The Master Stability Function for Synchronization in Simplicial Complexes

All interesting and fascinating collective properties of a complex system arise from the intricate way in which its components interact. Various systems in physics, biology, social sciences and engineering have been successfully modelled as networks of coupled dynamical systems, where the graph links describe pairwise interactions. This is, however, too strong a limitation, as recent studies have revealed that higher-order many-body interactions are present in social groups, ecosystems and in the human brain, and they actually affect the emergent dynamics of all these systems. Here, we introduce a general framework that allows to study coupled dynamical systems accounting for the precise microscopic structure of their interactions at any possible order. We consider the most general ensemble of identical dynamical systems, organized on the nodes of a simplicial complex, and interacting through synchronization-non-invasive coupling function. The simplicial complex can be of any dimension, meaning that it can account, at the same time, for pairwise interactions, three-body interactions and so on. In such a broad context, we show that complete synchronization exists as an invariant solution, and we give the necessary condition for it to be observed as a stable state in terms of a Master Stability Function. This generalizes the existing results valid for pairwise interactions (i.e. graphs) to the case of complex systems with the most general possible architecture. Moreover, we show how the approach can be simplified for specific, yet frequently occurring, instances, and we verify all our theoretical predictions in synthetic and real-world systems. Given the completely general character of the method proposed, our results contribute to the theory of dynamical systems with many-body interactions and can find applications in an extremely wide range of practical cases

Stability of Synchronization in Simplicial Complexes

Networks with higher order interactions, relevant to social groups, ecosystems and human brain, require new tools and instruments for their analysis. Gambuzza et al. propose an analytical approach which allows to find conditions for stable synchronization in many-body interaction networks

Nutritional status and cardiovascular risk factors in freshmen at Universidad Nacional del Litoral, in the period 2006-2019

La detección de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) en adultos jóvenes adquiere especial relevancia, porque permite identificar su vulnerabilidad y contribuye a focalizar estrategias de prevención. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el estado nutricional y FRCV en estudiantes ingresantes de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), en el período 2006-2019. Para ello, se planteó un estudio descriptivo–retrospectivo con una muestra total de 1481 historias clínicas seleccionadas al azar, distribuidas por año y desglosadas por sexo. La condición más prevalente fue “peso normal”, seguido por el “sobrepeso” y la “obesidad”. La prevalencia de “exceso de peso” entre 2006-2019 mostró una tendencia ascendente, mientras que el “peso normal” disminuyó en el mismo período de tiempo. Luego del “exceso de peso”, el FRCV más prevalente fue la “hipercolesterolemia” seguido por la “presión arterial alterada” y por último la “glucemia alterada”. Una comparación entre los años 2006 y 2019 evidenció un aumento de estudiantes con la presencia de “uno o más FRCV”. Estas diferencias no fueron significativas. Por todo lo anterior, resulta indispensable diseñar e implementar estrategias para promover cambios de estilo de vida en jóvenes y prevenir enfermedades cardiovasculares en la edad adulta.The detection of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in young adults is particularly relevant, because it makes it possible to identify their vulnerability and contribute to focus prevention strategies. The aim of this paper was evaluated the nutritional status and the CVRFs of the student at Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), during the period 2006-2019. To this end, a descriptive-retrospective study was conducted, with a sample of 1481 randomly selected clinical stories distributed by year and broken down by sex. "Normal weight" was the most prevalent condition, followed by "overweight" and, lastly, "obesity". The prevalence of “overweight” during 2006-2019 showed an upward trend, while “normal weight” decrease in the same period. After “overweight”, the most prevalent CVRF was “hypercholesterolemia”, followed by “abnormal arterial hypertension" and, lastly, "abnormal blood glucose”. A comparation between years 2006 and 2019 evidence an increase of students with “one or more CVRFs". These differences were non-significant. For all the above, it is essential to design and implement strategies to promote lifestyle changes in young people and prevent cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.Fil: Gambuzza, A. G.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Gottig, A. N.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Negro, Emilse. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Gesualdo, S. C.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentin

Geology of the construction materials of the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Alì Superiore (NE Sicily, Italy)

This study deals with the petrographic analysis of a great variety of construction materials used to build a 16th century church in NE Sicily. X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy techniques were useful to establish the composition and the texture of natural stones (phyllites, schists, marbles and volcanic scoriae) and artificial materials (mortars and bricks). The quarry areas of natural stones are located around the church where they can be correlated to geological formations. Information about mortars and brick production is provide

[Liver function tests, hepatitis A, B, C markers and HIV antibodies in patients with Basedow's ophthalmopathy treated with intravenous immunoglobulins].

Recent reports of transmission by intravenous gamma-globulin preparations of A, B, C and non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH), including several cases that progressed to severe liver damage and death, have raised concerns about the safety of intravenous gamma-globulins. To assess this issue 15 patients treated with high-dose "intravenous immunoglobulin" (IVIG) for Graves' Ophthalmopathy had serial determination of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin that were performed regularly at interval of 3 weeks during IVIG treatment and 6 months after the end of the treatment. Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV markers were determined before, during and 6 months after the end of the treatment. The standard dosage was 400 mg per Kg body weight IVIG (3 cycles of 5 days and 12 of 1 day, every 21 days). Transient minor elevations were observed for GPT, for GOT, for gamma-GT and alkaline phosphatase. None of the elevations were considered indicative of NANBH or of any chronic hepatic disease. Transient presence of hepatitis A, B and C antibodies were observed in 6 patients. All patients remained negative for hepatitis B antigens throughout the study. HIV antibodies resulted always negative in all patients. In conclusion this study suggests the hepatitis and HIV safety of IVIG

Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in a patient with systemic sarcoidosis

A 59 year old man presenting fever, serum hyponatremia and hypoosmolality in association with hyperosmotic urine was hospitalized in our unit in February 1988. We demonstrated evidence of systemic sarcoidosis and inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The patient was treated with corticosteroid therapy for a period of about 1 year, with regression of signs of the inappropriate vasopressin secretion as well as the symptomatology related to systemic sarcoidosis. This study identified systemic sarcoidosis as a definite cause of "syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion"

Demeclocycline-induced phosphate diabetes in a patient with inappropriate ADH secretion and systemic sarcoidosis.

We report a case of phosphate diabetes in a patient with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) associated with sarcoidosis. Our patient was affected by systemic sarcoidosis and he fits the criteria of Schwartz for the diagnosis of SIADH. He presented with phosphate diabetes which appeared during demeclocycline (DMC) therapy and persisted for about 1 month from the end of DMC. It constitutes the fourth case of phosphate diabetes induced by tetracycline described in the literature and it is the third case of SIADH associated with sarcoidosis