Feedback Loops in Opinion Dynamics of Agent-Based Models with Multiplicative Noise

We introduce an agent-based model for co-evolving opinions and social dynamics, under the influence of multiplicative noise. In this model, every agent is characterized by a position in a social space and a continuous opinion state variable. Agents’ movements are governed by the positions and opinions of other agents and similarly, the opinion dynamics are influenced by agents’ spatial proximity and their opinion similarity. Using numerical simulations and formal analyses, we study this feedback loop between opinion dynamics and the mobility of agents in a social space. We investigate the behaviour of this ABM in different regimes and explore the influence of various factors on the appearance of emerging phenomena such as group formation and opinion consensus. We study the empirical distribution, and, in the limit of infinite number of agents, we derive a corresponding reduced model given by a partial differential equation (PDE). Finally, using numerical examples, we show that a resulting PDE model is a good approximation of the original ABM

Feedback Loops in Opinion Dynamics of Agent-Based Models with Multiplicative Noise

We introduce an agent-based model for co-evolving opinion and social dynamics, under the influence of multiplicative noise. In this model, every agent is characterized by a position in a social space and a continuous opinion state variable. Agents' movements are governed by positions and opinions of other agents and similarly, the opinion dynamics is influenced by agents' spatial proximity and their opinion similarity. Using numerical simulations and formal analysis, we study this feedback loop between opinion dynamics and mobility of agents in a social space. We investigate the behavior of this ABM in different regimes and explore the influence of various factors on appearance of emerging phenomena such as group formation and opinion consensus. We study the empirical distribution and in the limit of infinite number of agents we derive a corresponding reduced model given by a partial differential equation (PDE). Finally, using numerical examples we show that a resulting PDE model is a good approximation of the original ABM

Therapeutic Delivery of rAAV sox9 via Polymeric Micelles Counteracts the Effects of Osteoarthritis-Associated Inflammatory Cytokines in Human Articular Chondrocytes

[Abstract] Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disease linked to the irreversible degradation of key extracellular cartilage matrix (ECM) components (proteoglycans, type-II collagen) by proteolytic enzymes due to an impaired tissue homeostasis, with the critical involvement of OA-associated pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1 beta, i.e., IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, i.e., TNF-α). Gene therapy provides effective means to re-establish such degraded ECM compounds by rejuvenating the altered OA phenotype of the articular chondrocytes, the unique cell population ubiquitous in the articular cartilage. In particular, overexpression of the highly specialized SOX9 transcription factor via recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors has been reported for its ability to readjust the metabolic balance in OA, in particular via controlled rAAV delivery using polymeric micelles as carriers to prevent a possible vector neutralization by antibodies present in the joints of patients. As little is known on the challenging effects of such naturally occurring OA-associated pro-inflammatory cytokines on such rAAV/polymeric gene transfer, we explored the capacity of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO)-based polymeric micelles to deliver a candidate rAAV-FLAG-hsox9 construct in human OA chondrocytes in the presence of IL-1β and TNF-α. We report that effective, micelle-guided rAAV sox9 overexpression enhanced the deposition of ECM components and the levels of cell survival, while advantageously reversing the deleterious effects afforded by the OA cytokines on these processes. These findings highlight the potentiality of polymeric micelles as effective rAAV controlled delivery systems to counterbalance the specific contribution of major OA-associated inflammatory cytokines, supporting the concept of using such systems for the treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases like OA.This research was funded by the DEUTSCHE FORSCHUNGSGEMEINSCHAFT (DFG RE 328/2-1 to A.R.R., M.C.).Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; DFG RE 328/2-

Feedback Loops in Opinion Dynamics of Agent-Based Models with Multiplicative Noise

We introduce an agent-based model for co-evolving opinions and social dynamics, under the influence of multiplicative noise. In this model, every agent is characterized by a position in a social space and a continuous opinion state variable. Agents’ movements are governed by the positions and opinions of other agents and similarly, the opinion dynamics are influenced by agents’ spatial proximity and their opinion similarity. Using numerical simulations and formal analyses, we study this feedback loop between opinion dynamics and the mobility of agents in a social space. We investigate the behaviour of this ABM in different regimes and explore the influence of various factors on the appearance of emerging phenomena such as group formation and opinion consensus. We study the empirical distribution, and, in the limit of infinite number of agents, we derive a corresponding reduced model given by a partial differential equation (PDE). Finally, using numerical examples, we show that a resulting PDE model is a good approximation of the original ABM

Revisiting f(R,T)f(R,T) cosmologies

We review the status of $f(R,T)$ theories, where $T$ is the trace of the energy momentum tensor $T^{\mu\nu}$, concerning the evolution of the cosmological flat Friedmann-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) background expansion. We start focusing on the modified Friedmann equations for the case of a minimally coupled gravitational Lagrangian of the type $f(R,T)=R +\alpha e^{\beta T} + \gamma_{n} T^{n}$. With this choice one is allowed to cover all existing proposals in the literature via four free parameters and all relevant $f(R,T)$ models as well as the $\Lambda$CDM model can be achieved in the appropriate limit. We show that in such minimally coupled case there exists a useful constraining relation between the effective fractionary total matter density with arbitrary equation of state parameter and the modified gravity parameters. Then, with this association the modified gravity sector can be independently constrained using estimations of the gas mass fraction in galaxy clusters. Using cosmological background data and demanding the universe is old enough to accommodate the existence of Galactic globular clusters with estimated age of at least $\sim 13$ Gyrs we find a narrow range of the modified gravity free parameter space in which this class of theories remains cosmologically viable. As expected, this preferred parameter space region accommodates the $\Lambda$CDM limit of $f(R,T)$ models. We also work out the non-minimally coupled case in the metric-affine formalism and find that there are no viable cosmologies in the latter situation.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

INCIDÊNCIA DA SÍNDROME DE BURNOUT NA ENFERMAGEM

The theme of this article is “the incidence of Burnout syndrome (BS) in the nursing profession”. The following problem was investigated: "Are nursing professionals harmed by Burnout syndrome in the discharge of their duties and their mental health?” The following hypothesis was considered: “BS influences negatively the work performance of nurses and the health sector in general.” The general objective of this work is to “analyze the prevalence of BS on nursing professionals.” The specific objectives are: "To conduct an assessment of the strategies to minimize BS in the nursing profession and to acquire an elevated understanding of BS.  Justification: This research is justified by the importance of recognizing the damage caused by BS on nursing professionals. In the academic and science fields, this work can serve as another research material for other studies in the areas of psychology and occupational medicine. In the society, the present work is justified by the effort to offer an elevated understanding of BS.O tema deste artigo é a Incidência da Síndrome de Burnout(SB) na enfermagem. Investigou o seguinte problema: os profissionais de enfermagem podem ser prejudicados pela SB no desempenho e na saúde mental? Cogitou a seguinte hipótese: a SB exerce efeitos negativos no desempenho dos profissionais e no setor de saúde em geral. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa é analisar a prevalência da SB em profissionais de enfermagem. Os objetivos específicos são: uma avaliação das estratégias de minimização da SB para os profissionais de enfermagem; e alcançar um entendimento elevado sobre a temática. Justificativa: justifica-se pela importância de reconhecer os danos da SB nos profissionais de enfermagem. No campo acadêmico, para a ciência, este trabalho pode servir como material de pesquisa para outros estudos nas áreas de psicologia e medicina do trabalho. Para a sociedade brasileira, a presente pesquisa justifica o esforço de oferecer um entendimento elevado da SB. Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica qualitativa teórica com duração de seis meses

O PAPEL DO ENFERMEIRO NA PROMOÇÃO DA SAÚDE DO HOMEM E A IMPORTÂNCIA DAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS DE SAÚDE

The theme of this article is the role of nurses in promoting men's health. The following problem was investigated: “how does the nurse encourage the promotion of men's health in health institutions?”. The following hypothesis was considered “the nurse is a fundamental element in the implementation of public health policies for men”. The general objective is to demonstrate the relevance of nurses in offering assistance to men. The specific objectives are: to understand the importance of nursing professionals in men's health and to describe public policies for such public. This work is important for an operator of the Law due to the fact that the understanding of the subject allows a better assistance, for science, it is relevant because it favors the improvement of the current assistance strategies; it adds to society due to the fact that better public policies favor better assistance. This is a qualitative theoretical research lasting six months.O tema deste artigo é o papel do enfermeiro na promoção da saúde do homem. Investigou-se o seguinte problema: “como o enfermeiro estimula a promoção da saúde do homem em instituições de saúde?”. Cogitou-se a seguinte hipótese “o enfermeiro constitui elemento fundamental na implementação de políticas públicas de saúde do homem”. O objetivo geral é demonstrar a relevância do enfermeiro na oferta de assistência ao homem. Os objetivos específicos são: compreender a importância do profissional de enfermagem na saúde do homem e descrever as políticas públicas para tal público. Este trabalho é importante para o profissional de Enfermagem devido ao fato de que o entendimento do tema permite uma melhor assistência, para a ciência, é relevante porque favorece a melhoria das atuais estratégias de atendimento; agrega à sociedade pelo fato de melhores políticas públicas favorecem uma melhor assistência. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa teórica com duração de seis meses

Effect of solar cycle 23 in foF2 trend estimation

The effect of including solar cycle 23 in foF2 trend estimation is assessed using experimental values for Slough (51.5°N, 359.4°E) and Kokobunji (35.7°N, 139.5°E), and values obtained from two models: (1) the Sheffield University Plasmasphere-Ionosphere model, SUPIM, and (2) the International Reference Ionosphere, IRI. The dominant influence on the F2 layer is solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, evinced by the almost 90% variance of its parameters explained by solar EUV proxies such as the solar activity indices Rz and F10.7. This makes necessary to filter out solar activity effects prior to long-term trend estimation. Solar cycle 23 seems to have had an EUV emission different from that deduced from traditional solar EUV proxies. During maximum and descending phase of the cycle, Rz and F10.7 seem to underestimate EUV solar radiation, while during minimum, they overestimate EUV levels. Including this solar cycle in trend estimations then, and using traditional filtering techniques, may induce some spurious results. In the present work, filtering is done in the usual way considering the residuals of the linear regression between foF2 and F10.7, for both experimental and modeled values. foF2 trends become less negative as we include years after 2000, since foF2 systematically exceeds the values predicted by a linear fit between foF2 and F10.7. Trends become more negative again when solar cycle 23 minimum is included, since for this period, foF2 is systematically lower than values predicted by the linear fit. foF2 trends assessed with modeled foF2 values are less strong than those obtained with experimental foF2 values and more stable as solar cycle 23 is included in the trend estimation. Modeled trends may be thought of as a ‘zero level’ trend due to the assumptions made in the process of trend estimation considering also that we are not dealing with ideal conditions or infinite time series.Fil: Elias, Ana Georgina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnologia. Departamento de Fisica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: de Haro Barbás, Blas F.. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnologia. Departamento de Fisica; ArgentinaFil: Shibasaki, Kiyoto . Nobeyama Solar Radio Observatory; JapónFil: Souza, Jonas R.. Centro de Previsao de Tempo E Estudos Climaticos. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; Brasi