Improved Approximation Algorithms for Stochastic Matching

In this paper we consider the Stochastic Matching problem, which is motivated by applications in kidney exchange and online dating. We are given an undirected graph in which every edge is assigned a probability of existence and a positive profit, and each node is assigned a positive integer called timeout. We know whether an edge exists or not only after probing it. On this random graph we are executing a process, which one-by-one probes the edges and gradually constructs a matching. The process is constrained in two ways: once an edge is taken it cannot be removed from the matching, and the timeout of node $v$ upper-bounds the number of edges incident to $v$ that can be probed. The goal is to maximize the expected profit of the constructed matching. For this problem Bansal et al. (Algorithmica 2012) provided a $3$-approximation algorithm for bipartite graphs, and a $4$-approximation for general graphs. In this work we improve the approximation factors to $2.845$ and $3.709$, respectively. We also consider an online version of the bipartite case, where one side of the partition arrives node by node, and each time a node $b$ arrives we have to decide which edges incident to $b$ we want to probe, and in which order. Here we present a $4.07$-approximation, improving on the $7.92$-approximation of Bansal et al. The main technical ingredient in our result is a novel way of probing edges according to a random but non-uniform permutation. Patching this method with an algorithm that works best for large probability edges (plus some additional ideas) leads to our improved approximation factors

Overview of experimental critical point search

The existence and location of the QCD critical point is an object of vivid experimental and theoretical studies. Rich and beautiful data recorded by experiments at SPS and RHIC allow for a systematic search for the critical point - the search for a non-monotonic dependence of various correlation and fluctuation observables on collision energy and size of colliding nuclei.Comment: The 18th International Conference on Strangeness in Quark Matter (SQM 2019) proceedings, 8 pages, 8 figure

Model of correlated sequential adsorption of colloidal particles

We present results of a new model of sequential adsorption in which the adsorbing particles are correlated with the particles attached to the substrate. The strength of the correlations is measured by a tunable parameter $\sigma$. The model interpolates between free ballistic adsorption in the limit $\sigma\to\infty$ and a strongly correlated phase, appearing for $\sigma\to0$ and characterized by the emergence of highly ordered structures. The phenomenon is manifested through the analysis of several magnitudes, as the jamming limit and the particle-particle correlation function. The effect of correlations in one dimension manifests in the increased tendency to particle chaining in the substrate. In two dimensions the correlations induce a percolation transition, in which a spanning cluster of connected particles appears at a certain critical value $\sigma_c$. Our study could be applicable to more general situations in which the coupling between correlations and disorder is relevant, as for example, in the presence of strong interparticle interactions.Comment: 6 pages, 8 EPS figures. Phys. Rev. E (in press

Interferometry with Bose-Einstein Condensates in Microgravity

Atom interferometers covering macroscopic domains of space-time are a spectacular manifestation of the wave nature of matter. Due to their unique coherence properties, Bose-Einstein condensates are ideal sources for an atom interferometer in extended free fall. In this paper we report on the realization of an asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer operated with a Bose-Einstein condensate in microgravity. The resulting interference pattern is similar to the one in the far-field of a double-slit and shows a linear scaling with the time the wave packets expand. We employ delta-kick cooling in order to enhance the signal and extend our atom interferometer. Our experiments demonstrate the high potential of interferometers operated with quantum gases for probing the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics and general relativity.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures; 8 pages of supporting materia

Isolation of Flow and Nonflow Correlations by Two- and Four-Particle Cumulant Measurements of Azimuthal Harmonics in √sNN = 200 GeV Au+Au Collisions

A data-driven method was applied to measurements of Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV made with the STAR detector at RHIC to isolate pseu- dorapidity distance ∆η-dependent and ∆η-independent correlations by using two- and four-particle azimuthal cumulant measurements. We identified a component of the correlation that is ∆η-independent, which is likely dom- inated by anisotropic flow and flow fluctuations. It was also found to be independent of η within the measured range of pseudorapidity |η| 0.7

Isolation of Flow and Nonflow Correlations by Two and Four Particle Cumulant Measurements of Azimuthal Harmonics in √Sɴɴ = GeV Au+Au Collisions

A data-driven method was applied to Au+Au collisions at √Sɴɴ = 200 GeV made with the STAR detector at RHIC to isolate pseudorapidity distance Δ η-dependent and Δ η-independent correlations by using two- and four-particle azimuthal cumulant measurements. We identified a Δ η-independent component of the correlation, which is dominated by anisotropic flow and flow fluctuations. It was also found to be independent of η within the measured range of pseudorapidity | η | \u3c 1. In 20-30% central Au+Au collisions, the relative flow fluctuation was found to be 34% ± 2%(stat.) ± 3%(sys.) for particles with transverse momentum pT less than 2 GeV/c. The Δ η-dependent part, attributed to nonflow correlations, is found to be 5% ± 2%(sys.) relative to the flow of the measured second harmonic cumulant at | Δ η | \u3e 0.7

Isolation of Flow and Nonflow Correlations by Two- and Four-Particle Cumulant Measurements of Azimuthal Harmonics in √\u3csup\u3es\u3c/sup\u3eNN=200 GeV Au+Au collisions

A data-driven method was applied to Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV made with the STAR detector at RHIC to isolate pseudorapidity distance Δη-dependent and Δη-independent correlations by using two- and four-particle azimuthal cumulant measurements. We identified a Δη-independent component of the correlation, which is dominated by anisotropic flow and flow fluctuations. It was also found to be independent of η within the measured range of pseudorapidity |η| \u3c 1. In 20–30% central Au+Au colli- sions, the relative flow fluctuation was found to be 34% ± 2%(stat.) ± 3%(sys.) for particles with transverse momentum PT less than 2 GeV/c. The Δη-dependent part, attributed to nonflow correlations, is found to be 5% ± 2%(sys.) relative to the flow of the measured second harmonic cumulant at |Δη| \u3e 0.7

Glycomic analysis of gastric carcinoma cells discloses glycans as modulators of RON receptor tyrosine kinase activation in cancer

Background Terminal a2-3 and a2-6 sialylation of glycans precludes further chain elongation, leading to the biosynthesis of cancer relevant epitopes such as sialyl-Lewis X (SLe X ). SLe X overexpression is associated with tumor aggressive phenotype and patients' poor prognosis. Methods MKN45 gastric carcinoma cells transfected with the sialyltransferase ST3GAL4 were established as a model overexpressing sialylated terminal glycans. We have evaluated at the structural level the glycome and the sialoproteome of this gastric cancer cell line applying liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. We further validated an identified target expression by proximity ligation assay in gastric tumors. Results Our results showed that ST3GAL4 overexpression leads to several glycosylation alterations, including reduced O-glycan extension and decreased bisected and increased branched N-glycans. A shift from a2-6 towards a2-3 linked sialylated N-glycans was also observed. Sialoproteomic analysis further identified 47 proteins with significantly increased sialylated N-glycans. These included integrins, insulin receptor, carcinoembryonic antigens and RON receptor tyrosine kinase, which are proteins known to be key players in malignancy. Further analysis of RON confirmed its modification with SLe X and the concomitant activation. SLe X and RON co-expression was validated in gastric tumors. Conclusion The overexpression of ST3GAL4 interferes with the overall glycophenotype of cancer cells affecting a multitude of key proteins involved in malignancy. Aberrant glycosylation of the RON receptor was shown as an alternative mechanism of oncogenic activation. General significance This study provides novel targets and points to an integrative tumor glycomic/proteomic-profiling for gastric cancer patients' stratification. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Glycans in personalised medicine" Guest Editor: Professor Gordan Lauc.We acknowledge the support from the European Union, Seventh Framework Programme, Gastric Glyco Explorer initial training network: grant number 316929. IPATIMUP integrates the i3S Research Unit, which is partially supported by FCT, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. This work is funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors-COMPETE (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER028188) and National Funds through the FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology, under the projects: PEst-C/SAU/LA0003/2013, PTDC/BBB-EBI/0786/2012, and PTDC/BBB-EBI/0567/2014 (to CAR). This work was also supported by"Glycoproteomics" project grant number PCIG09-GA-2011-293847(to DK) and the Danish Natural Science Research Council and a generous grant from the VILLUM Foundation to the VILLUM Center for Bioanalytical Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark (to MRL). Grants were received from FCT, POPH (Programa Operacional Potencial Humano) and FSE (Fundo Social Europeu): SFRH/BPD/75871/2011 to AM; SFRH/BPD/111048/2015 to JAF; SFRH/BPD/96510/2013 to CG. The UPLC instrument was obtained with a grant from the Ingabritt and Arne Lundbergs Research Foundation (to NK). C.J. was supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The mass spectrometer (LTQ) was obtained by a grant from the Swedish Research Council (342-2004-4434) (to NK)

ATHENA Detector Proposal — A Totally Hermetic Electron Nucleus Apparatus Proposed for IP6 at the Electron-Ion Collider

ATHENA has been designed as a general purpose detector capable of delivering the full scientific scope of the Electron-Ion Collider. Careful technology choices provide fine tracking and momentum resolution, high performance electromagnetic and hadronic calorimetry, hadron identification over a wide kinematic range, and near-complete hermeticity. This article describes the detector design and its expected performance in the most relevant physics channels. It includes an evaluation of detector technology choices, the technical challenges to realizing the detector and the R&D required to meet those challenges