3,547 research outputs found
Epidemic threshold and control in a dynamic network
In this paper we present a model describing susceptible-infected-susceptible-type epidemics spreading on a dynamic contact network with random link activation and deletion where link activation can be locally constrained. We use and adapt an improved effective degree compartmental modeling framework recently proposed by Lindquist et al. [ J. Math Biol. 62 143 (2010)] and Marceau et al. [ Phys. Rev. E 82 036116 (2010)]. The resulting set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is solved numerically, and results are compared to those obtained using individual-based stochastic network simulation. We show that the ODEs display excellent agreement with simulation for the evolution of both the disease and the network and are able to accurately capture the epidemic threshold for a wide range of parameters. We also present an analytical R0 calculation for the dynamic network model and show that, depending on the relative time scales of the network evolution and disease transmission, two limiting cases are recovered: (i) the static network case when network evolution is slow and (ii) homogeneous random mixing when the network evolution is rapid. We also use our threshold calculation to highlight the dangers of relying on local stability analysis when predicting epidemic outbreaks on evolving networks
Development of an integrated data base for land use and water quality planning
To help understand the role played by different land resources in water quality management a computer based data system was created. The Land Resource Information System (LRIS) allows data to be readily retrieved or statistically analyzed for a variety of purposes. It is specifically formatted to perform coordination of water quality data with logy, etc. New understanding of the region gained through the use of LRIS has gone well beyond the initial purpose of assessing water quality conditions. The land use and natural features information has provided a well defined starting point for a systematic evaluation of proposed land uses, transportation, housing, and other public investments. It has laid the foundation for a comprehensive and integrated approach to many different planning and investment programs presently underway
First principles of modelling the stabilization of microturbulence by fast ions
The observation that fast ions stabilize ion-temperature-gradient-driven
microturbulence has profound implications for future fusion reactors. It is
also important in optimizing the performance of present-day devices. In this
work, we examine in detail the phenomenology of fast ion stabilization and
present a reduced model which describes this effect. This model is derived from
the high-energy limit of the gyrokinetic equation and extends the existing
"dilution" model to account for nontrivial fast ion kinetics. Our model
provides a physically-transparent explanation for the observed stabilization
and makes several key qualitative predictions. Firstly, that different classes
of fast ions, depending on their radial density or temperature variation, have
different stabilizing properties. Secondly, that zonal flows are an important
ingredient in this effect precisely because the fast ion zonal response is
negligible. Finally, that in the limit of highly-energetic fast ions, their
response approaches that of the "dilution" model; in particular, alpha
particles are expected to have little, if any, stabilizing effect on plasma
turbulence. We support these conclusions through detailed linear and nonlinear
gyrokinetic simulations.Comment: 29 pages, 10 figures, 3 table
Optimal multihump filter for photometric redshifts
We propose a novel type filter for multicolor imaging to improve on the
photometric redshift estimation of galaxies. An extra filter - specific to a
certain photometric system - may be utilized with high efficiency. We present a
case study of the Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys and show
that one extra exposure could cut down the mean square error on photometric
redshifts by 34% over the z<1.3 redshift range.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, LaTeX AASTeX, accepted to A
Control apparatus
Although the method and apparatus of the present invention can be utilized to apply either a uniform or a nonuniform covering of material over many different workpieces, the apparatus (20) is advantageously utilized to apply a thermal barrier covering (64) to an airfoil (22) which is used in a turbine engine. The airfoil is held by a gripper assembly (86) while a spray gun (24) is effective to apply the covering over the airfoil. When a portion of the covering has been applied, a sensor (28) is utilized to detect the thickness of the covering. A control apparatus (32) compares the thickness of the covering of material which has been applied with the desired thickness and is subsequently effective to regulate the operation of the spray gun to adaptively apply a covering of a desired thickness with an accuracy of at least plus or minus 0.0015 inches (1.5 mils) despite unanticipated process variations
Identification of criticality in neuronal avalanches: II. A theoretical and empirical investigation of the Driven case
The observation of apparent power laws in neuronal systems has led to the suggestion that the brain is at, or close to, a critical state and may be a self-organised critical system. Within the framework of self-organised criticality a separation of timescales is thought to be crucial for the observation of power-law dynamics and computational models are often constructed with this property. However, this is not necessarily a characteristic of physiological neural networks—external input does not only occur when the network is at rest/a steady state. In this paper we study a simple neuronal network model driven by a continuous external input (i.e. the model does not have an explicit separation of timescales from seeding the system only when in the quiescent state) and analytically tuned to operate in the region of a critical state (it reaches the critical regime exactly in the absence of input—the case studied in the companion paper to this article). The system displays avalanche dynamics in the form of cascades of neuronal firing separated by periods of silence. We observe partial scale-free behaviour in the distribution of avalanche size for low levels of external input. We analytically derive the distributions of waiting times and investigate their temporal behaviour in relation to different levels of external input, showing that the system’s dynamics can exhibit partial long-range temporal correlations. We further show that as the system approaches the critical state by two alternative ‘routes’, different markers of criticality (partial scale-free behaviour and long-range temporal correlations) are displayed. This suggests that signatures of criticality exhibited by a particular system in close proximity to a critical state are dependent on the region in parameter space at which the system (currently) resides
Airfoil
Although the method and apparatus of the present invention can be utilized to apply either a uniform or a nonuniform covering of material over many different workpieces, the apparatus (20) is advantageously utilized to apply a thermal barrier covering (64) to an airfoil (22) which is used in a turbine engine. The airfoil is held by a gripper assembly (86) while a spray gun (24) is effective to apply the covering over the airfoil. When a portion of the covering has been applied, a sensor (28) is utilized to detect the thickness of the covering. A control apparatus (32) compares the thickness of the covering of material which has been applied with the desired thickness and is subsequently effective to regulate the operation of the spray gun to adaptively apply a covering of a desired thickness with an accuracy of at least plus or minus 0.0015 of an inch (1.5 mils) despite unanticipated process variations
Method and apparatus for use in making an object
Although the method and apparatus of the present invention can be utilized to apply either a uniform or a nonuniform covering of material over many different workpieces, the apparatus (20) is advantageously utilized to apply a thermal barrier covering (64) to an airfoil (22) which is used in a turbine engine. The airfoil is held by a gripper assembly (86) while a spray gun (24) is effective to apply the covering over the airfoil. When a portion of the covering has been applied, a sensor (28) is utilized to detect the thickness of the covering. A control apparatus (32) compares the thickness of the covering of material which has been applied with the desired thickness and is subsequently effective to regulate the operation of the spray gun to adaptively apply a covering of a desired thickness with an accuracy of at least plus or minus 0.0015 inches (1.5 mils) despite unanticipated process variations
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