Nonequilibrium phase transition in the coevolution of networks and opinions

Models of the convergence of opinion in social systems have been the subject of a considerable amount of recent attention in the physics literature. These models divide into two classes, those in which individuals form their beliefs based on the opinions of their neighbors in a social network of personal acquaintances, and those in which, conversely, network connections form between individuals of similar beliefs. While both of these processes can give rise to realistic levels of agreement between acquaintances, practical experience suggests that opinion formation in the real world is not a result of one process or the other, but a combination of the two. Here we present a simple model of this combination, with a single parameter controlling the balance of the two processes. We find that the model undergoes a continuous phase transition as this parameter is varied, from a regime in which opinions are arbitrarily diverse to one in which most individuals hold the same opinion. We characterize the static and dynamical properties of this transition

Canine-Derived Cosmid Probes Containing Microsatellites Can Be Used in Physical Mapping of Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) and Chinese Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides) Genomes

Rapid development of the canine marker genome map facilitates genome mapping of other Canidae species. In this study we present chromosomal localization of 18 canine-derived cosmid probes containing microsatellites in the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and Chinese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides) genomes by the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The chromosome localizations in the arctic fox are in general agreement with data obtained from comparative genome maps of the dog and the fox. However, our studies showed that the order of the loci on some chromosomes was changed during karyotype evolution. Therefore, we suggest that small intrachromosomal rearrangements took plac

Rise of the centrist: from binary to continuous opinion dynamics

We propose a model that extends the binary ``united we stand, divided we fall'' opinion dynamics of Sznajd-Weron to handle continuous and multi-state discrete opinions. Disagreement dynamics are often ignored in continuous extensions of the binary rules, so we make the most symmetric continuum extension of the binary model that can treat the consequences of agreement (debate) and disagreement (confrontation) within a population of agents. We use the continuum extension as an opportunity to develop rules for persistence of opinion (memory). Rules governing the propagation of centrist views are also examined. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out. We find that both memory effects and the type of centrist significantly modify the variance of average opinions in the large timescale limits of the models. Finally, we describe the limit of applicability for Sznajd-Weron's model of binary opinions as the continuum limit is approached. By comparing Monte Carlo results and long time-step limits, we find that the opinion dynamics of binary models are significantly different to those where agents are permitted more than 3 opinions

Analysis of a threshold model of social contagion on degree-correlated networks

We analytically determine when a range of abstract social contagion models permit global spreading from a single seed on degree-correlated random networks. We deduce the expected size of the largest vulnerable component, a network's tinderbox-like critical mass, as well as the probability that infecting a randomly chosen individual seed will trigger global spreading. In the appropriate limits, our results naturally reduce to standard ones for models of disease spreading and to the condition for the existence of a giant component. Recent advances in the distributed, infinite seed case allow us to further determine the final size of global spreading events, when they occur. To provide support for our results, we derive exact expressions for key spreading quantities for a simple yet rich family of random networks with bimodal degree distributions.Comment: 7 Pages, 1 figure, submitted to Phys. Rev.

An analysis of integrative outcomes in the Dayton peace negotiations

The nature of the negotiated outcomes of the eight issues of the Dayton Peace Agreement was studied in terms of their integrative and distributive aspects. in cases where integrative elements were Sound, further analysis was conducted by concentrating on Pruitt's five types of integrative solutions: expanding the pie, cost cutting, non-specific compensation, logrolling, and bridging. The results showed that real world international negotiations can arrive at integrative agreements even when they involve redistribution of resources tin this case the redistribution of former Yugoslavia). Another conclusion was that an agreement can consist of several distributive outcomes and several integrative outcomes produced by different kinds of mechanisms. Similarly, in single issues more than one mechanism can be used simultaneously. Some distributive bargaining was needed in order to determine how much compensation was required. Finally, each integrative formula had some distributive aspects as well

Entanglement between Demand and Supply in Markets with Bandwagon Goods

Whenever customers' choices (e.g. to buy or not a given good) depend on others choices (cases coined 'positive externalities' or 'bandwagon effect' in the economic literature), the demand may be multiply valued: for a same posted price, there is either a small number of buyers, or a large one -- in which case one says that the customers coordinate. This leads to a dilemma for the seller: should he sell at a high price, targeting a small number of buyers, or at low price targeting a large number of buyers? In this paper we show that the interaction between demand and supply is even more complex than expected, leading to what we call the curse of coordination: the pricing strategy for the seller which aimed at maximizing his profit corresponds to posting a price which, not only assumes that the customers will coordinate, but also lies very near the critical price value at which such high demand no more exists. This is obtained by the detailed mathematical analysis of a particular model formally related to the Random Field Ising Model and to a model introduced in social sciences by T C Schelling in the 70's.Comment: Updated version, accepted for publication, Journal of Statistical Physics, online Dec 201

Ergebnis der selektiven Verpaarung beim Entlebucher Sennenhund zur Reduktion der ureteralen Ektopie

Outcome of selective mating in the Entlebucher Mountain Dog for reduction of ureteral ectopia The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is predisposed to ureteral ectopia and associated diseases of the urinary tract as well as the kidneys, which can have severe to lethal consequences. Due to the clustered occurrence of clinical signs in 11 % of Entlebucher Mountain dogs in the absence of a genetic test for ureteral ectopia, screening was introduced in 2008 to allow phenotype-based breeding selection. The ureteral orifices of the dogs are visualized by ultrasound and existing urinary retention or urinary incontinence is documented. The diagnostic findings were evaluated centrally with assignment to one of five phenotypes depending on the localization of the ureteral orifices and the renal and ureteral shape. Breeding approval and mating restrictions are the responsibility of the respective breeding associations and predominantly Entlebucher Mountain Dogs with extravesical ectopic ureters and/or clinical signs were excluded from breeding. The effect of phenotype-based selective mating on the incidence of ureteral ectopia and its clinical signs, as well as possible factors influencing the expression of the phenotype, were determined in the birth cohorts after the introduction of screening. Analysis of the data set of 1456 phenotyped Entlebucher Mountain Dogs showed, that at 11 % versus 5 %, males were more frequently assigned to the extravesical phenotype than females. The effect of phenotype-based breeding selection was examined in a subpopulation consisting of phenotyped parents and their offspring (n = 876). The prevalence of the extravesical phenotype decreased from 24 % in the 2005 to 2007 birth cohorts to 1,4 % in the 2015 to 2017 birth cohorts. Since 2015 almost no Entlebucher Mountain Dogs with incontinence, hydroureter or hydronephrosis have been recorded. It was feared that the additional selection measures to control ureteral ectopia in the small Entlebucher Mountain Dog population would intensify the inbreeding increase. However, this has so far remained absent. Therefore, as long as no genetic test is available, it is recommended to continue phenotype-based breeding selection with exclusion of dogs with extravesical ureteral ectopia and/or hydroureter/hydronephrosis/urinary incontinence, while keeping an eye on the development of the inbreeding coefficient. Keywords: Ectopic ureter, Dog, Inbreeding, Phenotype, Breeding selection Deutsch Ergebnis der selektiven Verpaarung beim Entlebucher Sennenhund zur Reduktion der ureteralen Ektopie Der Entlebucher Sennenhund ist prädisponiert für die ureterale Ektopie und damit für assoziierte Erkrankungen der Harnwege sowie der Nieren, was schwerwiegende bis letale Folgen haben kann. Aufgrund des gehäuften Auftretens klinischer Symptome bei 11 % der Entlebucher Sennenhunde wurde in Ermangelung eines Gentests auf ureterale Ektopie 2008 ein Screening eingeführt, um eine Phänotyp-basierte Zuchtselektion zu ermöglichen. Die Uretermündungen der Hunde werden in der Regel mittels Ultraschall lokalisiert und bestehender Harnrückstau oder Harninkontinenz wird dokumentiert. Die Befundung erfolgte zentral mit einer Zuordnung zu einem von fünf Phänotypen in Abhängigkeit von der Lokalisation der Uretermündungen sowie der Nieren – und Ureterengestalt. Die Zuchtzulassung und Verpaarungsbeschränkungen obliegen den jeweiligen Zuchtverbänden, wobei überwiegend Entlebucher Sennenhunde mit extravesikal ektopischen Ureteren und/oder klinischen Symptomen von der Zucht ausgeschlossen wurden. Die Auswirkung der Phänotyp-basierten selektiven Verpaarung auf das Auftreten der ureteralen Ektopie und deren klinischen Symptome sowie mögliche Einflussfaktoren auf die Ausprägung des Phänotyps wurden in den Geburtsjahren nach Einführung des Screenings ermittelt. Die Analyse des Datensatzes mit 1456 phänotypisierten Entlebucher Sennenhunden zeigte, dass mit 11 % versus 5 % Rüden häufiger als Hündinnen dem extravesikalen Phänotyp zugeteilt wurden. Die Auswirkung der Phänotyp-basierten Zuchtselektion wurde an einer Teilpopulation, bestehend aus phänotypisierten Elterntieren und ihren Nachkommen (n = 876), untersucht. Die Prävalenz des extravesikalen Phänotyps nahm von 24 % bei den Geburtsjahren 2005 bis 2007 auf 1,4 % bei den Geburtsjahren 2015 bis 2017 ab. Seit 2015 wurden nahezu keine Entlebucher Sennenhunde mehr mit Inkontinenz, Hydroureter oder Hydronephrose erfasst. Befürchtet wurde, dass die zusätzlichen Selektionsmassnahmen zur Bekämpfung der ureteralen Ektopie in der kleinen Entlebucher Sennenhundepopulation den Inzuchtanstieg verstärken würde. Dies blieb bisher jedoch aus. Daher wird, solange kein genetischer Test zur Verfügung steht, empfohlen, die Phänotyp-basierte Zuchtselektion mit Ausschluss von Hunden mit extravesikaler ureteraler Ektopie und/oder Hydroureter/Hydronephrose/Harninkontinenz vorerst weiterzuführen und gleichzeitig die Entwicklung des Inzuchtkoeffizienten im Auge zu behalten. Schlüsselwörter: Ektopischer Ureter, Hund, Inzucht, Phänotyp, Zuchtselektion Français Résultat de l’accouplement sélectif chez le bouvier de l’Entlebuch pour réduire l’ectopie urétérale Le Bouvier de l’Entlebuch est prédisposé à l’ectopie urétérale et aux maladies associées des voies urinaires ainsi que des reins, ce qui peut entraîner des conséquences fatales. En raison de l’apparition de signes cliniques chez 11 % des chiens et en l’absence d’un test génétique pour l’ectopie urétérale, un dépistage a été introduit en 2008 pour permettre une sélection d’élevage basée sur le phénotype. Les orifices urétraux des chiens ont été visualisés par échographie et la rétention ou l’incontinence urinaire existante documentée. Les résultats du diagnostic ont été évalués de manière centralisée avec attribution à l’un des cinq phénotypes en fonction de la localisation des orifices urétéraux ainsi que de la forme des reins et des uretères. L’approbation pour la reproduction et les restrictions d’accouplement relèvent de la responsabilité des associations d’élevage respectives et les bouviers de l’Entlebuch présentant des uretères ectopiques extravésicaux et/ou des signes cliniques ont majoritairement été exclus de la reproduction. L’effet de cet accouplement sélectif basé sur le phénotype sur l’incidence de l’ectopie urétérale et de ses signes cliniques ainsi que les facteurs possibles influençant l’expression du phénotype ont été déterminés dans les cohortes de naissance après l’introduction du dépistage. L’analyse de l’ensemble des données de 1456 Bouviers de l’Entlebuch phénotypés a montré que, à 11 % contre 5 %, les mâles étaient plus fréquemment affectés au phénotype extravésical que les femelles. L’effet de la sélection d’élevage basée sur le phénotype a été examiné dans une sous-population composée de parents phénotypés et de leur progéniture (n = 876). La prévalence du phénotype extravésical est passée de 24 % dans les cohortes de naissance de 2005 à 2007 à 1,4 % dans les cohortes de naissance de 2015 à 2017. Depuis 2015, presque aucun bouvier d’Entlebuch présentant une incontinence, un hydrouretère ou une hydronéphrose n’a été enregistré. Une possible augmentation de la consanguinité due aux mesures de sélection supplémentaires visant à contrôler l’ectopie urétérale ne s’est pas produite. Par conséquent, tant qu’aucun test génétique n’est disponible, il est recommandé de poursuivre la sélection d’élevage basée sur le phénotype avec exclusion des chiens présentant une ectopie urétérale extravésicale et/ou une hydrouretère/hydronéphrose/incontinence urinaire, tout en surveillant l’évolution du coefficient de consanguinité. Mots-clés: auretère ectopique, chien, consanguinité, phénotype, sélection d’élevage Italiano Risultato dell'accoppiamento selettivo nel cane da montagna Entlebuch per ridurre l'ectopia ureterale Il bovaro dell’Entlebuch è predisposto all’ectopia ureterale e quindi alle malattie che sono correlate al tratto urinario e renale con possibili conseguenze letali. A causa della frequente comparsa di segni clinici nell’11 % dei cani e in assenza di un test genetico per l’ectopia ureterale, nel 2008 è stato introdotto uno screening per consentire la selezione fenotipica dei riproduttori. Gli orifizi ureterali dei cani sono solitamente localizzato tramite ecografia e viene documentata la presenza di ritenzione o incontinenza urinaria. I risultati sono stati valutati in modo centralizzato e si è assegnato il risultato a uno dei cinque fenotipi a seconda della localizzazione degli orifizi ureterali e della forma dei reni e degli ureteri. L’autorizzazione all’allevamento e le restrizioni all’accoppiamento sono di competenza delle rispettive associazioni di allevatori e i bovari dell’Entlebuch con ureteri ectopici extravescicali e/o con segni clinici sono stati prevalentemente esclusi dalla riproduzione. L’effetto dell’accoppiamento selettivo, basato sul fenotipo per rapporto all’incidenza dell’ectopia ureterale e dei suoi segni clinici, nonché dei possibili fattori che influenzano l’espressione del fenotipo, è stato determinato nelle coorti di nascita dopo l’introduzione dello screening. L’analisi del set di dati di 1456 bovari dell’Entlebuch fenotipizzati ha dimostrato che, con una percentuale dell’11 % rispetto al 5 %, i maschi erano più frequentemente assegnati al fenotipo extravescicale rispetto alle femmine. L’effetto della selezione riproduttiva basata sul fenotipo è stato esaminato in una subpopolazione composta da genitori fenotipizzati e dalla loro discendenza (n = 876). La prevalenza del fenotipo extravescicale è diminuita dal 24 % nelle coorti di nascita dal 2005 al 2007 all’1,4 % nelle coorti di nascita dal 2015 al 2017. Dal 2015 non sono stati registrati quasi più bovari dell’Entlebuch con incontinenza, idrouretere o idronefrosi. Non si è riscontrato un possibile aumento della consanguineità dovuto alle misure di selezione aggiuntive per controllare l’ectopia ureterale. Pertanto, finché non è disponibile un test genetico, si raccomanda di continuare la selezione fenotipica con l’esclusione dei cani con ectopia ureterale extravescicale e/o idrouretere/idronefrosi/incontinenza urinaria, facendo particolare attenzione all’andamento del coefficiente di consanguineità. Parole chiavi: Uretere ectopico, cane, consanguineità, fenotipo, selezione riproduttiv

The Critical Project in Schelling, Tillich and Goodchild

2 Altizer and Tillich repeat a Cartesian trope that lies at the kernel of modernity: beginnings must be destructive; they ... The Critical Project in Schelling, Tillich, and Goodchild Daniel Whistler Radical Apologetics: Paul Tillich and Radical ..