49 research outputs found
Distance distribution in configuration model networks
We present analytical results for the distribution of shortest path lengths
between random pairs of nodes in configuration model networks. The results,
which are based on recursion equations, are shown to be in good agreement with
numerical simulations for networks with degenerate, binomial and power-law
degree distributions. The mean, mode and variance of the distribution of
shortest path lengths are also evaluated. These results provide expressions for
central measures and dispersion measures of the distribution of shortest path
lengths in terms of moments of the degree distribution, illuminating the
connection between the two distributions.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Model-free inference of direct network interactions from nonlinear collective dynamics
The topology of interactions in network dynamical systems fundamentally
underlies their function. Accelerating technological progress creates massively
available data about collective nonlinear dynamics in physical, biological, and
technological systems. Detecting direct interaction patterns from those
dynamics still constitutes a major open problem. In particular, current
nonlinear dynamics approaches mostly require to know a priori a model of the
(often high dimensional) system dynamics. Here we develop a model-independent
framework for inferring direct interactions solely from recording the nonlinear
collective dynamics generated. Introducing an explicit dependency matrix in
combination with a block-orthogonal regression algorithm, the approach works
reliably across many dynamical regimes, including transient dynamics toward
steady states, periodic and non-periodic dynamics, and chaos. Together with its
capabilities to reveal network (two point) as well as hypernetwork (e.g., three
point) interactions, this framework may thus open up nonlinear dynamics options
of inferring direct interaction patterns across systems where no model is
known.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure
Analytical results for the distribution of shortest path lengths in random networks
We present two complementary analytical approaches for calculating the
distribution of shortest path lengths in Erdos-R\'enyi networks, based on
recursion equations for the shells around a reference node and for the paths
originating from it. The results are in agreement with numerical simulations
for a broad range of network sizes and connectivities. The average and standard
deviation of the distribution are also obtained. In the case that the mean
degree scales as with the network size, the distribution becomes
extremely narrow in the asymptotic limit, namely almost all pairs of nodes are
equidistant, at distance from each other. The
distribution of shortest path lengths between nodes of degree and the rest
of the network is calculated. Its average is shown to be a monotonically
decreasing function of , providing an interesting relation between a local
property and a global property of the network. The methodology presented here
can be applied to more general classes of networks.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, accepted to EP
Synthetic cells synthesize therapeutic proteins inside tumors
The existing dogma is that protein medicines need to be produced in large factories, and then injected to the patient. We propose that miniature artificial inert factories can be injected to the patient, to produce a protein of interest directly in the diseased tissue. We engineered artificial cell-like particles with an autonomous capacity to synthesize protein drugs after receiving an external signal. The protein is tuned to the patient\u27s needs based on a predetermined DNA code we incorporate inside the particles. This approach increases treatment efficiency and reduces adverse effects to healthy tissues.
We developed a new T7-S30 based cell-free protein synthesis system, which contains all the transcription and translation machines and molecules required for protein production (Krinsky et al., PloS one 2016). This system was used to prepare liposomes that act as artificial cells, capable of producing proteins autonomously in response to a physical trigger. Functional enzymes (luciferase and tyrosinase) and fluorescent proteins (GFP) were successfully produced using the new cell-free protein synthesis system and inside the particles both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we demonstrated the therapeutic capabilities of the protein producing particles by producing Pseudomonas exotoxin A, an extremely potent protein, for treating cancer. Applying the particles on 4T1 cells (a triple-negative breast cancer cell-line) in vitro or injecting them into a 4T1-induced tumor in vivo, resulted in high cytotoxicity due to the effective production of the therapeutic protein inside the vesicles (Krinsky et al. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2017).
Synthetic cells serve as autonomous, trigger-able, artificial particles that produces a variety of proteins. This platform has promise to address a wide range of fundamental questions associated with protein synthesis in nature, as well as applicative protein delivery needs.
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The scientific payload of the Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite (ULTRASAT)
The Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite (ULTRASAT) is a space-borne
near UV telescope with an unprecedented large field of view (200 sq. deg.). The
mission, led by the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Israel Space Agency
in collaboration with DESY (Helmholtz association, Germany) and NASA (USA), is
fully funded and expected to be launched to a geostationary transfer orbit in
Q2/3 of 2025. With a grasp 300 times larger than GALEX, the most sensitive UV
satellite to date, ULTRASAT will revolutionize our understanding of the hot
transient universe, as well as of flaring galactic sources. We describe the
mission payload, the optical design and the choice of materials allowing us to
achieve a point spread function of ~10arcsec across the FoV, and the detector
assembly. We detail the mitigation techniques implemented to suppress
out-of-band flux and reduce stray light, detector properties including measured
quantum efficiency of scout (prototype) detectors, and expected performance
(limiting magnitude) for various objects.Comment: Presented in the SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 202