1,972 research outputs found
Algorithmic and Hardness Results for the Colorful Components Problems
In this paper we investigate the colorful components framework, motivated by
applications emerging from comparative genomics. The general goal is to remove
a collection of edges from an undirected vertex-colored graph such that in
the resulting graph all the connected components are colorful (i.e., any
two vertices of the same color belong to different connected components). We
want to optimize an objective function, the selection of this function
being specific to each problem in the framework.
We analyze three objective functions, and thus, three different problems,
which are believed to be relevant for the biological applications: minimizing
the number of singleton vertices, maximizing the number of edges in the
transitive closure, and minimizing the number of connected components.
Our main result is a polynomial time algorithm for the first problem. This
result disproves the conjecture of Zheng et al. that the problem is -hard
(assuming ). Then, we show that the second problem is -hard,
thus proving and strengthening the conjecture of Zheng et al. that the problem
is -hard. Finally, we show that the third problem does not admit
polynomial time approximation within a factor of for
any , assuming (or within a factor of , assuming ).Comment: 18 pages, 3 figure
Impact de l’activité de butinage de Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille (Hymenoptera : Apidae) sur la pollinisation et la chute des jeunes fruits du karité Vitellaria paradoxa (Sapotaceae) à Ngaoundéré (Cameroun)
Afin d’estimer la valeur apicole et d’évaluer l’impact de Apis mellifera adansonii sur le rendement fruitier de Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertner (Sapotaceae) au Cameroun, les activités de butinage, l’indice de fructification et le taux de chute des fruits avant maturité ont été enregistrés dans la savane de Tchabal-Bambi et de Béka (région de l’Adamaoua – Ngaoundéré). De décembre à janvier, en 2005/2006 et 2006/2007 respectivement, 120 et 200 inflorescences divisées en deux lots selon la présence ou l’absence de protection de ces inflorescences vis-à-vis des insectes ont été déterminées. Chaque année, les butineuses ont récolté le nectar et le pollen de façon intense et permanente. Le rythme des visites de A. m. adansonii a été positivement corrélé au rythme d’épanouissement des fleurs de V. paradoxa. Les données obtenues indiquent que la sapotacée est une plante apicole très fortement nectarifère et fortement pollinifère. L’indice de fructification des inflorescences non protégées a été significativement supérieur à celui des inflorescences protégées des insectes. La contribution numérique de A. m. adansonii dans la fructification a été de 57,74% en 2005/2006 et 53,55% en 2006/2007. La contribution numérique de A. m. adansonii dans la réduction du taux de chute des jeunes fruits a été de 19,04% en 2005/2006 et 52,21% en 2006/2007. L’installation des colonies de A. m. adansonii à proximité des populations de V. paradoxa est recommandée pour accroître son rendement en fruits et augmenter la production du miel.Keywords: Vitellaria paradoxa, Apis mellifera adansonii , butinage, pollinisation, fructificatio
Exchange Bias Induced by the Fe3O4 Verwey transition
We present a study of the exchange bias in different configurations of V2O3
thin films with ferromagnetic layers. The exchange bias is accompanied by a
large vertical shift in the magnetization. These effects are only observed when
V2O3 is grown on top of Ni80Fe20 permalloy. The magnitude of the vertical shift
is as large as 60% of the total magnetization which has never been reported in
any system. X-Ray diffraction studies show that the growth conditions promote
the formation of a ferrimagnetic Fe3O4 interlayer. The change in the easy
magnetization axis of Fe3O4 across the Verwey transition at 120 K is correlated
with the appearance of exchange bias and vertical shift in magnetization. Both
phenomena disappear above 120 K, indicating for the first time a direct
relationship between the magnetic signature of the Verwey transition and
exchange bias.Comment: Accepted for publication Physical Review
Does the designation of least developed country status promote exports?
In this paper we examine to what extent developing countries export more as a result of
having the official Least Developed Country (LDC) status. We estimate a gravity model
of trade over the period 1973–2013, in which identification is achieved by exploiting
the particularities and asymmetries of ‘inclusion’ and ‘graduation’ criteria of LDC status. As mechanisms through which LDCs might benefit, we evaluate the effectiveness
of individual trade preference schemes for LDCs of the European Union, United States,
Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Turkey and the impact of LDC status on exports. We find that first, individual trade preference regimes are not always
beneficial in terms of increased export values. Export promoting effects are found for
the individual schemes of some developed countries and some sectors. Second, a country’s official designation as a LDC is associated with higher aggregated exports. This
is particularly the case for LDCs that export agricultural goods and light manufacturing products, including textiles and leather after 1990. Third, the positive effect of
LDC status is significant and sizable even when controlling for specific trade preference schemes suggesting that there are other benefits of LDC status that play a role
in promoting exports
Review of the Laguerre-Gauss mode technology research program at Birmingham
Gravitational wave detectors from the advanced generation onwards are
expected to be limited in sensitivity by thermal noise of the optics, making
the reduction of this noise a key factor in the success of such detectors. A
proposed method for reducing the impact of this noise is to use higher-order
Laguerre-Gauss (LG) modes for the readout beam, as opposed to the currently
used fundamental mode. We present here a synopsis of the research program
undertaken by the University of Birmingham into the suitability of LG mode
technology for future gravitational wave detectors. This will cover our
previous and current work on this topic, from initial simulations and table-top
LG mode experiments up to implementation in a prototype scale suspended cavity
and high-power laser bench
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