Optimal Allocation of Node Capacity in Cascade-Robustness Networks.

The robustness of large scale critical infrastructures, which can be modeled as complex networks, is of great significance. One of the most important means to enhance robustness is to optimize the allocation of resources. Traditional allocation of resources is mainly based on the topology information, which is neither realistic nor systematic. In this paper, we try to build a framework for searching for the most favorable pattern of node capacity allocation to reduce the vulnerability to cascading failures at a low cost. A nonlinear and multi-objective optimization model is proposed and tackled using a particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO). It is found that the network becomes more robust and economical when less capacity is left on the heavily loaded nodes and the optimized network performs better resisting noise. Our work is helpful in designing a robust economical network.

Non-surgical repair of ventricular septal rupture after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) following myocardial infarction is a rare complication with high mortality. Although transcatheter closure has emerged as a less invasive method of VSR closure, the optimal timing and technique remain unclear. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective, cohort study. Eleven patients that underwent transcatheter closure of post-AMI VSR from 2006 to 2013 at the Second Xiangya Hospital were included in this study. The clinical, procedural, and outcome data were analyzed. RESULTS: VSR occurred in 4 patients at anterior, 4 at posterior, and 3 at apical ventricular septum. Atrial Septal Defect occluder was used in 2 patients, muscular Ventricular Septal Defect occluder was used in 6 patients, and Patent Ductus Arteriosus occluder was used in 3 patients. The median time between VSR diagnosis and transcatheter closure was 18 days (range, 13-30 days). The median size of the VSR was 12 mm (range, 8-17 mm). The occlusion device was deployed successfully in 10 of 11 patients. Three patients died between zero and seven days after the procedure (30-day mortality, 27.3%). Eight patients survived during a follow-up of 150-1960 days. A follow-up TTE showed no residual shunt in three patients and a trivial or small residual shunt in five patients. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of post-AMI VSR using Atrial Septal Defect, Ventricular Septal Defect, and Patent Ductus Arteriosus occluders is feasible and effective. If the clinical conditions permit, intervention can be delayed to the late phase (>2-3 weeks) after VSR diagnosis.

Visual and auditory reaction time for air traffic controllers using quantitative electroencephalograph (QEEG) data.

The use of quantitative electroencephalograph in the analysis of air traffic controllers' performance can reveal with a high temporal resolution those mental responses associated with different task demands. To understand the relationship between visual and auditory correct responses, reaction time, and the corresponding brain areas and functions, air traffic controllers were given an integrated visual and auditory continuous reaction task. Strong correlations were found between correct responses to the visual target and the theta band in the frontal lobe, the total power in the medial of the parietal lobe and the theta-to-beta ratio in the left side of the occipital lobe. Incorrect visual responses triggered activations in additional bands including the alpha band in the medial of the frontal and parietal lobes, and the Sensorimotor Rhythm in the medial of the parietal lobe. Controllers' responses to visual cues were found to be more accurate but slower than their corresponding performance on auditory cues. These results suggest that controllers are more susceptible to overload when more visual cues are used in the air traffic control system, and more errors are pruned as more auditory cues are used. Therefore, workload studies should be carried out to assess the usefulness of additional cues and their interactions with the air traffic control environment.