The Widened Pipe Model of plant hydraulic evolution

For most of its path through plant bodies, water moves in conduits in the wood. Plant water conduction is crucial for Earth’s biogeochemical cycles, making it important to understand how natural selection shapes conduit diameters along the entire lengths of plant stems. Can mathematical modeling and global sampling explain how wood conduits ought to widen from the tip of a plant to its trunk base? This question is evolutionarily important because xylem conduits should widen in a way that keeps water supply constant to the leaves as a plant grows taller. Moreover, selection should act on economy of construction costs of the conducting system. This issue is ecologically important because it helps suggest why climate change alters vegetation height worldwide.

Read the full article at: www.pnas.org

Multiscale & Integrative compleX Networks: EXperiments & Theories 2021. Satellite @CCS2021L

The aim of this Satellite meeting is to balance the contribution of well established leading experts and rising young researchers to review the recent advances in those research fields, with the aim of triggering and igniting new discussions on theoretical and computational solutions required to build a more comprehensive set of tools integrating different perspectives into one, coherent and self-consistent, framework for modeling and analysis of complex networks.
The list of topics that we aim to cover at the conference is the following:
– Mathematical properties of multiscale, multilayer and (hidden) geometric structures
– Empirical measurements for multiscale, multilayer and higher-order networks
– Applications of such models to biological, social, technological and urban systems

More at: manliodedomenico.com

Random heterogeneity outperforms design in network synchronization

Yuanzhao Zhang, Jorge L. Ocampo-Espindola, István Z. Kiss, and Adilson E. Motter

PNAS May 25, 2021 118 (21) e2024299118

Synchronization among interacting entities is a process that underlies the function of numerous systems, including circadian clocks and laser arrays. It is generally believed that homogeneity among the entities is beneficial for synchronization. This work shows theoretically, numerically, and experimentally that the opposite is not only possible but also common in systems with interaction delays. In such systems, heterogeneity among the entities is shown to promote synchronization, even when the heterogeneity is completely random. This finding advances our understanding of the interplay between order and disorder in the collective behavior of complex systems. We suggest that the phenomenon can be observed for diverse coupling schemes and has implications for real-world systems, where heterogeneity and delays are common and often unavoidable.

Read the full article at: www.pnas.org

UrbanSys2021: Transport, Smart Cities, Complexity and Urban Networks. @CCS2021L Satellite

Following a series of successful satellites organised at previous ECCS/CCS events (UrbanNet2013 at ECCS13, CitiNet 2014 at ECCS14, UrbanNet2015 at NetSci 2015, UrbanNet2016 at CCS2016,UrbanSys17 at CCS2017, UrbanSys18 at CCS2018, UrbanSys19 at CCS2019, UrbanNet2020 at NetSci 2020), the objective of the UrbanSys2021 workshop is to create a space for exchanging cutting edge results and innovative ideas on how to address problems and opportunities opened in urbanscapes applying network science and complex systems methods to both conventional and non conventional data. Particular attention will be devoted to new ICT-data approaches for improving the understanding of urban mobility networks and the definition of the urban space. These focuses may include land use, activity-driven analyses, city structure, socio-economic traits and characterization of the neighborhoods to name a few. Furthermore, attention will be paid to ad-hoc planning and management of urban infrastructures, transportation networks, energy and tourism planning, to mention other examples.

More at: urbansys2021.ifisc.uib-csic.es

Complex Systems Applications, Satellite Session @CCS2021L

OCTOBER 22 2021, ONLINE

Complexity science provides the framework for understanding the behavior of social and natural systems. However, there is a huge gap between understanding and applying the principles and methods from complexity science in order to solve real problems. In this satellite we will cover applications of complex systems in multiple domains. We expect to raise awareness about how to manage and intervene in complex systems, including the risk we face when societies become global, the opportunities that are created, and the role of complexity in strategies and analytics.

More at: sites.google.com