29 research outputs found

    Dimension reduction of noisy interacting systems

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    We consider a class of models describing an ensemble of identical interacting agents subject to multiplicative noise. In the thermodynamic limit, these systems exhibit continuous and discontinuous phase transitions in a, generally, nonequilibrium setting. We provide a systematic dimension reduction methodology for constructing low-dimensional, reduced-order dynamics based on the cumulants of the probability distribution of the infinite system. We show that the low-dimensional dynamics returns the correct diagnostic properties since it produces a quantitatively accurate representation of the stationary phase diagram of the system that we compare with exact analytical results and numerical simulations. Moreover, we prove that the reduced order dynamics yields also the prognostic, i.e., time-dependent properties, as it provides the correct response of the system to external perturbations. On the one hand, this validates the use of our complexity reduction methodology since it retains information not only of the invariant measure of the system but also of the transition probabilities and time-dependent correlation properties of the stochastic dynamics. On the other hand, the breakdown of linear response properties is a key signature of the occurence of a phase transition. We show that the reduced response operators capture the correct diverging resonant behavior by quantitatively assessing the singular nature of the susceptibility of the system and the appearance of a pole for real values of frequencies. Hence, this methodology can be interpreted as a low-dimensional, reduced order approach to the investigation and detection of critical phenomena in high-dimensional interacting systems in settings where order parameters are not known

    H2S biosynthesis and catabolism: new insights from molecular studies

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    Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has profound biological effects within living organisms and is now increasingly being considered alongside other gaseous signalling molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Conventional use of pharmacological and molecular approaches has spawned a rapidly growing research field that has identified H2S as playing a functional role in cell-signalling and post-translational modifications. Recently, a number of laboratories have reported the use of siRNA methodologies and genetic mouse models to mimic the loss of function of genes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of H2S within tissues. Studies utilising these systems are revealing new insights into the biology of H2S within the cardiovascular system, inflammatory disease, and in cell signalling. In light of this work, the current review will describe recent advances in H2S research made possible by the use of molecular approaches and genetic mouse models with perturbed capacities to generate or detoxify physiological levels of H2S gas within tissue

    The TraTTo project: paths and pastures from prehistory to modern times in Southern Tuscany: research approaches and activities

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    The paper presents the interdisciplinary approach developed for the TraTTo project (acronym of Transhumance and Territory in Toscana) related to the study of transhumance’s paths and pastures in Southern Tuscany in a long-term perspective, from prehistory to modern times. The project is carried on by a research group of the Department of History and Cultural Heritage of the University of Siena in collaboration with the École Française of Rome. The TraTTo project is dedicated to analysing features of Tuscan transhumance through a landscape archaeology perspective and using a strong GIS structure for analyses and data-gathering based on historical, archaeological and cartographic sources. In this paper we present some results of the activities, including field survey and archive researche
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