On Logical Depth and the Running Time of Shortest Programs

The logical depth with significance $b$ of a finite binary string $x$ is the shortest running time of a binary program for $x$ that can be compressed by at most $b$ bits. There is another definition of logical depth. We give two theorems about the quantitative relation between these versions: the first theorem concerns a variation of a known fact with a new proof, the second theorem and its proof are new. We select the above version of logical depth and show the following. There is an infinite sequence of strings of increasing length such that for each $j$ there is a $b$ such that the logical depth of the $j$th string as a function of $j$ is incomputable (it rises faster than any computable function) but with $b$ replaced by $b+1$ the resuling function is computable. Hence the maximal gap between the logical depths resulting from incrementing appropriate $b$'s by 1 rises faster than any computable function. All functions mentioned are upper bounded by the Busy Beaver function. Since for every string its logical depth is nonincreasing in $b$, the minimal computation time of the shortest programs for the sequence of strings as a function of $j$ rises faster than any computable function but not so fast as the Busy Beaver function.Comment: 12 pages LaTex (this supercedes arXiv:1301.4451

Thoracic, abdominal and musculoskeletal involvement in Erdheim-Chester disease: CT, MR and PET imaging findings.

BACKGROUND: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare, non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis with characteristic radiological and histological features. This entity is defined by a mononuclear infiltrate consisting of lipid-laden, foamy histiocytes that stain positively for CD68 and negatively for CD1a. Osseous involvement is constant and characteristic. Extra-osseous lesions may affect the retroperitoneum, lungs, skin, heart, brain and orbits. METHODS: Both radiography and technetium-99m bone scintigraphy may reveal osteosclerosis of the long bones, which is a typical finding in ECD. For visceral involvement, computed tomography (CT) is most useful, while magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is more sensitive for cardiovascular lesions; 2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scanning is useful in assessing the extension of ECD lesions. RESULTS: The prognosis is extremely variable and is often worse when there is cardiovascular system involvement. Diagnosis is based on the combination of radiographic, CT, MR imaging and nuclear medicine features and a nearly pathognomonic immunohistochemical profile. CONCLUSION: The aims of this work are to perform a systematic review of Erdheim-Chester disease as seen on imaging of the chest, abdomen and musculoskeletal system and to discuss the diagnostic workup and differential diagnoses according to the imaging presentation. Teaching points • Bone involvement is usually present in patients, and the imaging findings are pathognomonic of ECD. • The circumferential periaortic infiltration may extend to its branches, sometimes becoming symptomatic. • Cardiac involvement-the pericardium, right atrium and auriculoventricular sulcus-worsens its prognosis. • Perirenal infiltration extending to the proximal ureter is highly suggestive of this disease

Thermoelectric response of Fe1+y_{1+y}Te0.6_{0.6}Se0.4_{0.4}: evidence for strong correlation and low carrier density

We present a study of the Seebeck and Nernst coefficients of Fe$_{1+y}$Te$_{1-x}$Se$_{x}$ extended up to 28 T. The large magnitude of the Seebeck coefficient in the optimally doped sample tracks a remarkably low normalized Fermi temperature, which, like other correlated superconductors, is only one order of magnitude larger than T$_c$. We combine our data with other experimentally measured coefficients of the system to extract a set of self-consistent parameters, which identify Fe$_{1+y}$Te$_{0.6}$Se$_{0.4}$ as a low-density correlated superconductor barely in the clean limit. The system is subject to strong superconducting fluctuations with a sizeable vortex Nernst signal in a wide temperature window.Comment: 4 pages including 4 figure

Traumatic Clivus Epidural Hematoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND: Traumatic clival epidural hematoma is an extremely rare reported entity. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe the case of a 26-year-old woman involved in a car accident who presented with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13, bilateral abducens palsy, bilateral numbness on the mandibular territory of the trigeminal nerve, and left hypoglossal palsy. Radiological examinations revealed a clival epidural hematoma. The patient was managed conservatively, with clinical improvement of her neurological condition. This is the first traumatic clival epidural hematoma reported in an adult. From a review of the literature, we found only 8 cases. CONCLUSION: The pathophysiology of these hematomas is still a subject of debate; occipitoatlantoaxial ligamentous instability may play a role in it. In one third of the cases, bilateral cranial nerve palsies were associated. Apparently, they have a benign outcome

Os tubarões hybodontiformes (Chondrichthyes: Euselachii) do Jurássico Superior de Torres Vedras, Portugal

ABSTRACT: In this work, the description and classification of a set of fossil shark tooth specimens, from the upper Kimmeridgian-lower Tithonian (Upper Jurassic) of Torres Vedras, was developed. The material, currently housed in the paleontological collection of Sociedade de História Natural, was collected on the surface of the marine deposits at the top of the Praia Azul Member, Lourinhã Formation, Lusitanian Basin. The attribution of the specimens to Hybodus cf. reticulatus, was based on the presence of the following most striking characteristics: a reticulated, spongy root, perpendicular to the crown; a completely to almost completely straight main cusp; several straight, well-defined, and parallel ridges that run from the base of the crown to about half of the height of the main cusp; and flat, well-defined cutting edges.RESUMO: No presente trabalho, fez-se a descrição e a classificação de um conjunto de espécimes de dentes fósseis de tubarão, do Kimmeridgiano superior-Tithoniano inferior (Jurássico Superior) de Torres Vedras. O material, atualmente sediado na coleção paleontológica da Sociedade de História Natural, foi colhido à superfície nos depósitos marinhos do topo do Membro da Praia Azul, Formação da Lourinhã, Bacia Lusitaniana. A atribuição dos espécimes a Hybodus cf. reticulatus, baseou-se na presença das seguintes características mais marcantes: raiz reticulada, esponjosa e perpendicular à coroa; cúspide principal totalmente ou quase totalmente estreita; várias pregas estreitas, bem definidas e paralelas entre si, que surgem desde a base da coroa até aproximadamente metade da altura da cúspide principal; e bordo cortante liso e bem definido.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Do adult persons with chronic psychiatric conditions receive fair access to specialist palliative care? Results from a systematic review

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Do adult persons with chronic psychiatric conditions receive fair access to specialist palliative care? Results from a systematic review

info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Limiting performance analisys of a head protection helmet using multicriteria control optimization

In this paper the limiting performance analysis of a head protection helmet is performed. A discrete model of the human head is used. A multicriteria optimum control problem is formulated in order to minimize the risk of injuries in case of impact. Several injury criteria are minimized and are required to remain below a safety threshold value. The optimal control force acting on the head is found. The optimal control force is determined by nonlinear programming. The equations of motion are integrated at-once, as it is typical for static response, instead of the traditional step-by-step integration.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

BENCHMARKING OF TWO SYSTEMS FOR TRANSMISSION OF MOTION FOR A DOUBLE ACTION STIRLING ENGINE

In a four-piston Stirling engine, Siemens configuration, the displacement of the pistons is governed by the motion transmission element, which converts the reciprocating motion of pistons into rotary motion. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the geometry of the transmission element in the mechanical efficiency of a Stirling engine. Analyses were performed using a mathematical computer simulation that uses the geometric and operating data of the engine to calculate the mechanical power and efficiency through a first order thermodynamic mathematical model, also known as the Schmidtmodel. First, an analysis was performed to evaluate the mechanical efficiency of the transmission element with a sinusoidal curve surface. Later, it was implemented in the transmission mechanism a segment based straight plans surface, and then the same analysis was performed with this new transmission element. The results showed that using the transmission element with segment based straight plans the engine showed a significant increase in efficiency. Moreover, one can observe an increase in the vibration of the system, making it necessary to develop an appropriate system for balancing

Multi-band Superconductivity in the Chevrel Phases SnMo6S8 and PbMo6S8

Sub-Kelvin scanning tunnelling spectroscopy in the Chevrel Phases SnMo6S8 and PbMo6S8 reveals two distinct superconducting gaps with Delta_1 = 3 meV, Delta_2 ~ 1.0 meV and Delta_1 = 3.1 meV, Delta_2 ~ 1.4 meV respectively. The gap distribution is strongly anisotropic, with Delta_2 predominantly seen when scanning across unit-cell steps on the (001) sample surface. The spectra are well-fitted by an anisotropic two-band BCS s-wave gap function. Our spectroscopic data are confirmed by electronic heat capacity measurements which also provide evidence for a twin-gap scenario.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure