Analysis of Neighbourhoods in Multi-layered Dynamic Social Networks

Social networks existing among employees, customers or users of various IT systems have become one of the research areas of growing importance. A social network consists of nodes - social entities and edges linking pairs of nodes. In regular, one-layered social networks, two nodes - i.e. people are connected with a single edge whereas in the multi-layered social networks, there may be many links of different types for a pair of nodes. Nowadays data about people and their interactions, which exists in all social media, provides information about many different types of relationships within one network. Analysing this data one can obtain knowledge not only about the structure and characteristics of the network but also gain understanding about semantic of human relations. Are they direct or not? Do people tend to sustain single or multiple relations with a given person? What types of communication is the most important for them? Answers to these and more questions enable us to draw conclusions about semantic of human interactions. Unfortunately, most of the methods used for social network analysis (SNA) may be applied only to one-layered social networks. Thus, some new structural measures for multi-layered social networks are proposed in the paper, in particular: cross-layer clustering coefficient, cross-layer degree centrality and various versions of multi-layered degree centralities. Authors also investigated the dynamics of multi-layered neighbourhood for five different layers within the social network. The evaluation of the presented concepts on the real-world dataset is presented. The measures proposed in the paper may directly be used to various methods for collective classification, in which nodes are assigned to labels according to their structural input features.Comment: 16 pages, International Journal of Computational Intelligence System

Roadmap to cure multiple myeloma

Despite significant advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma which had led to unprecedented rates of response and survival, patients still relapse, and cure remains elusive. We propose in this review a roadmap to achieve the dream of cure for multiple myeloma based on five complementary strategies. First, to increase knowledge about disease pathogenesis with a focus on the biology of circulating tumor cells, responsible for dissemination and extramedullary disease, and minimal residual disease clones who represent the reservoir of clonal evolution and disease recurrence. Second, to consider undetectable measurable residual disease (MRD), defined by high-sensitive techniques, as the new endpoint of therapy. Third, to treat disease causation instead of symptomatology through early detection and intervention. Thereby, by treating high-risk smoldering myeloma patients early, we may not only contribute to delay disease progression into active disease but also to increase the cure rates. Fourth, to use the most active scheme in standard-risk patients if the cure is in the horizon. Fifth, to investigate experimental therapies in newly diagnosed patients with high-risk MM, implementing early rescue intervention strategies with the goal of eradicating all tumor clones, and achieving minimal residual disease negativity

Secular variations of magma source compositions in the North Patagonian batholith from the Jurassic to Tertiary: Was mélange melting involved?

This study of Sr-Nd initial isotopic ratios of plutons from the North Patago nian batholith (Argentina and Chile) revealed that a secular evolution spanning 180 m.y., from the Jurassic to Neogene, can be established in terms of magma sources, which in turn are correlated with changes in the tectonic regime. The provenance and composition of end-member components in the source of mag mas are represented by the Sr-Nd initial isotopic ratios (87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd) of the plutonic rocks. Our results support the interpretation that source compo sition was determined by incorporation of varied crustal materials and trench sediments via subduction erosion and sediment subduction into a subduction channel mélange. Subsequent melting of subducted mélanges at mantle depths and eventual reaction with the ultramafic mantle are proposed as the main causes of batholith magma generation, which was favored during periods of fast conver gence and high obliquity between the involved plates. We propose that a parental diorite (= andesite) precursor arrived at the lower arc crust, where it underwent fractionation to yield the silicic melts (granodiorites and granites) that formed the batholiths. The diorite precursor could have been in turn fractionated from a more mafic melt of basaltic andesite composition, which was formed within the mantle by complete reaction of the bulk mélanges and the peridotite. Our proposal follows model predictions on the formation of mélange diapirs that carry fertile subducted materials into hot regions of the suprasubduction mantle wedge, where mafic parental magmas of batholiths originate. This model not only accounts for the secular geochemical variations of Andean batholiths, but it also avoids a fundamental paradox of the classical basalt model: the absence of ultramafic cumulates in the lower arc crust and in the continental crust in general

Distribution and origin of natural gas leakage in the Colorado Basin, offshore Argentina 2 Margin, South America: seismic interpretation and 3D basin modelling

The detailed analysis of a dense 2D seismic reflection dataset and data from 8 exploration wells, allowed us to identify, map out and characterize possible indications of past and present-day hydrocarbon leakage (i.e. gas chimneys, gas pockets, and seafloor mounds and pockmarks) on the continental shelf and slope of the Colorado Basin, offshore Argentina, where Permian, Jurassic and Early Cretaceous source rocks are potentially present and may be currently mature. Identified gas leakage features, developed both in the syn-rift and post-rift successions, were also analysed in relation to the structural the stratigraphic elements of the basin. A family of seabed pockmarks, located close to an array of submarine channels, was identified on the distal slope of the basin. These pockmarks are overlying a series of sub-vertical to vertical seismic chimneys in the subsurface. A calibrated basin-wide 3D petroleum system model comprising generation and migration of hydrocarbons was carried out and compared with the observations from the seismic analysis. Preliminary results from this model indicate that although synrift and early Cretaceous source rock (SR) intervals may be depleted in the central areas of the basin, an active kitchen from the Aptian SR may be present below the slope areas. Hydrocarbon migration pathways predicted by the 3D model (Hybrid method) coincide with the interpreted seismic chimneys underlying the observed seabed slope pockmarks. Hence, our results indicate that thermogenic gas may be currently generated in the distal slope of the basin from mature early post-rift source rocks within the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) sequences and migrates vertically, due to seal failure, through the stratigraphic column. This migrating thermogenic gas is feeding the seafloor pockmarks identified in the distal slope of the basin, although up-dip lateral migration along stratigraphic layers to the more proximal slope areas cannot be ruled out. The present work represents the first published study integrating detailed seismic analysis and 3D basin modelling linking observed gas-leakage indicators and associated seepage pathways, to their relative abundance, distribution and feeding systems offshore Argentina’s continental margin

Caracterizacion de la sequia en pastos anuales en Dehesas / Characterization of pasture drought in dehesas of Spain

La sequía es un término meteorológico que significa un periodo seco prolongado. El objetivo de este trabajo es caracterizar el fenómeno estacional de la sequía en pastos anuales de dehesa. Durante 2010 y 2011 se realizó un seguimiento del pasto herbáceo en El Cubo de Don Sancho (Salamanca), Trujillo (Cáceres) y Pozoblanco (Córdoba). Se midió la producción herbácea y se caracterizó botánicamente cada zona, además se midió mensualmente la variación del contenido de agua en el suelo mediante un TDR y la precipitación. Los datos de campo de precipitación, humedad del suelo y cantidad de pasto en pie, y los datos estimados de evaporación se han comparado con la evolución del índice de vegetación para seguros de sequía por teledetección determinado por Agroseguro. Los resultados mostraron un retardo entre la acumulación de agua en el suelo y el crecimiento del pasto, que se transfiere a las medidas del índice de vegetación por teledetección. En los dos años de estudio los periodos de sequía sucedieron al inicio de crecimiento, justo después de la sequía estacional típica del verano

OPTIMIZING AND PROMOTING MECHANICAL WEED CONTROL IN ARABLE CROPS

Within an overall strategy of weed flora management, mechanical weed control practices are complementary solutions to agronomic levers (crop rotation, tillage...) in weed control. Acquiring knowledge and communicating on the effectiveness of mechanical practices and tools appear essential. The "Mechanical Weed Control" project in France conducted between 2009 and 2012 made progress in this regard. The project shows that research activities are to be continued (experimentation, analysis of practices) and should be complemented by promotion that focuses on participatory approaches where farmers are involved in the implementation of these new practices

Surgical treatment of theintersex condition in the dog

Intersexuality is a rare congenital condition that leads to the development of an ambiguous urogenital tract. Removal of the reproductive tract is recommended to avoid genital diseases; however there is scant information about the procedure. The objective of this report is to describe the surgical procedure used to treat the canine intersex condition. Surgical corrections were performed on four intersex dogs: three 78 XX SRY-negative (one bilateral ovotestis, two sertolicell-only syndrome) and one 78 XX SRY-positive (sertolicell-only syndrome). Despite the different genetic and histological features, the anatomical characteristics were similar. The patients presented a vulva that lacked of dorsal fold placed ventrocranially to its anatomically normal position, a hypertrophied os clitoris protruding from the vulva and a urinary opening near to its normal position in the bitch..

Apolipoprotein E allele 4 effects on Single-Subject Gray Matter Networks in Mild Cognitive Impairment.

There is evidence that gray matter networks are disrupted in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and associated with cognitive impairment and faster disease progression. However, it remains unknown how these alterations are related to the presence of Apolipoprotein E isoform E4 (ApoE4), the most prominent genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). To investigate this topic at the individual level, we explore the impact of ApoE4 and the disease progression on the Single-Subject Gray Matter Networks (SSGMNets) using the graph theory approach. Our data sample comprised 200 MCI patients selected from the ADNI database, classified as non-Converters and Converters (will progress into AD). Each group included 50 ApoE4-positive ('Carriers', ApoE4 + ) and 50 ApoE4-negative ('non-Carriers', ApoE4-). The SSGMNets were estimated from structural MRIs at two-time points: baseline and conversion. We investigated whether altered network topological measures at baseline and their rate of change (RoC) between baseline and conversion time points were associated with ApoE4 and disease progression. We also explored the correlation of SSGMNets attributes with general cognition score (MMSE), memory (ADNI-MEM), and CSF-derived biomarkers of AD (Aβ42, T-tau, and P-tau). Our results showed that ApoE4 and the disease progression modulated the global topological network properties independently but not in their RoC. MCI converters showed a lower clustering index in several regions associated with neurodegeneration in AD. The SSGMNets' topological organization was revealed to be able to predict cognitive and memory measures. The findings presented here suggest that SSGMNets could indeed be used to identify MCI ApoE4 Carriers with a high risk for AD progression

Associated production of H^{\pm} and W^{\mp} in high-energy e+e- collisions in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model

We study the associated production of the charged Higgs boson and W^{\pm} gauge boson in high energy e+e- collisions in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). This associated production, which first arises at the one loop level, offers the possibility of producing the charged Higgs boson at the e+e- collider with mass more than half the center-of-mass energy, when the charged Higgs pair production is kinematically forbidden. We present analytic and numerical results for the cross section for e+e- --> W+ H- in the full MSSM, taking into account the previously uncalculated contributions from supersymmetric (SUSY) particles. We find that the contributions of the SUSY particles enhance the cross section over most of SUSY parameter space, especially when the SUSY particles are light, ~200 GeV. With favorable SUSY parameters, at small tan beta, this process can yield more than ten W^{\pm}H^{\mp} events for m_{H^{\pm}} <~ 350 GeV in 500 fb-1 at a 500 GeV e+e- collider, or m_{H^{\pm}} <~ 600 GeV in 1000 fb-1 at a 1000 GeV collider. 80% left-handed polarization of the e- beam improves these reaches to m_{H^{\pm}} <~ 375 GeV and m_{H^{\pm}} <~ 670 GeV, respectively.Comment: v2: 21 pages, 9 figures, comments on Higgs search bounds and new references added, and minor changes; v3: 23 pages, 11 figures, review of literature moved from introduction to new Sec.5 and 2 plots added, references added, typos corrected; v4: bug fixed in nu nubar H0 cross section (Fig.11), version to appear in PR