Node counting in wireless ad-hoc networks

We study wireless ad-hoc networks consisting of small microprocessors with limited memory, where the wireless communication between the processors can be highly unreliable. For this setting, we propose a number of algorithms to estimate the number of nodes in the network, and the number of direct neighbors of each node. The algorithms are simulated, allowing comparison of their performance

The 106Cd(α, α)106Cd elastic scattering in a wide energy range for γ process studies

Date of Acceptance: 15/04/2015Alpha elastic scattering angular distributions of the 106Cd(α, α)106Cd reaction were measured at three energies around the Coulomb barrier to provide a sensitive test for the α + nucleus optical potential parameter sets. Furthermore, the new high precision angular distributions, together with the data available from the literature were used to study the energy dependence of the locally optimized α + nucleus optical potential in a wide energy region ranging from ELab=27.0MeV down to 16.1 MeV.The potentials under study are a basic prerequisite for the prediction of α-induced reaction cross sections and thus, for the calculation of stellar reaction rates used for the astrophysical γ process. Therefore, statistical model predictions using as input the optical potentials discussed in the present work are compared to the available 106Cd + alpha cross section data.Peer reviewe

A class of pairwise models for epidemic dynamics on weighted networks

In this paper, we study the $SIS$ (susceptible-infected-susceptible) and $SIR$ (susceptible-infected-removed) epidemic models on undirected, weighted networks by deriving pairwise-type approximate models coupled with individual-based network simulation. Two different types of theoretical/synthetic weighted network models are considered. Both models start from non-weighted networks with fixed topology followed by the allocation of link weights in either (i) random or (ii) fixed/deterministic way. The pairwise models are formulated for a general discrete distribution of weights, and these models are then used in conjunction with network simulation to evaluate the impact of different weight distributions on epidemic threshold and dynamics in general. For the $SIR$ dynamics, the basic reproductive ratio $R_0$ is computed, and we show that (i) for both network models $R_{0}$ is maximised if all weights are equal, and (ii) when the two models are equally matched, the networks with a random weight distribution give rise to a higher $R_0$ value. The models are also used to explore the agreement between the pairwise and simulation models for different parameter combinations

Oscillations in Arcturus from WIRE photometry

Observations of the red giant Arcturus (Alpha Boo) obtained with the star tracker on the Wide Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) satellite during a baseline of 19 successive days in 2000 July-August are analysed. The amplitude spectrum has a significant excess of power at low-frequencies. The highest peak is at about 4.1 micro-Hz (2.8 d), which is in agreement with previous ground-based radial velocity studies. The variability of Arcturus can be explained by sound waves, but it is not clear whether these are coherent p-mode oscillations or a single mode with a short life-time.Comment: 6 pages, 1 Latex file, 4 .eps figures, 2 .sty files, ApJL, 591, L151 See erratum (astro-ph/0308424

A Generic Framework and Methodology for Implementing Science Gateways for Analysing Molecular Docking Results

Molecular docking and virtual screening experiments require large computational and data resources and high-level user interfaces in the form of science gateways. While science gateways supporting such experiments are relatively common, there is a clearly identified need to design and implement more complex environments for further analysis of docking results. This paper describes a generic framework and a related methodology that supports the efficient development of such environments. The framework is modular enabling the reuse of already existing components. The methodology is agile and encourages the input and participation of end-users. A prototype implementation, based on the framework and methodology, of a science-gateway-based molecular docking environment for recommending a ligand-protein pair for next docking experiment is also presented and evaluated

Molecular docking with Raccoon2 on clouds: extending desktop applications with cloud computing

Molecular docking is a computer simulation that predicts the binding affinity between two molecules, a ligand and a receptor. Large-scale docking simulations, using one receptor and many ligands, are known as structure-based virtual screening. Often used in drug discovery, virtual screening can be very computationally demanding. This is why user-friendly domain-specific web or desktop applications that enable running simulations on powerful computing infrastructures have been created. Cloud computing provides on-demand availability, pay-per-use pricing, and great scalability which can improve the performance and efficiency of scientific applications. This paper investigates how domain-specific desktop applications can be extended to run scientific simulations on various clouds. A generic approach based on scientific workflows is proposed, and a proof of concept is implemented using the Raccoon2 desktop application for virtual screening, WS-PGRADE workflows, and gUSE services with the CloudBroker platform. The presented analysis illustrates that this approach of extending a domain-specific desktop application can run workflows on different types of clouds, and indeed makes use of the on-demand scalability provided by cloud computing. It also facilitates the execution of virtual screening simulations by life scientists without requiring them to abandon their favourite desktop environment and providing them resources without major capital investment

Determination of confusion noise for far-infrared measurements

We present a detailed assessment of the far-infrared confusion noise imposed on measurements with the ISOPHOT far-infrared detectors and cameras aboard the ISO satellite. We provide confusion noise values for all measurement configurations and observing modes of ISOPHOT in the 90<=lambda<=200um wavelength range. Based on these results we also give estimates for cirrus confusion noise levels at the resolution limits of current and future instruments of infrared space telescopes: Spitzer/MIPS, ASTRO-F/FIS and Herschel/PACS.Comment: A&A accepted; FITS files and appendices are available at: http://www.konkoly.hu/staff/pkisscs/confnoise

Investigation of alpha-nuclear potential families from elastic scattering experiments

In this work we present the continuation of the reported analysis [1] of the experimentally measured angular distributions of the reaction Cd-106(alpha, alpha)Cd-106 at several different energies around the Coulomb barrier. The difficulties that arise in the study of Cd-106-alpha-nuclear potential and the so called Family Problem are addressed

Non-radial oscillations in M-giant semi-regular variables: Stellar models and Kepler observations

The success of asteroseismology relies heavily on our ability to identify the frequency patterns of stellar oscillation modes. For stars like the Sun this is relatively easy because the mode frequencies follow a regular pattern described by a well-founded asymptotic relation. When a solar like star evolves off the main sequence and onto the red giant branch its structure changes dramatically resulting in changes in the frequency pattern of the modes. We follow the evolution of the adiabatic frequency pattern from the main sequence to near the tip of the red giant branch for a series of models. We find a significant departure from the asymptotic relation for the non-radial modes near the red giant branch tip, resulting in a triplet frequency pattern. To support our investigation we analyze almost four years of Kepler data of the most luminous stars in the field (late K and early M type) and find that their frequency spectra indeed show a triplet pattern dominated by dipole modes even for the most luminous stars in our sample. Our identification explains previous results from ground-based observations reporting fine structure in the Petersen diagram and sub ridges in the period-luminosity diagram. Finally, we find `new ridges' of non-radial modes with frequencies below the fundamental mode in our model calculations, and we speculate they are related to f modes.Comment: 8 page, 5 figures, accepted by ApJL (ApJ, 788, L10

Characterizations of quasitrivial symmetric nondecreasing associative operations

We provide a description of the class of n-ary operations on an arbitrary chain that are quasitrivial, symmetric, nondecreasing, and associative. We also prove that associativity can be replaced with bisymmetry in the definition of this class. Finally we investigate the special situation where the chain is finite