Coupling disorder in a population of swarmalators.

We consider a population of two-dimensional oscillators with random couplings and explore the collective states. The coupling strength between oscillators is randomly quenched with two values, one of which is positive while the other is negative, and the oscillators can spatially move depending on the state variables for phase and position. We find that the system shows the phase transition from the incoherent state to the fully synchronized one at a proper ratio of the number of positive couplings to the total. The threshold is numerically measured and analytically predicted by the linear stability analysis of the fully synchronized state. It is found that the random couplings induce the long-term state patterns appearing for constant strength. The oscillators move to the places where the randomly quenched couplings work as if annealed. We further observe that the system with mixed randomnesses for quenched couplings shows the combination of the deformed patterns understandable with each annealed average.

The influence of propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia on postoperative outcomes in end-stage renal disease patients: A retrospective observation study.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether the anesthetic method of propofol total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is associated with postoperative outcome in ESRD patients, we evaluated the incidence of postoperative major adverse cardiac events (MACE), comparing propofol TIVA versus anesthesia with volatile anesthesia in ESRD patients. METHODS: Retrospectively, we identified cases with ESRD patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into those who received only volatile anesthesia (volatile group) and those who received only propofol TIVA (TIVA group). The incidence of MACE and potential confounding variables were compared separately in a univariate logistic model and subsequently by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the 2576 cases in ESRD patients, 1374 were in the TIVA group and 1202 were in the volatile group. The multivariate analysis included 12 factors, including the anesthesia method, of which five factors were significant. Factors that were associated with a significantly lower MACE risk included preoperative chloride concentration (OR: 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99), baseline SBP (OR: 0.98; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99), and propofol TIVA (OR: 0.37; 95% CI, 0.22-0.60). CONCLUSIONS: We inferred that the anesthetic method associated with the postoperative outcome in patients with ESRD.

Collective steady-state patterns of swarmalators with finite-cutoff interaction distance.

We study the steady-state patterns of population of the coupled oscillators that sync and swarm, where the interaction distances among the oscillators have a finite-cutoff in the interaction distance. We examine how the static patterns known in the infinite-cutoff are reproduced or deformed and explore a new static pattern that does not appear until a finite-cutoff is considered. All steady-state patterns of the infinite-cutoff, static sync, static async, and static phase wave are repeated in space for proper finite-cutoff ranges. Their deformation in shape and density takes place for the other finite-cutoff ranges. Bar-like phase wave states are observed, which has not been the case for the infinite-cutoff. All the patterns are investigated via numerical and theoretical analyses.

Nonequilibrium steady states in Langevin thermal systems.

Equilibrium is characterized by its fundamental properties, such as the detailed balance, the fluctuation-dissipation relation, and no heat dissipation. Based on the stochastic thermodynamics, we show that these three properties are equivalent to each other in conventional Langevin thermal systems with microscopic reversibility. Thus, a conventional steady state has either all three properties (equilibrium) or none of them (nonequilibrium). In contrast, with velocity-dependent forces breaking the microscopic reversibility, we prove that the detailed balance and the fluctuation-dissipation relation mutually exclude each other, and no equivalence relation is possible between any two of the three properties. This implies that a steady state of Langevin systems with velocity-dependent forces may maintain some equilibrium properties but not all of them. Our results are illustrated with a few example systems.

Quantitative super-resolution localization microscopy of DNA in situ using Vybrant® DyeCycle™ Violet fluorescent probe.

Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) is a recently emerged optical imaging method that was shown to achieve a resolution in the order of tens of nanometers in intact cells. Novel high resolution imaging methods might be crucial for understanding of how the chromatin, a complex of DNA and proteins, is arranged in the eukaryotic cell nucleus. Such an approach utilizing switching of a fluorescent, DNA-binding dye Vybrant® DyeCycle™ Violet has been previously demonstrated by us (Zurek-Biesiada et al., 2015) [1]. Here we provide quantitative information on the influence of the chemical environment on the behavior of the dye, discuss the variability in the DNA-associated signal density, and demonstrate direct proof of enhanced structural resolution. Furthermore, we compare different visualization approaches. Finally, we describe various opportunities of multicolor DNA/SMLM imaging in eukaryotic cell nuclei.

Localization microscopy of DNA in situ using Vybrant(®) DyeCycle™ Violet fluorescent probe: A new approach to study nuclear nanostructure at single molecule resolution.

Higher order chromatin structure is not only required to compact and spatially arrange long chromatids within a nucleus, but have also important functional roles, including control of gene expression and DNA processing. However, studies of chromatin nanostructures cannot be performed using conventional widefield and confocal microscopy because of the limited optical resolution. Various methods of superresolution microscopy have been described to overcome this difficulty, like structured illumination and single molecule localization microscopy. We report here that the standard DNA dye Vybrant(®) DyeCycle™ Violet can be used to provide single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) images of DNA in nuclei of fixed mammalian cells. This SMLM method enabled optical isolation and localization of large numbers of DNA-bound molecules, usually in excess of 10(6) signals in one cell nucleus. The technique yielded high-quality images of nuclear DNA density, revealing subdiffraction chromatin structures of the size in the order of 100nm; the interchromatin compartment was visualized at unprecedented optical resolution. The approach offers several advantages over previously described high resolution DNA imaging methods, including high specificity, an ability to record images using a single wavelength excitation, and a higher density of single molecule signals than reported in previous SMLM studies. The method is compatible with DNA/multicolor SMLM imaging which employs simple staining methods suited also for conventional optical microscopy.

Single molecule localization microscopy of the distribution of chromatin using Hoechst and DAPI fluorescent probes.

Several approaches have been described to fluorescently label and image DNA and chromatin in situ on the single-molecule level. These superresolution microscopy techniques are based on detecting optically isolated, fluorescently tagged anti-histone antibodies, fluorescently labeled DNA precursor analogs, or fluorescent dyes bound to DNA. Presently they suffer from various drawbacks such as low labeling efficiency or interference with DNA structure. In this report, we demonstrate that DNA minor groove binding dyes, such as Hoechst 33258, Hoechst 33342, and DAPI, can be effectively employed in single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) with high optical and structural resolution. Upon illumination with low intensity 405 nm light, a small subpopulation of these molecules stochastically undergoes photoconversion from the original blue-emitting form to a green-emitting form. Using a 491 nm laser excitation, fluorescence of these green-emitting, optically isolated molecules was registered until "bleached". This procedure facilitated substantially the optical isolation and localization of large numbers of individual dye molecules bound to DNA in situ, in nuclei of fixed mammalian cells, or in mitotic chromosomes, and enabled the reconstruction of high-quality DNA density maps. We anticipate that this approach will provide new insights into DNA replication, DNA repair, gene transcription, and other nuclear processes.

Degree-ordered percolation on a hierarchical scale-free network.

We investigate the critical phenomena of the degree-ordered percolation (DOP) model on the hierarchical (u,v) flower network with u ≤ v. Highest degree nodes are linked directly without intermediate nodes for u=1, while this is not the case for u ≠ 1. Using the renormalization-group-like procedure, we derive the recursion relations for the percolating probability and the percolation order parameter, from which the percolation threshold and the critical exponents are obtained. When u ≠ 1, the DOP critical behavior turns out to be identical to that of the bond percolation with a shifted nonzero percolation threshold. When u=1, the DOP and the bond percolation have the same vanishing percolation threshold but the critical behaviors are different. Implication to an epidemic spreading phenomenon is discussed.

A Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs versus Acetaminophen in Symptom Relief for the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial Studies.

BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen are widely used for common cold symptom relief. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of acetaminophen and NSAIDs in common cold symptom relief using meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL, KMbase, KoreaMed, National Assembly Library, and Riss4u for studies released through June 2012. Two authors independently extracted the data. To assess the risk of bias, the Cochrane Collaborations risk of bias tool was used. The Review Manager ver. 5.1 (RevMan) was used for statistics. RESULTS: We identified 5 studies. The relative benefit for participants with pain relief was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96 to 1.05) and I(2) = 0%. The existence of the heterogeneity between studies was not important in this study, thus subgroup analysis was not implemented. The relative benefit for participants with rhinorrhea was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.77 to 1.35) and I(2) = 0%, which also indicates the existence of heterogeneity was not important. The relative risk of adverse events was 1.14 (95% CI, 0.93 to 1.40), I(2) = 0%. There was no apparent asymmetry in the funnel plot. CONCLUSION: There was no difference between NSAIDs and acetaminophen in common cold symptom relief.

Epidemic threshold of the susceptible-infected-susceptible model on complex networks.

We demonstrate that the susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) model on complex networks can have an inactive Griffiths phase characterized by a slow relaxation dynamics. It contrasts with the mean-field theoretical prediction that the SIS model on complex networks is active at any nonzero infection rate. The dynamic fluctuation of infected nodes, ignored in the mean field approach, is responsible for the inactive phase. It is proposed that the question whether the epidemic threshold of the SIS model on complex networks is zero or not can be resolved by the percolation threshold in a model where nodes are occupied in degree-descending order. Our arguments are supported by the numerical studies on scale-free network models.

Interleukin-21 receptor gene polymorphisms in kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R) gene polymorphism is related with the development of systemic vasculitis. In this study, we investigated the polymorphisms of IL-21R gene in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We genotyped the promoter region of IL-21R gene (-2500 bp to +1 bp) in 100 patients with KD and 100 healthy controls. All study subjects were Korean. We designed five pairs of primers and performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. We analyzed whole promoter sequences of 200 individuals with comparison to reference sequences of IL-21R gene (NG_012222.1/NC_000016.9). RESULTS: We found five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of which minor allele frequency (MAF) >0.01 in the promoter region of IL-21R gene. Those are -1681 G>T (chromosome site 27411802), -379 G>A (27413104), -332 G>C (27413151, rs2214537), -237 A>T (27413246), and -53 G>A (27413430). There is no significant difference in MAF of each SNP between patients with KD and healthy controls except -237 A>T. Twenty five patients with KD had more than 1 SNP in contrast to only seven healthy controls had. The patients with KD have significantly more IL-21R gene polymorphisms than controls (odds ratio: 3.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.6-5.6, p=0.0005). There was no significant correlation between IL-21R gene polymorphisms and the serum level of IL-21. The serum level of total IgE was not significantly correlated with the presence of IL-21R gene polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the genetic susceptibility profile for KD may include IL-21R gene.

Fluctuation theorems and entropy production with odd-parity variables.

We show that the total entropy production in stochastic processes with odd-parity variables (under time reversal) is separated into three parts, only two of which satisfy the integral fluctuation theorems in general. One is the usual excess contribution that can appear only transiently and is called nonadiabatic. Another one is attributed solely to the breakage of detailed balance. The last part that does not satisfy the fluctuation theorem comes from the steady-state distribution asymmetry for odd-parity variables that is activated in a nontransient manner. The latter two parts combine together as the housekeeping (adiabatic) contribution, whose positivity is not guaranteed except when the excess contribution completely vanishes. Our finding reveals that the equilibrium requires the steady-state distribution symmetry for odd-parity variables independently, in addition to the usual detailed balance.

Percolation transitions with nonlocal constraint.

We investigate percolation transitions in a nonlocal network model numerically. In this model, each node has an exclusive partner and a link is forbidden between two nodes whose r-neighbors share any exclusive pair. The r-neighbor of a node x is defined as a set of at most N(r) neighbors of x, where N is the total number of nodes. The parameter r controls the strength of a nonlocal effect. The system is found to undergo a percolation transition belonging to the mean-field universality class for r<1/2. On the other hand, for r>1/2, the system undergoes a peculiar phase transition from a nonpercolating phase to a quasicritical phase where the largest cluster size G scales as G~N(α) with α=0.74(1). In the marginal case with r=1/2, the model displays a percolation transition that does not belong to the mean-field universality class.

Continuity of the explosive percolation transition.

The explosive percolation problem on the complete graph is investigated via extensive numerical simulations. We obtain the cluster-size distribution at the moment when the cluster size heterogeneity becomes maximum. The distribution is found to be well described by the power-law form with the decay exponent τ=2.06(2), followed by a hump. We then use the finite-size scaling method to make all the distributions at various system sizes up to N=2(37) collapse perfectly onto a scaling curve characterized solely by the single exponent τ. We also observe that the instant of that collapse converges to a well-defined percolation threshold from below as N→∞. Based on these observations, we show that the explosive percolation transition in the model should be continuous, contrary to the widely spread belief of its discontinuity.

Scaling of cluster heterogeneity in percolation transitions.

We investigate a critical scaling law for the cluster heterogeneity H in site and bond percolations in d-dimensional lattices with d = 2,...,6. The cluster heterogeneity is defined as the number of distinct cluster sizes. As an occupation probability p increases, the cluster size distribution evolves from a monodisperse distribution to a polydisperse one in the subcritical phase, and back to a monodisperse one in the supercritical phase. We show analytically that H diverges algebraically, approaching the percolation critical point p(c) as H |p-p(c)|(-1/σ) with the critical exponent σ associated with the characteristic cluster size. Interestingly, its finite-size-scaling behavior is governed by a new exponent ν H = 1+d (f)/(d)ν, where d(f) is the fractal dimension of the critical percolating cluster and ν is the correlation length exponent. The corresponding scaling variable defines a singular path to the critical point. All results are confirmed by numerical simulations.

Collective helping and bystander effects in coevolving helping networks.

We study collective helping behavior and bystander effects in a coevolving helping network model. A node and a link of the network represents an agent who renders or receives help and a friendly relation between agents, respectively. A helping trial of an agent depends on relations with other involved agents and its result (success or failure) updates the relation between the helper and the recipient. We study the network link dynamics and its steady states analytically and numerically. The full phase diagram is presented with various kinds of active and inactive phases and the nature of phase transitions are explored. We find various interesting bystander effects, consistent with the field study results, of which the underlying mechanism is proposed.

Mechanical restriction versus human overreaction triggering congested traffic states.

A new cellular automaton traffic model is presented. The focus is on mechanical restrictions of vehicles realized by limited acceleration and deceleration capabilities. These features are incorporated into the model in order to construct the condition of collision-free movement. The strict collision-free criterion imposed by the mechanical restrictions is softened in certain traffic situations, reflecting human overreaction. It is shown that the present model reliably reproduces most empirical findings including synchronized flow, the so-called pinch effect, and the time-headway distribution of free flow. The findings suggest that many free flow phenomena can be attributed to the platoon formation of vehicles (platoon effect).