QPTAS and Subexponential Algorithm for Maximum Clique on Disk Graphs

A (unit) disk graph is the intersection graph of closed (unit) disks in the plane. Almost three decades ago, an elegant polynomial-time algorithm was found for Maximum Clique on unit disk graphs [Clark, Colbourn, Johnson; Discrete Mathematics '90]. Since then, it has been an intriguing open question whether or not tractability can be extended to general disk graphs. We show the rather surprising structural result that a disjoint union of cycles is the complement of a disk graph if and only if at most one of those cycles is of odd length. From that, we derive the first QPTAS and subexponential algorithm running in time 2^{O~(n^{2/3})} for Maximum Clique on disk graphs. In stark contrast, Maximum Clique on intersection graphs of filled ellipses or filled triangles is unlikely to have such algorithms, even when the ellipses are close to unit disks. Indeed, we show that there is a constant ratio of approximation which cannot be attained even in time 2^{n^{1-epsilon}}, unless the Exponential Time Hypothesis fails

Comparison of fragment partitions production in peripheral and central collisions

Ensembles of single-source events, produced in peripheral and central collisions and correponding respectively to quasi-projectile and quasi-fusion sources, are analyzed. After selections on fragment kinematic properties, excitation energies of the sources are derived using the calorimetric method and the mean behaviour of fragments of the two ensembles are compared. Differences observed in their partitions, especially the charge asymmetry, can be related to collective energy deposited in the systems during the collisions.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, presented at the International Workshop on Multifragmentation and Related Topics, Caen France, 4-7th november 2007 (IWM2007

False‑positive technetium‑99m methylene diphosphonate bone scan activity in the orbit in a patient with a history of breast carcinoma

Metastasis of breast carcinoma to the orbit is an uncommon entity and carries a poor prognosis. This case report presents false-positive technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate activity in the right orbit of a patient with a history of a primary breast neoplasm. Orbital computed tomography imaging was obtained to further characterize the radiotracer uptake identified on the bone scan and demonstrated diffuse right globe intraocular calcifications secondary to degenerative intraocular changes. A brief literature review of orbital metastasis from breast carcinoma and causes of intraocular calcification in the context of chronic vision loss are provided

Break-up fragments excitation and the freeze-out volume

We investigate, in microcanonical multifragmentation models, the influence of the amount of energy dissipated in break-up fragments excitation on freeze-out volume determination. Assuming a limiting temperature decreasing with nuclear mass, we obtain for the Xe+Sn at 32 MeV/nucleon reaction [J. D. Frankland et al., Nucl. Phys. A689, 905 (2001); A689, 940 (2001)] a freeze-out volume almost half the one deduced using a constant limiting temperature.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

The eclipsing bursting X-ray binary EXO 0748-676 revisited by XMM-Newton

The bright eclipsing and bursting low-mass X-ray binary EXO 0748-676 has been observed at several occasions by XMM-Newton during the initial calibration and performance verification (CAL/PV) phase. We present here the results obtained from observations with the EPIC cameras. Apart from several type-I X-ray bursts, the source shows a high degree of variability with the presence of soft flares. The wide energy coverage and high sensitivity of XMM-Newton allows for the first time a detailed description of the spectral variability. The source is found to be the superposition of a central (~2 10^8 cm) Comptonized emission, most probably a corona surrounding the inner edge of an accretion disk, associated with a more extended (~3 10^10 cm) thermal halo at a typical temperature of ~0.6 keV with an indication of non-solar abundances. Most of the variations of the source can be accounted for by a variable absorption affecting only the central comptonized component and reaching up to NH ~1.3 10^23 cm^{-2}. The characteristics of the surrounding halo are found compatible with an irradiated atmosphere of an accretion disc which intercepts the central emission due to the system high inclination.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in A&A Letters, XMM special issu

Tunable Functionality and toxicity studies of Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Layers

In this work, we have developed economic process to elaborate scalable titanium dioxide nanotube layers which show a tunable functionality. The titanium dioxide nanotube layers was prepared by electrochemical anodization of Ti foil in 0.4 wt% hydrofluoric acid solution. The nanotube layers structure and morphology were characterized using x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The surface topography and wettability was studied according to the anodization time. The sample synthesized while the current density reached a local minimum displayed higher contact angle. Beyond this point, the contact angles decrease with the anodization time. Photo-degradation of acid orange 7 in aqueous solution was used as a probe to assess the photo-catalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanotube layers under UV irradiation. We obtained better photocatalitic activity for the sample elaborate at higher current density. Finally we use the Ciliated Protozoan T. pyriformis, an alternative cell model used for in vitro toxicity studies, to predict the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanotube layers in biological system. We did not observe any characteristic effect in the presence of the titanium dioxide nanotube layers on two physiological parameters related to this organism, non-specific esterases activity and population growth rate

The ephemeris, orbital decay, and masses of 10 eclipsing HMXBs

We take advantage of more than 10 years of monitoring of the eclipsing HMXB systems LMC X-4, Cen X-3, 4U 1700-377, 4U 1538-522, SMC X-1, IGR J18027-2016, Vela X-1, IGR J17252-3616, XTE J1855-026, and OAO 1657-415 with the ASM on-board RXTE and ISGRI on-board INTEGRAL to update their ephemeris. These results are used to refine previous measurements of the orbital period decay of all sources (where available) and provide the first accurate values of the apsidal advance in Vela X-1 and 4U 1538-522. Updated values for the masses of the neutron stars hosted in the ten HMXBs are also provided, as well as the long-term lightcurves folded on the sources best determined orbital parameters. These lightcurves reveal complex eclipse ingresses and egresses, that are understood mostly as being due to the presence of accretion wakes. The results reported in this paper constitute a database to be used for population and evolutionary studies of HMXBs, as well as theoretical modelling of long-term accretion in wind-fed X-ray binaries.Comment: Accepted for publication on A&

Benign Bilateral Adenomyoepithelioma of the Mammary Gland in a Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)

Naturally occurring mammary tumours are uncommon in prosimians. A 20-year-old female ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) developed bilateral enlargement of the mammary glands. Surgical removal revealed that both masses were comprised of multiple nodules and cystic areas that entirely replaced the normal glands. Histologically, a benign neoplastic biphasic cellular proliferation, composed of luminal–epithelial and basal–myoepithelial components, was identified. Immunohistochemical analysis for expression of cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3, CK7, CK5 + 8, CK14, vimentin, p63 and 14-3-3σ highlighted the biphasic nature of the neoplasm. A low mitotic count, low Ki67 labelling index, expression of oestrogen receptor-α, lack of expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor and a 3-year disease-free period without recurrence supported the benign nature of the tumour. Macroscopically, histologically and immunohistochemically this neoplasm resembled benign adenomyoepithelioma of the breast in women. This is the first complete report of a naturally occurring mammary tumour in a ring-tailed lemur

Diet and gene interactions influence the skeletal response to polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Diets rich in omega-3s have been thought to prevent both obesity and osteoporosis. However, conflicting findings are reported, probably as a result of gene by nutritional interactions. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that improves insulin sensitivity but causes weight gain and bone loss. Fish oil is a natural agonist for PPARγ and thus may exert its actions through the PPARγ pathway. We examined the role of PPARγ in body composition changes induced by a fish or safflower oil diet using two strains of C57BL/6J (B6); i.e. B6.C3H-6T (6T) congenic mice created by backcrossing a small locus on Chr 6 from C3H carrying 'gain of function' polymorphisms in the Pparγ gene onto a B6 background, and C57BL/6J mice. After 9months of feeding both diets to female mice, body weight, percent fat and leptin levels were less in mice fed the fish oil vs those fed safflower oil, independent of genotype. At the skeletal level, fish oil preserved vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) and microstructure in B6 but not in 6T mice. Moreover, fish oil consumption was associated with an increase in bone marrow adiposity and a decrease in BMD, cortical thickness, ultimate force and plastic energy in femur of the 6T but not the B6 mice. These effects paralleled an increase in adipogenic inflammatory and resorption markers in 6T but not B6. Thus, compared to safflower oil, fish oil (high ratio omega-3/-6) prevents weight gain, bone loss, and changes in trabecular microarchitecture in the spine with age. These beneficial effects are absent in mice with polymorphisms in the Pparγ gene (6T), supporting the tenet that the actions of n-3 fatty acids on bone microstructure are likely to be genotype dependent. Thus caution must be used in interpreting dietary intervention trials with skeletal endpoints in mice and in humans

Perception des risques industriels dans une zone estuarienne : une analyse hédonique spatiale

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