Bicyclic Graphs with the Second-Maximum and Third-Maximum Degree Resistance Distance

Let G = V , E be a connected graph. The resistance distance between two vertices u and v in G , denoted by R G u , v , is the effective resistance between them if each edge of G is assumed to be a unit resistor. The degree resistance distance of G is defined as D R G = ∑ u , v ⊆ V G d G u + d G v R G u , v , where d G u is the degree of a vertex u in G and R G u , v is the resistance distance between u and v in G . A bicyclic graph is a connected graph G = V , E with E = V + 1 . This paper completely characterizes the graphs with the second-maximum and third-maximum degree resistance distance among all bicyclic graphs with n ≥ 6 vertices.

The aesthetics of political resistance: On silent politics

This article analyses the aesthetics of silent political resistance by focusing on refugees’ silent political action. The starting point for the analysis is Jacques Rancière’s philosophy and his theorisation of the aesthetics of politics. The article enquires into the aesthetic meaning of silent refugee activism and interprets how refugees’ silent acts of resistance can constitute aesthetically effective resistance to what can be called the ‘speech system’ of statist, representative democracy. The article analyses silence as a political tactic and interprets the emancipatory meaning of silent politics for refugees. It argues that refugees’ silent acts of political resistance can powerfully affect aesthetic, political subversion in prevailing legal-political contexts.

The Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis: An Inadvertent, Unfortunate but Nevertheless Informative Experiment in Evolutionary Biology

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes is an exemplar for rapid evolutionary response. Resistance arises as a consequence of humanity’s widespread and largely indiscriminate use of antimicrobial compounds. However, some features of this crisis remain perplexing. The remarkably widespread and rapid rise of diverse, novel and effective resistance phenotypes is in stark contrast to the apparent paucity of antimicrobial producers in the global microbiota. From the viewpoint of evolutionary theory, it should be possible to use selection coefficients to examine these phenomena. In this work we introduce an elaboration on the selection coefficient s termed selective efficiency, considering the genetic, metabolic, ecological and evolutionary impacts that accompany selective phenotypes. We then demonstrate the utility of the selective efficiency concept using AMR and antimicrobial production phenotypes as ‘worked examples’ of the concept. In accomplishing this objective, we also put forward cogent hypotheses to explain currently puzzling aspects of the AMR crisis. Finally, we extend the selective efficiency concept into a consideration of the ongoing management of the AMR crisis.