Towards a Realistic Model for Failure Propagation in Interdependent Networks

Modern networks are becoming increasingly interdependent. As a prominent example, the smart grid is an electrical grid controlled through a communications network, which in turn is powered by the electrical grid. Such interdependencies create new vulnerabilities and make these networks more susceptible to failures. In particular, failures can easily spread across these networks due to their interdependencies, possibly causing cascade effects with a devastating impact on their functionalities. In this paper we focus on the interdependence between the power grid and the communications network, and propose a novel realistic model, HINT (Heterogeneous Interdependent NeTworks), to study the evolution of cascading failures. Our model takes into account the heterogeneity of such networks as well as their complex interdependencies. We compare HINT with previously proposed models both on synthetic and real network topologies. Experimental results show that existing models oversimplify the failure evolution and network functionality requirements, resulting in severe underestimations of the cascading failures.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, to be published in conference proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Computing, Networking and Communications (ICNC 2016), Kauai, US

AxIOM: Amphipod crustaceans from insular Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows

peer reviewedBackground The Neptune grass, Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, 1813, is the most widespread seagrass of the Mediterranean Sea. This foundation species forms large meadows that, through habitat and trophic services, act as biodiversity hotspots. In Neptune grass meadows, amphipod crustaceans are one of the dominant groups of vagile invertebrates, forming an abundant and diverse taxocenosis. They are key ecological components of the complex, pivotal, yet critically endangered Neptune grass ecosystems. Nevertheless, comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data about amphipod fauna found in Mediterranean Neptune grass meadows remain scarce, especially in insular locations. New information Here, we provide in-depth metadata about AxIOM, a sample-based dataset published on the GBIF portal. AxIOM is based on an extensive and spatially hierarchized sampling design with multiple years, seasons, day periods, and methods. Samples were taken along the coasts of Calvi Bay (Corsica, France) and of the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area (Sardinia, Italy). In total, AxIOM contains 187 samples documenting occurrence (1775 records) and abundance (10720 specimens) of amphipod crustaceans belonging to 72 species spanning 29 families. The dataset is available at http://ipt.biodiversity.be/resource?r=axiom

Potential early indicators of anthropogenically derived nutrients : a multiscale stable isotope analysis

Increasing human pressure along Mediterranean coastlines raises the need to define sensitive bioindicators that provide an early response to nutrient enrichment. We performed multiscale carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses on the limpet Patella caerulea, the snail Monodonta turbinata, epilithic biofilms, and the macroalga Rissoella verruculosa inhabiting the rocky midlittoral zone. Samples were seasonally collected in 2006 from 5 sites exposed to a range of anthropogenic discharges in the Revellata Bay area and in Marseille harbour (France). All bioindicators exhibited strongly elevated δ15N values at impacted sites compared to pristine ones, which revealed the biological availability of anthropogenically derived nutrients. Only epilithic biofilms tended to show both the occurrence of nutrient pulses during the tourist season and a δ13C response at impacted sites. In contrast to macroalgae, which exhibited a somewhat equivocal signal, gastropods and especially M. turbinata provided the best time-integrated picture of the graduated exposure of the 5 sites to anthropogenic impact. Results also showed first evidence of large isotopic variability at a scale of tens of metres, close to that found at the kilometre scale. The intra- and interspecific isotopic variability in gastropods may be explained by the patchiness of resources and specific morphological and behavioural features, but these factors do not greatly hamper their potential as early bioindicators of wastewater disturbances.Peer reviewe

Effects of fish predation on Posidonia oceanica amphipod assemblages

Amphipod assemblages that inhabit Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows are potentially relevant trophic resources for ichthyofauna. However, the effects of fish predation on amphipod assemblages in this system have received little attention. To address this gap in knowledge, experimental manipulations of predation intensity (exclusion and inclusion cages) were conducted at two sites in a Mediterranean marine protected area, where different levels of fish predation were expected to occur. We found that in the absence of predatory fishes (exclusion cages), total amphipod density and biomass were higher than in uncaged areas and partially controlled cages. At the species level, Caprella acanthifera and Iphimedia minuta responded to caging with increased abundance, while in most cases different species did not exhibit differences in density or biomass between treatments. The presence of one enclosed labrid fish predator (inclusion cages) resulted in a lower density and biomass of Aora spinicornis and a lower biomass of Phtisica marina, although total amphipod density and biomass were unchanged. In the inclusion cages, a size-frequency analysis revealed that predators mainly targeted large A. spinicornis and Apherusa chiereghinii individuals. Our results suggest that predation by fish may be an important factor in controlling amphipod abundances and biomasses in P. oceanica meadows. Overall, amphipod community composition was not affected by exclusion or inclusion of fish predators. However, some significant effects at the species level point to more complex interactions between some amphipods and fish

Busulfan and melphalan as conditioning regimen for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission

Vinte e dois pacientes consecutivos portadores de leucemia mielóide aguda (LMA) em primeira remissão completa (1ªRC) submetidos a transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas autogênico (TCTH Auto) condicionados com bussulfano e melfalano (Bu/Mel) foram selecionados entre 1993 e 2006. A probabilidade de sobrevida global (SG) pelo método de Kaplan-Meier foi de 57,5% após 36 meses, com "plateau" aos 20 meses após o transplante. Fatores como sexo, classificação Franco-Americana-Britânica (FAB) da LMA, tratamento de indução, consolidação intensiva, remissão após o primeiro ciclo de indução e fonte de células não tiveram impacto na sobrevida. Pela análise citogenética, um paciente de mau prognóstico submetido ao procedimento, foi a óbito um ano após o transplante. Nove pacientes foram a óbito, oito por recidiva e um por hemorragia. Morte antes dos 100 dias ocorreu em dois pacientes, um por recidiva e outro por hemorragia decorrente da plaquetopenia refratária, relacionada ao procedimento. Concluímos que o regime de condicionamento Bu/Mel é opção válida ao uso de outros regimes de condicionamento, apresentando excelente taxa da sobrevida.Twenty-two consecutive patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem cells transplantation conditioned with busulfan and melphalan were evaluated between 1993 and 2006. The overall survival, according to the Kaplan-Meier curve, was 57.5% at 36 months, with a "plateau" at 20 months after transplant. Factors such as gender, French-American-British (FAB) classification of acute myeloid leukemia, induction therapy, intensive consolidation, remission after the first cycle of induction and source of cells had no impact on survival. One patient with poor prognosis before the procedure died a year after transplantation. Nine patients died, eight by relapse and one because of bleeding. Death before 100 days occurred for two patients, one due to relapse and the other bleeding caused by refractory thrombocytopenia related to the procedure. In conclusion, the conditioning regiment with busulfan and melphalan is a valid option compared to the other conditioning regimens, with an excellent overall survival

Design of a digital FIR filter with minimum delay for BCI applications

The present thesis-work focuses on the BCI system implemented at the San Camillo Hospital (Venice) as a rehabilitative treatment. It is an alternative rehabilitative strategy, that applies an operant conditioning based on neuroplasticity to operate external devices. The aim of this thesis work is designing a digital FIR filter for this BCI application. Herein, the approach and criterion used are explained in detail, finally are exposed the outcomes and possible future strategies and approachesope

New target for the development of antimigraine drugs: in vitro and in vivo study

Migraine is a recurrent headache disorder typified by painful attacks lasting 4 to 72 hours, which affects 12% of the Caucasian population and has a major impact on the well-being and quality of life of patients and their families. Migraine can be treated by different classes of drugs, belonging to two macro-categories: symptomatic and preventive therapy, but most of these therapies are poorly tolerated or ineffective, and a large number of patients are dissatisfied with their treatment, while others develop it following the abuse of symptomatic drugs. Hence the need to identify new therapeutic targets for the development of new anti-migraine drugs. The general aim of this research work has been the in vitro or the in vivo pharmacological investigation of new and standard compounds acting on different receptors involved in migraine disease. The aims of the study were: 1) the in vitro set-up and pharmacological validation of a battery of assays for the pharmacological characterization of kappa opioid receptor ligands; 2) the design, synthesis, and pharmacological characterization of mixed NOP/opioid peptide agonists; 3) the design, synthesis, and pharmacological characterization of new TRPA1 antagonists, analogs of the standard antagonist DHC200; 4) the evaluation of cannabidiol (CBD) in vivo, in a mouse model of migraine induced by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) systemic administration; 5) the evaluation of the role played by the NOP receptor in migraine by studying the phenotype of mice knockout for the NOP receptor (NOP(-/-)) in two experimental migraine models (nitroglycerin (GTN)-induced migraine and CGRP-induced migraine). The main results can be resumed as follow: 1) a platform of in vitro assays to characterize ligands for the kappa opioid receptors have been successfully set up and pharmacologically validated using a panel of standard kappa ligands. In the frame of this study, two new dynorphins A derivatives have been characterized: PWT2-Dyn A and Dyn A-palmitic. These compounds behaved as potent full kappa agonists; 2) 31 new compounds with the general sequence [Tyr/Dmt1Xaa5]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2 have been synthesized and investigated through the calcium mobilization and the DMR assays, using cells stably expressing the NOP, mu, delta, and kappa receptors. [Dmt1,5]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 was identified as the most potent mixed NOP/mu peptide agonist so far described. This is a promising peptide to test in in vivo in pre-clinical migraine models; 3) DHC236 and DHC277 were identified as pure and potent TRPA1 antagonists, three times more potent than the starting compound DHC200. These are promising ligands to test in in vivo in pre-clinical migraine models; 4) a single administration of CGRP induced facial hypersensitivity in both female and male mice, while repeated CGRP treatment produced progressively decreased levels in basal pain thresholds only in female mice, suggesting the progression to a chronic migraine phase. In the acute protocol, the CBD administration protected both female and male mice from periorbital allodynia induced by a single CGRP injection, and in the chronic one prevented increased levels of basal allodynia induced by repeated CGRP treatment in female mice. Moreover, CBD injected after CGRP, reversed CGRP-evoked allodynia, and also reduced spontaneous pain traits induced by CGRP administration in female mice. Finally, CBD blocked CGRP-induced anxiety in male mice but failed in protecting CGRP-induced photophobia in female mice; 5) female and male NOP(-/-) mice were more sensitive to the effects of both GTN and CGRP compared to wild-type mice, suggesting that the NOP receptor plays a role in migraine onset. In conclusion, this work brings to the scientific community new methodologies, compounds, and evidence useful to speed up the identification and development of new anti-migraine drugs.L'emicrania è caratterizzata da attacchi dolorosi della durata di 4-72 ore, che colpisce il 12% della popolazione con un impatto importante sul benessere e la qualità della vita. La fisiopatologia dell'emicrania è molto complessa. L'emicrania può essere trattata da diverse classi di farmaci, appartenenti a due macro-categorie: terapia sintomatica e preventiva, ma la maggior parte di queste terapie sono mal tollerate o inefficaci, ed un elevato numero di pazienti sono insoddisfatti del loro trattamento, mentre altri la sviluppano in seguito ad abuso di farmaci sintomatici. Da qui la necessità di individuare nuovi obiettivi terapeutici per lo sviluppo di nuovi farmaci. L'obiettivo generale di questo lavoro di ricerca è stato lo studio farmacologico in vitro o in vivo di composti nuovi e standard che agiscono su diversi recettori coinvolti nella malattia dell'emicrania, nello specifico: 1) la messa a punto in vitro e la validazione di una serie di saggi per la caratterizzazione farmacologica di ligandi del recettore kappa; 2) sintesi e caratterizzazione farmacologica di ligandi peptidici, agonisti misti, per i recettori NOP/oppioidi; 3) progettazione, sintesi e caratterizzazione farmacologica di nuovi antagonisti TRPA1, analoghi di DHC200; 4) la valutazione del cannabidiolo (CBD) in vivo, in un modello murino di emicrania indotta dalla somministrazione sistemica del peptide correlato al gene calcitonina (CGRP); 5) la valutazione del ruolo svolto dal recettore per la nocicettina/orfanina FQ (NOP) nell’ emicrania tramite lo studio del fenotipo di topi knockout per il recettore NOP (NOP(-/-)) in due modelli sperimentali di emicrania. I risultati ottenuti sono: 1) messa a punto con successo e convalidazione farmacologica di una serie di test in vitro per caratterizzare i ligandi per il recettore kappa. Due nuovi derivati di dinorfina A sono stati caratterizzati: PWT2-Dyn A e Dyn A-palmitico. Questi composti si sono comportati come potenti agonisti per il recettore kappa; 2) 31 nuovi composti con sequenza generale [Tyr/Dmt1Xaa5]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2 sono stati sintetizzati e studiati attraverso il saggio della mobilizzazione del calcio intracellulare e tramite analisi DMR, utilizzando cellule che esprimono stabilmente i recettori oppioidi. [Dmt1,5]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 è stato identificato come l'agonista peptidico misto NOP/mu più potente finora descritto. Questo è un peptide promettente da testare in vivo nei modelli di emicrania preclinica; iii) DHC236 e DHC277 sono stati identificati come antagonisti TRPA1 puri e potenti, tre volte più potenti del composto di partenza DHC200. Si tratta di ligandi promettenti da testare in vivo in modelli di emicrania preclinica; iv) una singola somministrazione acuta di CGRP induce segni di ipersensibilità facciale sia nei topi femmine che in maschi, mentre il trattamento ripetuto di CGRP ha prodotto una progressiva diminuzione dell’allodinia periorbitale in topi femmine, mimando la progressione ad una fase cronica dell'emicrania. La somministrazione di CBD ha protetto sia le femmine che i maschi dall'insorgenza di allodinia periorbitale indotta da una singola iniezione di CGRP, mentre CBD cronico ha impedito lo sviluppo di allodina basale nelle femmine. Inoltre, il CBD iniettato dopo CGRP, ha revertito l'allodina evocata da CGRP ed ha anche ridotto i segni di dolore spontaneo indotti dalla somministrazione di CGRP nelle femmine. CBD ha bloccato l'ansia indotta da CGRP nei maschi, ma non è riuscito a revertire la fotofobia indotta da CGRP nelle femmine; v) Topi CD-1 sia maschi che femmine knock-out per il recettore NOP si sono dimostrati più sensibili sia agli effetti di NTG che di CGRP quando confrontati con CD-1 sia maschi che femmine wild-type, suggerendo che il ruolo nell’insorgenza dell’emicrania del recettore NOP. Concludendo, questo lavoro ha permesso lo sviluppo di nuove tecniche e composti per accelerare l'identificazione e lo sviluppo di nuovi farmaci anti-emicrania