We introduce a mathematical model for the study of cooperative control problems for multiple autonomous air vehicles (AAVs) connected via a communication network. We propose a cooperative control strategy based on task-load balancing that seeks to ensure that no vehicle is underutilized and we show how to characterize task-load balancing as a stability property. Then, using Lyapunov stability analysis, we provide conditions under which task-load balancing is achieved even in the presence of communication delays. Finally, we investigate performance properties of the cooperative controller using Monte Carlo simulations. This shows the benefits of cooperation and the effects of network delays and communication topology on performance

We propose a method for detecting large events based on the structure of temporal communication networks. Our method is motivated by findings that viral information spreading has distinct diffusion patterns with respect to community structure. Namely, we hypothesize that global events trigger viral information cascades that easily cross community boundaries and can thus be detected by monitoring intra- and inter-community communications. By comparing the amount of communication within and across communities, we show that it is possible to detect events, even when they do not trigger a significantly larger communication volume. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method using two examples—the email communication network of Enron and the Twitter communication network during the Boston Marathon bombing.

This note introduces a model of a generic team formation problem. We derive general conditions under which a group of scattered decision-making agents converge to a particular distribution. The desired distribution is achieved when the agents divide themselves into a fixed number of sub-groups while consenting on “gains” which are associated to every subgroup. The model allows us to quantify the impact of limited sensing, motion, and communication capabilities on the rate at which the distribution is achieved. Finally, we show how this theory is useful in solving a cooperative surveillance problem.

Background: This paper proposes a workflow to identify genes that respond to specific treatments in plants. The workflow takes as input the RNA sequencing read counts and phenotypical data of different genotypes, measured under control and treatment conditions. It outputs a reduced group of genes marked as relevant for treatment response. Technically, the proposed approach is both a generalization and an extension of WGCNA. It aims to identify specific modules of overlapping communities underlying the co-expression network of genes. Module detection is achieved by using Hierarchical Link Clustering. The overlapping nature of the systems’ regulatory domains that generate co-expression can be identified by such modules. LASSO regression is employed to analyze phenotypic responses of modules to treatment.Results: The workflow is applied to rice (Oryza sativa), a major food source known to be highly sensitive to salt stress. The workflow identifies 19 rice genes that seem relevant in the response to salt stress. They are distributed across 6 modules: 3 modules, each grouping together 3 genes, are associated to shoot K content; 2 modules of 3 genes are associated to shoot biomass; and 1 module of 4 genes is associated to root biomass. These genes represent target genes for the improvement of salinity tolerance in rice.Conclusions: A more effective framework to reduce the search-space for target genes that respond to a specific treatment is introduced. It facilitates experimental validation by restraining efforts to a smaller subset of genes of high potential relevance.