296 research outputs found
Spectral Analysis and the Dynamic Response of Complex Networks
The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the connectivity matrix of complex
networks contain information about its topology and its collective behavior. In
particular, the spectral density of this matrix reveals
important network characteristics: random networks follow Wigner's semicircular
law whereas scale-free networks exhibit a triangular distribution. In this
paper we show that the spectral density of hierarchical networks follow a very
different pattern, which can be used as a fingerprint of modularity. Of
particular importance is the value , related to the homeostatic
response of the network: it is maximum for random and scale free networks but
very small for hierarchical modular networks. It is also large for an actual
biological protein-protein interaction network, demonstrating that the current
leading model for such networks is not adequate.Comment: 4 pages 14 figure
A High-Resolution Spectroscopic Search for the Remaining Donor for Tycho's Supernova
In this paper, we report on our analysis using Hubble Space Telescope
astrometry and Keck-I HIRES spectroscopy of the central six stars of Tycho's
supernova remnant (SN 1572). With these data, we measured the proper motions,
radial velocities, rotational velocities, and chemical abundances of these
objects. Regarding the chemical abundances, we do not confirm the unusu- ally
high [Ni/Fe] ratio previously reported for Tycho-G. Rather, we find that for
all metrics in all stars, none exhibit the characteristics expected from
traditional SN Ia single-degenerate-scenario calculations. The only possible
exception is Tycho-B, a rare, metal-poor A-type star; however, we are unable to
find a suitable scenario for it. Thus, we suggest that SN 1572 cannot be
explained by the standard single-degenerate model.Comment: 34 pages, 11 Figures, revised and resubmitted to Ap
A research and evaluation capacity building model in Western Australia
Evaluation of public health programs, services and policies is increasingly required to demonstrate effectiveness. Funding constraints necessitate that existing programs, services and policies be evaluated and their findings disseminated. Evidence-informed practice and policy is also desirable to maximise investments in public health. Partnerships between public health researchers, service providers and policymakers can help address evaluation knowledge and skills gaps. The Western Australian Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Applied Research and Evaluation Network (SiREN) aims to build research and evaluation capacity in the sexual health and blood-borne virus sector in Western Australia (WA). Partners’ perspectives of the SiREN model after 2 years were explored. Qualitative written responses from service providers, policymakers and researchers about the SiREN model were analysed thematically. Service providers reported that participation in SiREN prompted them to consider evaluation earlier in the planning process and increased their appreciation of the value of evaluation. Policymakers noted benefits of the model in generating local evidence and highlighting local issues of importance for consideration at a national level. Researchers identified challenges communicating the services available through SiREN and the time investment needed to develop effective collaborative partnerships. Stronger engagement between public health researchers, service providers and policymakers through collaborative partnerships has the potential to improve evidence generation and evidence translation. These outcomes require long-term funding and commitment from all partners to develop and maintain partnerships. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation can ensure the partnership remains responsive to the needs of key stakeholders. The findings are applicable to many sectors
Efficiency of Scale-Free Networks: Error and Attack Tolerance
The concept of network efficiency, recently proposed to characterize the
properties of small-world networks, is here used to study the effects of errors
and attacks on scale-free networks. Two different kinds of scale-free networks,
i.e. networks with power law P(k), are considered: 1) scale-free networks with
no local clustering produced by the Barabasi-Albert model and 2) scale-free
networks with high clustering properties as in the model by Klemm and Eguiluz,
and their properties are compared to the properties of random graphs
(exponential graphs). By using as mathematical measures the global and the
local efficiency we investigate the effects of errors and attacks both on the
global and the local properties of the network. We show that the global
efficiency is a better measure than the characteristic path length to describe
the response of complex networks to external factors. We find that, at variance
with random graphs, scale-free networks display, both on a global and on a
local scale, a high degree of error tolerance and an extreme vulnerability to
attacks. In fact, the global and the local efficiency are unaffected by the
failure of some randomly chosen nodes, though they are extremely sensititive to
the removal of the few nodes which play a crucial role in maintaining the
network's connectivity.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figure
A high-resolution spectroscopic search for the remaining donor for Tycho'S supernova
In this paper, we report on our analysis using Hubble Space Telescope astrometry and Keck-I HIRES spectroscopy of the central six stars of Tycho's supernova remnant (SN 1572). With these data, we measured the proper motions, radial velocities, rotationa
Variable structure control with chattering reduction of a generalized T-S model
In this paper, a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) based variable structure control (VSC) is presented. The main objective is to obtain an improved performance of highly non-linear unstable systems. New functions for chattering reduction and error convergence without sacrificing invariant properties are proposed. The main feature of the proposed method is that the switching function is added as an additional fuzzy variable and will be introduced in the premise part of the fuzzy rules; together with the
state variables.
In this work, a tuning of the well known weighting parameters approach is proposed to optimize local and global
approximation and modelling capability of the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model to improve the choice of the performance index and minimize it. The main problem encountered is that the T-S identification method can not be applied when the membership functions are overlapped by pairs. This in turn restricts the application of the T-S method because this type of membership function has been widely used in control applications. The approach developed here can be considered as a generalized version of the T-S method. An inverted pendulum mounted on a cart is chosen to evaluate the robustness, effectiveness, accuracy and remarkable performance of the proposed estimation approach in comparison with the original T-S model. Simulation results
indicate the potential, simplicity and generality of the estimation method and the robustness of the chattering reduction algorithm.
In this paper, we prove that the proposed estimation algorithm converge the very fast, thereby making it very practical to use. The application of the proposed FLC-VSC shows that both alleviation of chattering and robust performance are achieved
An Emerging Class of Bright, Fast-evolving Supernovae with Low-mass Ejecta
A recent analysis of supernova (SN) 2002bj revealed that it was an apparently
unique type Ib SN. It showed a high peak luminosity, with absolute magnitude
M_R -18.5, but an extremely fast-evolving light curve. It had a rise time of <7
days followed by a decline of 0.25 mag per day in B-band, and showed evidence
for very low mass of ejecta (<0.15 M_Sun). Here we discuss two additional
historical events, SN 1885A and SN 1939B, showing similarly fast light curves
and low ejected masses. We discuss the low mass of ejecta inferred from our
analysis of the SN 1885A remnant in M31, and present for the first time the
spectrum of SN 1939B. The old environments of both SN 1885A (in the bulge of
M31) and SN 1939B (in an elliptical galaxy with no traces of star formation
activity), strongly support old white dwarf progenitors for these SNe. We find
no clear evidence for helium in the spectrum of SN 1939B, as might be expected
from a helium-shell detonation on a white dwarf, suggested to be the origin of
SN 2002bj. Finally, the discovery of all the observed fast-evolving SNe in
nearby galaxies suggests that the rate of these peculiar SNe is at least 1-2 %
of all SNe.Comment: Additional analysis included. ApJ, in pres
Urbanization comprehensively impairs biological rhythms in coral holobionts
Coral reefs are in global decline due to climate change and anthropogenic influences (Hughes et al., Conservation Biology, 27: 261–269, 2013). Near coastal cities or other densely populated areas, coral reefs face a range of additional challenges. While considerable progress has been made in understanding coral responses to acute individual stressors (Dominoni et al., Nature Ecology & Evolution, 4: 502–511, 2020), the impacts of chronic exposure to varying combinations of sensory pollutants are largely unknown. To investigate the impacts of urban proximity on corals, we conducted a year-long in-natura study—incorporating sampling at diel, monthly, and seasonal time points—in which we compared corals from an urban area to corals from a proximal non-urban area. Here we reveal that despite appearing relatively healthy, natural biorhythms and environmental sensory systems were extensively disturbed in corals from the urban environment. Transcriptomic data indicated poor symbiont performance, disturbance to gametogenic cycles, and loss or shifted seasonality of vital biological processes. Altered seasonality patterns were also observed in the microbiomes of the urban coral population, signifying the impact of urbanization on the holobiont, rather than the coral host alone. These results should raise alarm regarding the largely unknown long-term impacts of sensory pollution on the resilience and survival of coral reefs close to coastal communities
Detection of circumstellar material in a normal Type Ia Supernova
Type Ia supernovae are thought to be thermonuclear explosions of accreting
white dwarfs that reach a critical mass limit. Despite their importance as
cosmological distance indicators, the nature of their progenitors has remained
controversial. Here we report the detection of circumstellar material in a
normal Type Ia supernova. The expansion velocities, densities and dimensions of
the circumstellar envelope indicate that this material was ejected from the
progenitor system. The relatively low expansion velocities appear to favor a
progenitor system where a white dwarf accretes material from a companion star
which is in the red-giant phase at the time of explosion.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Science. Full
resolution version at
http://www.hq.eso.org/~fpatat/science/sn06X/preprint.pdf . The original paper
can be found at http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/114300
A High-Resolution Spectrum of the Extremely Metal-Rich Bulge G-Dwarf OGLE-2006-BLG-265
We present an R=45,000 Keck spectrum of the microlensed Galactic bulge
G-dwarf OGLE-2006-BLG-265, which has a high (~60) signal-to-noise ratio despite
its short (15 min) exposure time because the source was magnified by A~135.
While it is very metal-rich ([Fe/H]=0.56), the higher temperature of this star
compared with the luminous red giants usually measured in the bulge gives its
spectrum many unblended atomic lines. We measure the abundances of 17 elements,
including the first abundances for S and Cu in a bulge star. The [alpha/Fe]
ratios are subsolar, while the odd-Z elements are slightly supersolar, trends
that are also seen in the more metal-rich stars in the bulge and the local
Galactic disk. Because the star is a dwarf, the [O/Fe], [Na/Fe], and [Al/Fe]
ratios cannot be attributed to internal mixing, as is sometimes claimed for
giants. Similar high-resolution spectra could be obtained for about a dozen
bulge dwarf stars per year by means of well-designed target-of-opportunity
observations.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, submitted to ApJ Letter
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