Pinning Control of Higher Order Nonlinear Network Systems

In this letter, we study the problem of controlling via pinning the motion of nonlinear network systems of any order whose dynamics are in controllable canonical form. Different from existing works that either focus on spontaneous synchronization, assume linear dynamics or rely on dynamics cancellation, here we provide a constructive method to prove pinning controllability towards the desired trajectory selected by the pinner. We introduce an algorithmic procedure that associates to any connected topology a suitable Lyapunov function for the network system. The approach is demonstrated on an illustrative example

Pinning Control of Hypergraphs

A standard assumption in control of network dynamical systems is that its nodes interact through pairwise interactions, which can be described by means of a directed graph. However, in several contexts, multibody, directed interactions may occur, thereby requiring the use of directed hypergraphs rather then digraphs. For the first time, we propose a strategy, inspired by the classic pinning control on graphs, that is tailored for controlling network systems coupled through a directed hypergraph. By drawing an analogy with signed graphs, we provide sufficient conditions for controlling the network onto the desired trajectory provided by the pinner, and a dedicated algorithm to design the control hyperedges

Pinning control of hypergraphs

A standard assumption in control of network dynamical systems is that its nodes interact through pairwise interactions, which can be described by means of a directed graph. However, in several contexts, multibody, directed interactions may occur, thereby requiring the use of directed hypergraphs rather then digraphs. For the first time, we propose a strategy, inspired by the classic pinning control on graphs, that is tailored for controlling network systems coupled through a directed hypergraph. By drawing an analogy with signed graphs, we provide sufficient conditions for controlling the network onto the desired trajectory provided by the pinner, and a dedicated algorithm to design the control hyperedges

A network model of Italy shows that intermittent regional strategies can alleviate the COVID-19 epidemic

The COVID-19 epidemic hit Italy particularly hard, yielding the implementation of strict national lockdown rules. Previous modelling studies at the national level overlooked the fact that Italy is divided into administrative regions which can independently oversee their own share of the Italian National Health Service. Here, we show that heterogeneity between regions is essential to understand the spread of the epidemic and to design effective strategies to control the disease. We model Italy as a network of regions and parameterize the model of each region on real data spanning over two months from the initial outbreak. We confirm the effectiveness at the regional level of the national lockdown strategy and propose coordinated regional interventions to prevent future national lockdowns, while avoiding saturation of the regional health systems and mitigating impact on costs. Our study and methodology can be easily extended to other levels of granularity to support policy- and decision-makers

The ICRF antenna of DTT: Design status and perspectives

The basis of design for the Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequency (ICRF) antennas of the Divertor Tokamak Test facility (DTT) is defined and the most suitable design solutions abiding by such requirements are shown. DTT will be equipped with one, two or three ICRF modules – the final choice to be taken during the first years of operations – and each module will have two antennas. Each antenna has to reliably couple a radiofrequency (RF) power ≥1.5 MW in the range 60÷90 MHz to the single-null, 6 T, 5.5 MA, DTT scenario and allow for remote (dis)assembling and maintenance operations of its plasma-facing components. Most documented antenna concepts are considered and a large set of alternatives, based on toroidal arrays of two, three or four straps with different shapes and constraints, is quantitatively assessed in terms of RF performances. Two most promising candidates are identified: the one, selected to access a detailed design phase, relies on traditional radiating elements, the other is an innovative concept requiring some R&D

Grip Force Reveals the Context Sensitivity of Language-Induced Motor Activity during “Action Words

Studies demonstrating the involvement of motor brain structures in language processing typically focus on \ud time windows beyond the latencies of lexical-semantic access. Consequently, such studies remain inconclusive regarding whether motor brain structures are recruited directly in language processing or through post-linguistic conceptual imagery. In the present study, we introduce a grip-force sensor that allows online measurements of language-induced motor activity during sentence listening. We use this tool to investigate whether language-induced motor activity remains constant or is modulated in negative, as opposed to affirmative, linguistic contexts. Our findings demonstrate that this simple experimental paradigm can be used to study the online crosstalk between language and the motor systems in an ecological and economical manner. Our data further confirm that the motor brain structures that can be called upon during action word processing are not mandatorily involved; the crosstalk is asymmetrically\ud governed by the linguistic context and not vice versa

Clinical Application of Adipose Derived Stem Cells for the Treatment of Aseptic Non-Unions: Current Stage and Future Perspectives—Systematic Review

Fracture non-union is a challenging orthopaedic issue and a socio-economic global burden. Several biological therapies have been introduced to improve traditional surgical approaches. Among these, the latest research has been focusing on adipose tissue as a powerful source of mesenchymal stromal cells, namely, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). ADSC are commonly isolated from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of liposuctioned hypodermal adipose tissue, and their applications have been widely investigated in many fields, including non-union fractures among musculoskeletal disorders. This review aims at providing a comprehensive update of the literature on clinical application of ADSCs for the treatment of non-unions in humans. The study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Only three articles met our inclusion criteria, with a total of 12 cases analyzed for demographics and harvesting, potential manufacturing and implantation of ADSCs. The review of the literature suggests that adipose derived cell therapy can represent a promising alternative in bone regenerative medicine for the enhancement of non-unions and bone defects. The low number of manuscripts reporting ADSC-based therapies for long bone fracture healing suggests some critical issues that are discussed in this review. Nevertheless, further investigations on human ADSC therapies are needed to improve the knowledge on their translational potential and to possibly achieve a consensus on their use for such applications

Manipulating the alpha level cannot cure significance testing

We argue that making accept/reject decisions on scientific hypotheses, including a recent call for changing the canonical alpha level from p = 0.05 to p = 0.005, is deleterious for the finding of new discoveries and the progress of science. Given that blanket and variable alpha levels both are problematic, it is sensible to dispense with significance testing altogether. There are alternatives that address study design and sample size much more directly than significance testing does; but none of the statistical tools should be taken as the new magic method giving clear-cut mechanical answers. Inference should not be based on single studies at all, but on cumulative evidence from multiple independent studies. When evaluating the strength of the evidence, we should consider, for example, auxiliary assumptions, the strength of the experimental design, and implications for applications. To boil all this down to a binary decision based on a p-value threshold of 0.05, 0.01, 0.005, or anything else, is not acceptable

A Multi-Lab Test of the Facial Feedback Hypothesis by the Many Smiles Collaboration

Following theories of emotional embodiment, the facial feedback hypothesis suggests that individuals’ subjective experiences of emotion are influenced by their facial expressions. However, evidence for this hypothesis has been mixed. We thus formed a global adversarial collaboration and carried out a preregistered, multicentre study designed to specify and test the conditions that should most reliably produce facial feedback effects. Data from n = 3,878 participants spanning 19 countries indicated that a facial mimicry and voluntary facial action task could both amplify and initiate feelings of happiness. However, evidence of facial feedback effects was less conclusive when facial feedback was manipulated unobtrusively via a pen-in-mouth task