations (corresponding to a high-dimensional diffusion equation). We provide the first analysis of this problem focusing on a characterization of the propensity of passing as a function of pore diameter

Taiwan Oscillation Network

The Taiwan Oscillation Network (TON) is a ground-based network to measure solar intensity oscillations to study the internal structure of the Sun. K-line full-disk images of 1000 pixels diameter are taken at a rate of one image per minute. Such data would provide information onp-modes withl as high as 1000. The TON will consist of six identical telescope systems at proper longitudes around the world. Three telescope systems have been installed at Teide Observatory (Tenerife), Huairou Solar Observing Station (near Beijing), and Big Bear Solar Observatory (California). The telescopes at these three sites have been taking data simultaneously since October of 1994. Anl – v diagram derived from 512 images is included to show the quality of the data

翡翠水庫蓄水範圍保護帶設置對水庫水質改善影響

翡翠水庫係為大臺北地區民生用水重要來源，其污染來源以非點源污染為主。保護帶設置為非點源污染最佳管理作業 (BMP)，也是目前翡翠水庫管理策略之一。本研究應用地理資訊系統 (GIS) 以及暴雨管理模式 (SWMM)，模擬保護帶 (Buffer Strips) 設置後對翡翠水庫集水區非點源污染削減量，模擬水質項目包含懸浮固體 (SS)、總磷 (TP) 及生化需氧量 (BOD)。研究結果顯示，在蓄水範圍四周設置50 公尺保護帶時，設置保護帶的子集水區SS 輸出削減率超過80%，TP 削減率超過50%，BOD 削減率達到70%。另外利用Vollenweider 模式模擬保護帶設置對水庫水質影響，此總磷削減率最高可達6.1%。若以水庫總磷濃度10μg/L為目標值，則集水區總磷污染量尚需削減19.0%~22.2%。設置50 公尺保護帶可削減總磷每年約800 公斤，佔目標削減量1/3~1/4。除了設置保護帶外，尚需透過其他非點源污染控制措施才能達到此削減量。The Feitsui reservoir is the drinking water source for the Taipei metropolis, and nonpoint source pollution in this reservoir has been considered as an important issue. Buffer Strips are one of the best management practices (BMPs) and are used in Feitsui reservoir management. In this study, we integrate geographic information systems (GIS) and Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) to assess the effects of buffer strips in Feitsui reservoir. The major water quality items contain suspended solids (SS), total phosphorus (TP) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The results show placing buffer strips 50 m in width around the reservoir can reduce 80% of SS, 50% of TP, and 70% of COD for the subwatersheds with buffer strips. In addition, the Vollenweider model is utilized to assess water quality in the reservoir and the results show that a 19-22% pollution reduction rate is required to achieve the goal of 10μg/L of TP. Buffer strips 50m in width contributed 1/3-1/4 reduction loads, which is 800 kgTP/yr. In addition to buffer strips, more BMPs are necessary in the watershed management of Feitsui reservoir

Konsep Demokrasi Politik Dalam Islam

Coexistence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with asthma appears to impair asthma control. Type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) respond to the cytokines of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-25 and IL-33, thus contributing to airway diseases such as CRS and asthma. We investigate whether the augmented Th2-cytokines in CRS might be related to sinonasal tract ILC2s corresponding to enhanced IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP release in severe asthmatics, and be involved in asthma control. Twenty-eight asthmatics (12 non-severe and 16 severe) with CRS receiving nasal surgery were enrolled. The predicted FEV1 inversely associated with CRS severity of CT or endoscopy scores. Higher expression of Th2-driven cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13), TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 in nasal tissues was observed in severe asthma. Severe asthmatics had higher ILC2 cell counts in their nasal tissues. ILC2 counts were positively correlated with Th2-cytokines. Nasal surgery significantly improved asthma control and lung function decline in severe asthma and CRS. The higher expression of IL-33/ILC2 axis-directed type 2 immune responses in nasal tissue of CRS brought the greater decline of lung function in severe asthma. ILC2-induced the upregulated activity of Th2-related cytokines in asthmatics with CRS may contribute to a recalcitrant status of asthma control