NetEvo: A computational framework for the evolution of dynamical complex networks

NetEvo is a computational framework designed to help understand the evolution of dynamical complex networks. It provides flexible tools for the simulation of dynamical processes on networks and methods for the evolution of underlying topological structures. The concept of a supervisor is used to bring together both these aspects in a coherent way. It is the job of the supervisor to rewire the network topology and alter model parameters such that a user specified performance measure is minimised. This performance measure can make use of current topological information and simulated dynamical output from the system. Such an abstraction provides a suitable basis in which to study many outstanding questions related to complex system design and evolution

Pharmacological effects of raas blockade in ischemic nephropathy

Background: The management of ischemic nephropathy due to atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis has become increasingly conservative in the modern era, with current guidelines recommending optimized medical therapy as the initial step. The doubts raised by the recently published trials of revascularization strategies have led to a renewed focus on pharmacological strategies promoting blood pressure control and renal protection. It is essential to further elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying hypoperfusion induced renal microvascular dysfunction with subsequent tissue injury and fibrogenesis. The role of renin angiotensin aldosterone system as a mediator of the main pathophysiological consequences of ischemic nephropathy is well known. However, more recent experimental evidence on the adrenergic system and intrarenal tubular feedback mechanisms has stimulated new interest towards a multi-target therapeutic approach. Methods: This review focuses on the pharmacology of the principle therapeutic drug classes currently used in the treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis with an analysis of their metabolic aspects and use in clinical practice based on evidence from clinical trials. Results and Conclusions: An optimal pharmacologic approach is crucial for a successful prevention of renal injury and cardiovascular events in this high-risk population. Antihypertensive treatment should include renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockade medication not only for their antihypertensive properties, but especially for those cardio and renoprotectiv

Kinematic characteristics of motion in the mirror game

We present the analysis of data collected in the mirror game setting. In our set-up two players are asked to mirror each other movements (with or without a designated leader). First, we study kinematic characteristics of motion of individual players, and next we investigate how they are affected by interactions between the players. Results of the presented analysis will be used to inform the design of interactive virtual players with kinematics based on the similarity principle.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilEuropean Project AlterEgo FP7 ICT 2.9 - Cognitive Sciences and Robotic

Genética Molecular e Citogenética

XXXII Congresso Brasileiro de Zoologia, Foz do Iguaçu, 2018. Tema: Desafios e perspectivas para a Zoologia na América LatinaCaderno de Resumos de Trabalhos da Área temática Genética Molecular e Citogenética, do XXXII Congresso Brasileiro de ZoologiaSociedade Brasileira de Zoologia (SBZ) e Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana (Unila

The COMPLETE Survey of Star-Forming Regions: Phase I Data

We present an overview of data available for the Ophiuchus and Perseus molecular clouds from ``Phase I'' of the COMPLETE Survey of Star-Forming Regions. This survey provides a range of data complementary to the Spitzer Legacy Program ``From Molecular Cores to Planet Forming Disks.'' Phase I includes: Extinction maps derived from 2MASS near-infrared data using the NICER algorithm; extinction and temperature maps derived from IRAS 60 and 100um emission; HI maps of atomic gas; 12CO and 13CO maps of molecular gas; and submillimetre continuum images of emission from dust in dense cores. Not unexpectedly, the morphology of the regions appears quite different depending on the column-density tracer which is used, with IRAS tracing mainly warmer dust and CO being biased by chemical, excitation and optical depth effects. Histograms of column-density distribution are presented, showing that extinction as derived from 2MASS/NICER gives the closest match to a log-normal distribution as is predicted by numerical simulations. All the data presented in this paper, and links to more detailed publications on their implications are publically available at the COMPLETE website.Comment: Accepted by AJ. Full resolution version available from: http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/COMPLETE/papers/complete_phase1.pd

Linear and nonlinear fractional hereditary constitutive laws of asphalt mixtures

The aim of this paper is to propose a fractional viscoelastic and viscoplastic model of asphalt mixtures using experimental data of several tests such as creep and creep recovery performed at different temperatures and at different stress levels. From a best fitting procedure it is shown that both the creep one and recovery curve follow a power law model. It is shown that the suitable model for asphalt mixtures is a dashpot and a fractional element arranged in series. The proposed model is also available outside of the linear domain but in this case the parameters of the model depend on the stress level

Hamilton-Jacobi Tunneling Method for Dynamical Horizons in Different Coordinate Gauges

Previous work on dynamical black hole instability is further elucidated within the Hamilton-Jacobi method for horizon tunneling and the reconstruction of the classical action by means of the null-expansion method. Everything is based on two natural requirements, namely that the tunneling rate is an observable and therefore it must be based on invariantly defined quantities, and that coordinate systems which do not cover the horizon should not be admitted. These simple observations can help to clarify some ambiguities, like the doubling of the temperature occurring in the static case when using singular coordinates, and the role, if any, of the temporal contribution of the action to the emission rate. The formalism is also applied to FRW cosmological models, where it is observed that it predicts the positivity of the temperature naturally, without further assumptions on the sign of the energy.Comment: Standard Latex document, typos corrected, refined discussion of tunneling picture, subsection 5.1 remove

Intracoronary Heparin Delivery in Humans

Background Inefficacy of systemic drug administration for restenosis prevention may partially relate to insufficient local drug concentration. This study aimed to evaluate the acute feasibility and long-term outcome of using an infusion-perfusion coil balloon, Dispatch. Methods and Results In 22 patients after balloon angioplasty, the coil balloon was studied for (1) feasibility of local heparin delivery, (2) symptoms and signs of ischemia during prolonged deployment compared with angioplasty balloon occlusion, (3) coronary pressure and flow distal to the inflated device, and (4) long-term clinical and angiographic results. During prolonged intracoronary deployment of the coil balloon (29±8 minutes), 5 of 22 patients developed mild chest pain versus 20 of 22 during angioplasty (275±283 seconds). Neither hemodynamic nor vectorcardiographic signs of ischemia were detected, in contrast to angioplasty balloon occlusion. Baseline flow across the coil balloon was 44±31 mL/min, increasing by a factor of 1.8±0.7 during pharmacologically induced hyperemia. A mean volume of 14.2±6.1 mL containing 1416±608 IU of heparin was infused locally at a pressure of 122±54 mm Hg. At 7±1-month follow-up, 1 asymptomatic patient had died, and of the remaining 21, 17 (81%) were asymptomatic. Angiographic follow-up was obtained in 15 of 21 patients (71%), including all 4 symptomatic patients. Mean minimal luminal diameter after the procedure was 2.16±0.49 mm and at follow-up, 1.89±0.45 mm, which corresponds to a restenosis rate (diameter stenosis 50%) of 7% (1/15). Conclusions Intracoronary use of the coil balloon after balloon angioplasty proved to be feasible and subjectively as well as objectively well tolerated during prolonged deployment by virtue of its perfusion properties. High volumes of heparin solution can be infused locally at very low pressure. No unfavorable clinical or angiographic long-term effects were observed

The enigmatic core L1451-mm: a first hydrostatic core? or a hidden VeLLO?

We present the detection of a dust continuum source at 3-mm (CARMA) and 1.3-mm (SMA), and 12CO(2-1) emission (SMA) towards the L1451-mm dense core. These detections suggest a compact object and an outflow where no point source at mid-infrared wavelengths is detected using Spitzer. An upper limit for the dense core bolometric luminosity of 0.05 Lsun is obtained. By modeling the broadband SED and the continuum interferometric visibilities simultaneously, we confirm that a central source of heating is needed to explain the observations. This modeling also shows that the data can be well fitted by a dense core with a YSO and disk, or by a dense core with a central First Hydrostatic Core (FHSC). Unfortunately, we are not able to decide between these two models, which produce similar fits. We also detect 12CO(2-1) emission with red- and blue-shifted emission suggesting the presence of a slow and poorly collimated outflow, in opposition to what is usually found towards young stellar objects but in agreement with prediction from simulations of a FHSC. This presents the best candidate, so far, for a FHSC, an object that has been identified in simulations of collapsing dense cores. Whatever the true nature of the central object in L1451-mm, this core presents an excellent laboratory to study the earliest phases of low-mass star formation.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, emulateapj. Accepted by Ap