Percolation in networks with local homeostatic plasticity

Percolation is a process that impairs network connectedness by deactivating links or nodes. This process features a phase transition that resembles paradigmatic critical transitions in epidemic spreading, biological networks, traffic and transportation systems. Some biological systems, such as networks of neural cells, actively respond to percolation-like damage, which enables these structures to maintain their function after degradation and aging. Here we study percolation in networks that actively respond to link damage by adopting a mechanism resembling synaptic scaling in neurons. We explain critical transitions in such active networks and show that these structures are more resilient to damage as they are able to maintain a stronger connectedness and ability to spread information. Moreover, we uncover the role of local rescaling strategies in biological networks and indicate a possibility of designing smart infrastructures with improved robustness to perturbations.

Distance dance as an actor network

As a contribution to the critical and creative discussion regarding definitions and examples of how dance practices are being reimagined in the age of distance, this article focuses on possibilities and challenges with organizing virtual contemporary dance workshops for older adults. The aim of this article is to explore intra-actions within entanglements including older adult amateur dancers, a choreographer, homes, dance studios, the software zoom, devices, music, and dance during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Situations seen as webs of relations including the mentioned actors were created. To be able to describe how the constantly performed intra-active networks of dancers and other material actors were constituted, actor-network theory was applied. The results show specific trajectories that exemplifies intra-actions with the participants. The older adults became dancers that make meaning in their lives, even if the virtual trajectories possible to follow to some extent, are limited by the pandemic cursed distance

Recent developments on the realization of fractance device

A detailed analysis of the recent developments on the realization of fractance device is presented. A fractance device which is used to exhibit fractional order impedance properties finds applications in many branches of science and engineering. Realization of fractance device is a challenging job for the people working in this area. A term fractional order element, constant phase element, fractor, fractance, fractional order differintegrator, fractional order differentiator can be used interchangeably. In general, a fractance device can be realized in two ways. One is using rational approximations and the other is using capacitor physical realization principle. In this paper, an attempt is made to summarize the recent developments on the realization of fractance device. The various mathematical approximations are studied and a comparative analysis is also performed using MATLAB. Fourth order approximation is selected for the realization. The passive and active networks synthesized are simulated using TINA software. Various physical realizations of fractance device, their advantages and disadvantages are mentioned. Experimental results coincide with simulated results.

Cross-linkers at growing microtubule ends generate forces that drive actin transport

The actin and microtubule cytoskeletons form active networks in the cell that can contract and remodel, resulting in vital cellular processes as cell division and motility. Motor proteins play an important role in generating the forces required for these processes, but more recently the concept of passive cross-linkers being able to generate forces has emerged. So far, these passive cross-linkers have been studied in the context of separate actin and microtubule systems. Here, we show that cross-linkers also allow actin and microtubules to exert forces on each other. More specifically, we study single actin filaments that are cross-linked to growing microtubule ends, using in vitro reconstitution, computer simulations, and a minimal theoretical model. We show that microtubules can transport actin filaments over large (micrometer-range) distances, and find that this transport results from two antagonistic forces arising from the binding of cross-linkers to the overlap between the actin and microtubule filaments. The cross-linkers attempt to maximize the overlap between the actin and the tip of the growing microtubules, creating an affinity-driven forward condensation force, and simultaneously create a competing friction force along the microtubule lattice. We predict and verify experimentally how the average transport time depends on the actin filament length and the microtubule growth velocity, confirming the competition between a forward condensation force and a backward friction force. In addition, we theoretically predict and experimentally verify that the condensation force is of the order of 0.1pN. Thus, our results reveal a new mechanism for local actin remodelling by growing microtubules.

A Novel Multi-Area Distribution State Estimation Approach for Active Networks

This paper presents a hierarchically distributed algorithm for the execution of distribution state estimation function in active networks equipped with some phasor measurement units. The proposed algorithm employs voltage-based state estimation in rectangular form and is well-designed for large-scale active distribution networks. For this purpose, as the first step, the distribution network is supposed to be divided into some overlapped zones and local state estimations are executed in parallel for extracting operating states of these zones. Then, using coordinators in the feeders and the substation, the estimated local voltage profiles of all zones are coordinated with the local state estimation results of their neighboring zones. In this regard, each coordinator runs a state estimation process for the border buses (overlapped buses and buses with tie-lines) of its zones and based on the results for voltage phasor of border buses, the local voltage profiles in non-border buses of its zones are modified. The performance of the proposed algorithm is tested with an active distribution network, considering different combinations of operating conditions, network topologies, network decompositions, and measurement scenarios, and the results are presented and discussed.

Gain Expressions for Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer with One Electric Field Repeater

In this paper, the use of a repeater element between the transmitter and the receiver of a capacitive wireless power transfer system for achieving larger transfer distances is analyzed. A network formalism is adopted and the performance described by using the three power gains usually adopted in the context of two-port active networks. The analytical expressions of the gains as function of the network elements are derived. Assuming that the parameters of the link are given and fixed, including the coupling factors between transmitter, repeater and receiver, the conditions for maximizing the different gains by acting on the network terminating impedances (i.e., load and internal source conductance) are determined. The analytical formulas are verified through circuital simulations.

The role of the Arp2/3 complex in shaping the dynamics and structures of branched actomyosin networks

Actomyosin networks give cells the ability to move and divide. These networks contract and expand while being driven by active energy-consuming processes such as motor protein walking and actin polymerization. Actin dynamics is also regulated by actin-binding proteins, such as the actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex. This complex generates branched filaments, thereby changing the overall organization of the network. In this work, the spatiotemporal patterns of dynamical actin assembly accompanying the branching-induced reorganization caused by Arp2/3 were studied using a computational model (mechanochemical dynamics of active networks [MEDYAN]); this model simulates actomyosin network dynamics as a result of chemical reactions whose rates are modulated by rapid mechanical equilibration. We show that branched actomyosin networks relax significantly more slowly than do unbranched networks. Also, branched networks undergo rare convulsive movements, “avalanches,” that release strain in the network. These avalanches are associated with the more heterogeneous distribution of mechanically linked filaments displayed by branched networks. These far-from-equilibrium events arising from the marginal stability of growing actomyosin networks provide a possible mechanism of the “cytoquakes” recently seen in experiments.

2D-metal–organic coordination polymers of lanthanides (La(iii), Pr(iii) and Nd(iii)) with redox-active dioxolene bridging ligands

2D-coordination redox-active networks bearing t-Bu-substituted anilic bridged ligands and lanthanide ions were synthesized and characterized.