1,476 research outputs found
Complex networks: new trends for the analysis of brain connectivity
Today, the human brain can be studied as a whole. Electroencephalography,
magnetoencephalography, or functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques
provide functional connectivity patterns between different brain areas, and
during different pathological and cognitive neuro-dynamical states. In this
Tutorial we review novel complex networks approaches to unveil how brain
networks can efficiently manage local processing and global integration for the
transfer of information, while being at the same time capable of adapting to
satisfy changing neural demands.Comment: Tutorial paper to appear in the Int. J. Bif. Chao
Hubble imaging of the ionizing radiation from a star-forming galaxy at z=3.2 with fesc>50%
Star-forming galaxies are considered to be the leading candidate sources that
dominate the cosmic reionization at z>7, and the search for analogs at moderate
redshift showing Lyman continuum (LyC) leakage is currently a active line of
research. We have observed a star-forming galaxy at z=3.2 with Hubble/WFC3 in
the F336W filter, corresponding to the 730-890A rest-frame, and detect LyC
emission. This galaxy is very compact and also has large Oxygen ratio
[OIII]5007/[OII]3727 (>=10). No nuclear activity is revealed from
optical/near-infrared spectroscopy and deep multi-band photometry (including
the 6Ms X-ray, Chandra). The measured escape fraction of ionizing radiation
spans the range 50-100\%, depending on the IGM attenuation. The LyC emission is
detected at S/N=10 with m(F336W)=27.57+/-0.11 and it is spatially unresolved,
with effective radius R_e<200pc. Predictions from photoionization and radiative
transfer models are in line with the properties reported here, indicating that
stellar winds and supernova explosions in a nucleated star-forming region can
blow cavities generating density-bounded conditions compatible with optically
thin media. Irrespective to the nature of the ionizing radiation, spectral
signatures of these sources over the entire electromagnetic spectrum are of
central importance for their identification during the epoch of reionization,
when the LyC is unobservable. Intriguingly, the Spitzer/IRAC photometric
signature of intense rest-frame optical emissions ([OIII]+Hbeta) observed
recently at z~7.5-8.5 is similar to what is observed in this galaxy. Only the
James Webb Space Telescope will measure optical line ratios at z>7 allowing a
direct comparison with lower redshift LyC emitters, as reported here.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, ApJ submitted (comments welcome
The 500 ks Chandra observation of the z = 6.31 QSO SDSS J1030+0524
We present the results from a ks Chandra observation of the
QSO SDSS J1030+0524. This is the deepest X-ray observation to date of
a QSO. The QSO is detected with a total of 125 net counts in the full
( keV) band and its spectrum can be modeled by a single power-law model
with photon index of and full band flux of
erg s cm. When compared with the data
obtained by XMM-Newton in 2003, our Chandra observation in 2017 shows a harder
() spectrum and a 2.5 times fainter flux. Such a
variation, in a timespan of yrs rest-frame, is unexpected for such a
luminous QSO powered by a black hole. The observed source
hardening and weakening could be related to an intrinsic variation in the
accretion rate. However, the limited photon statistics does not allow us to
discriminate between an intrinsic luminosity and spectral change, and an
absorption event produced by an intervening gas cloud along the line of sight.
We also report the discovery of diffuse X-ray emission that extends for 30"x20"
southward the QSO with a signal-to-noise ratio of 6, hardness ratio of
, and soft band flux of erg s cm, that is not
associated to a group or cluster of galaxies. We discuss two possible
explanations for the extended emission, which may be either associated with the
radio lobe of a nearby, foreground radio galaxy (at ), or
ascribed to the feedback from the QSO itself acting on its surrounding
environment, as proposed by simulations of early black hole formation.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, A&A accepte
Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children: state of the art
The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) represents only part of a large group of pathologies of variable entity called respiratory sleep disorders (RSD) which include simple snoring and increased upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). Although the etiopathogenesis of adult OSAS is well known, many aspects of this syndrome in children are still debated. Its prevalence is about 2% in children from 2 to 8 years of age, mostly related to the size of the upper airways adenoid tissue. Several risk factors linked to the development of OSAS are typical of the pediatric age. The object of this paper is to analyze the state of the art on this specific topic, discussing its implications in terms of diagnosis and management
Enhanced efficiency of the second harmonic inhomogeneous component in an opaque cavity
In this Letter, we experimentally demonstrate the enhancement of the inhomogeneous second harmonic conversion
in the opaque region of a GaAs cavity with efficiencies of the order of 0.1% at 612nm, using 3 ps pump pulses having peak intensities of the order of 10MW=cm2. We show that the conversion efficiency of the inhomogeneous, phase-locked second harmonic component is a quadratic function of the cavity factor Q.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
Organotrifluoroborates as attractive self-assembling systems: the case of bifunctional dipotassium phenylene-1,4-bis(trifluoroborate)
A multitude of non-covalent interactions, investigated by X-ray crystallography and computational chemistry techniques, proved to be responsible of the spontaneous self-assembly of a bis(trifluoroborate) dipotassium salt
A model for cascading failures in complex networks
Large but rare cascades triggered by small initial shocks are present in most
of the infrastructure networks. Here we present a simple model for cascading
failures based on the dynamical redistribution of the flow on the network. We
show that the breakdown of a single node is sufficient to collapse the
efficiency of the entire system if the node is among the ones with largest
load. This is particularly important for real-world networks with an highly
hetereogeneous distribution of loads as the Internet and electrical power
grids.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Short topotecan-based induction regimen in newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma
Purpose: Topotecan is an active drug in relapsed neuroblastoma. We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of a topotecan-based induction regimen in newly diagnosed neuroblastoma. Methods: Patients older than 1 year with either metastatic or localised stage 2-3 MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma received 2 courses of high-dose topotecan (HD-TPT) 6 mg/m2 and high-dose cyclophosphamide (HD-CPM) 140 mg/kg, followed by 2 courses of ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) every 28 days. After surgery on primary tumour, a fifth course with vincristine, doxorubicin and CPM was given, followed by high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support. Response was assessed in accordance with the International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria. Results: Of 35 consecutive patients, 33 had metastatic disease. The median length of induction phase was 133 days (range 91-207) and time to high-dose chemotherapy was 208 days (range 156-285). The median tumour volume reduction was 55% after two HD-TPT/HD-CPM courses and 80% after four courses. Radical surgery was performed in 16/27 patients after chemotherapy. After the fifth course, 29/34 patients (85%) had achieved a partial remission (12) or a CR/very good partial remission (17). CR of metastases was achieved in 13/32 (41%) and bone marrow was in complete remission in 16/24 patients (67%). Grade 4 neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia occurred in 100% of HD-TPT/HD-CPM and in 95% of ICE courses, while non-haematological toxicities were manageable. Conclusions: These data indicate that our induction regimen is feasible and well tolerated. A major response rate of 85% with 41% complete metastatic response confirms this regimen as effective induction in high-risk neuroblastoma. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd
Supply chain management of laboratory supportive services and its potential implications on the quality of HIV diagnostic services in Tanzania
Background: Reliable supply of laboratory supportive services contributes significantly to the quality of HIV diagnostic services. This study assessed the status of supply chain management of laboratory supportive services and its potential implications on the quality of HIV diagnostic services in selected districts of Tanzania.Methods: The study was conducted in 39 health facilities (HFs) from eight districts in four regions of Tanzania, namely Iringa, Mtwara, Tabora and Tanga. Facilities with care and treatment centres for HIV/AIDS patients were purposively selected for the study. The study utilized a quantitative method of data collection. A questionnaire was administered to heads of laboratories to obtain information on laboratory supply chain management.Results: A total of 39 health facilities (HF) were included in the study. This included 23 public and 16 private facilities. In 82% of the HFs, ordering of supplies was performed by the laboratory departments. The information commonly used to forecast requirements of the laboratories included the number of tests done (74.4%; n=29), current stock levels (69.2%; n=27), average monthly consumption (64.1%, n=25) and minimum and maximum stock levels (10.2%, n=4). Emergency orders were significantly common in public than private facilities (73.9% vs. 56.3%, p=0.004). Delivery of ordered supplies took 1 to 180 days with a significantly longer period for public than private facilities (32.5 vs. 13.1 days, p=0.044). Most of the public HFs ordered supplies from diverse sources compared to private facilities (68.2% vs. 31.8%).Conclusion: There was a weak inventory management system and delays in delivery of supplies in the majority of HFs, which are likely to impede quality of HIV care and treatment. Strengthening capacity for data management and ensure constant supply will potentially improve the quality of HIV diagnostic services
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