Optimum matchings in weighted bipartite graphs

Given an integer weighted bipartite graph $\{G=(U\sqcup V, E), w:E\rightarrow \mathbb{Z}\}$ we consider the problems of finding all the edges that occur in some minimum weight matching of maximum cardinality and enumerating all the minimum weight perfect matchings. Moreover, we construct a subgraph $G_{cs}$ of $G$ which depends on an $\epsilon$-optimal solution of the dual linear program associated to the assignment problem on $\{G,w\}$ that allows us to reduced this problems to their unweighed variants on $G_{cs}$. For instance, when $G$ has a perfect matching and we have an $\epsilon$-optimal solution of the dual linear program associated to the assignment problem on $\{G,w\}$, we solve the problem of finding all the edges that occur in some minimum weight perfect matching in linear time on the number of edges. Therefore, starting from scratch we get an algorithm that solves this problem in time $O(\sqrt{n}m\log(nW))$, where $n=|U|\geq |V|$, $m=|E|$, and $W={\rm max}\{|w(e)|\, :\, e\in E\}$.Comment: 11 page

Excited bands in odd-mass rare-earth nuclei

Normal parity bands are studied in 157Gd, 163Dy and 169Tm using the pseudo SU(3) shell model. Energies and B(E2) transition strengths of states belonging to six low-lying rotational bands with the same parity in each nuclei are presented. The pseudo SU(3) basis includes states with pseudo-spin 0 and 1, and 1/2 and 3/2, for even and odd number of nucleons, respectively. States with pseudo-spin 1 and 3/2 must be included for a proper description of some excited bands.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Inter-band B(E2) transition strengths in odd-mass heavy deformed nuclei

Inter-band B(E2) transition strengths between different normal parity bands in 163Dy and 165Er are described using the pseudo-SU(3) model. The Hamiltonian includes Nilsson single-particle energies, quadrupole-quadrupole and pairing interactions with fixed, parametrized strengths, and three extra rotor terms used to fine tune the energy spectra. In addition to inter-band transitions, the energy spectra and the ground state intra-band B(E2) strengths are reported. The results show the pseudo-SU(3) shell model to be a powerful microscopic theory for a description of the normal parity sector in heavy deformed odd-A nuclei.Comment: 4 figures, 2 table

Cities and regions in Britain through hierarchical percolation

Urban systems present hierarchical structures at many different scales. These are observed as administrative regional delimitations which are the outcome of complex geographical, political and historical processes which leave almost indelible footprints on infrastructure such as the street network. In this work, we uncover a set of hierarchies in Britain at different scales using percolation theory on the street network and on its intersections which are the primary points of interaction and urban agglomeration. At the larger scales, the observed hierarchical structures can be interpreted as regional fractures of Britain, observed in various forms, from natural boundaries, such as National Parks, to regional divisions based on social class and wealth such as the well-known North–South divide. At smaller scales, cities are generated through recursive percolations on each of the emerging regional clusters. We examine the evolution of the morphology of the system as a whole, by measuring the fractal dimension of the clusters at each distance threshold in the percolation. We observe that this reaches a maximum plateau at a specific distance. The clusters defined at this distance threshold are in excellent correspondence with the boundaries of cities recovered from satellite images, and from previous methods using population density

Evaluación briológica de los efectos de la contaminación atmosférica en la Ciudad de México

The Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) was used to make a preliminary evaluation of epiphytic moss response to atmospheric pollution in the urban area of Mexico City. Areal analysis indicates that there is a significant negative correlation (p < 0.5) between IAP values and SO2, NO2, NOx, Pb and temperature values of -0.45, -0.90, -0.80, -0.80, -0.90. Significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between IAP values and O3, rainfall and relative atmospheric humidity with values of 0.70, 0.80, 0.90. Increase in atmospheric pollutants in Mexico City have promoted a gradual decrease in frequency and cover of epiphytic mosses even though some ecological factors may show the oposite effect.Se hace una evaluación preliminar de la respuesta de los musgos epífitos a la contaminación atmosférica usando el Indice de Pureza Atmosférica (IPA) en el área urbana de la Ciudad de México. El análisis por zonas indica que hay una relación inversa y significativa (p < 0.5) entre el IPA y SO2, NO2, NOx, Pb y la temperatura con valores de -0.45, -0.90, -0.80, -0.80, -0.90. También se encontró una relación directa y significativa (p < 0.05) entre el IPA y el O3, la precipitación pluvial y la humedad relativa con valores de 0.70, 0.80, 0.90. Los incrementos en los niveles de algunos contaminantes atmosféricos en la Ciudad de México han promovido la disminución gradual en la frecuencia de aparición y cobertura de musgos epífitos, aunque algunas variables ambientales pueden tener el efecto opuesto

Efecto de un nuevo xanthanólido sesquiterpeno sobre la activación de mastocitos inducida por neurópeptidos pro-inflamatorios

Los mastocitos son células del tejido conectivo que participan en la génesis y modulación de las respuestas inflamatorias celulares. En trabajos previos hemos demostrado que xanthatina (xanthanólido sesquiterpeno aislado de Xanthium cavanillesii Schouw) inhibe la activación de mastocitos inducida por secretagogos experimentales. Sin embargo, se desconoce su efecto sobre la activación de mastocitos inducida por estímulos fisiopatológicos. Estos estímulos incluyen, entre otros, los neuropéptidos pro-inflamatorios sustancia P y neurotensina, responsables de una de las principales vías de inflamación neurogénica. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar el efecto de xanthatina sobre la activación de mastocitos inducida por sustancia P y neurotensina. Mastocitos peritoneales de rata se incubaron con: 1) PBS (basal); 2) sustancia P (100 Fm); 3) neurotensina (50 Fm); 4) xanthatina (8-320 Fm)+sustancia P; 5) xanthatina (8-320 Fm)+neurotensina. La viabilidad de los mastocitos se evaluó con azul tripán. En las soluciones de incubación se cuantificó serotonina liberada (marcador de activación). En las células se cuantificó serotonina remanente (no liberada) y se analizó la morfología celular por microscopía óptica y electrónica de transmisión. Tratamiento estadístico: ANOVA-1 y Tukey-Kramer. La incubación de mastocitos con xanthatina inhibió (P&lt;0,01), en forma dosisdependiente, la liberación de serotonina inducida por sustancia P y neurotensina, sin modificar la viabilidad celular. Los mastocitos tratados con neuropéptidos mostraron características morfológicas de degranulación, mientras que la morfología de los mastocitos tratados con xanthatina+neuropéptido fue semejante a los basales. En conclusión, xanthatina inhibe la activación de mastocitos inducida por sustancia P y por neurotensina. Este sesquiterpeno podría representar una nueva alternativa en el tratamiento de las inflamaciones neurogénicas.The present study was designed to examine the effects of a novel natural xanthanolide with anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory properties (xanthatin) on mast cell activation induced by pro-inflammatory peptides, such as substance P and neurotensin. Peritoneal mast cells from male adult were purified in Percoll, preincubated in the presence of xanthatin and then challenged with the mast cell activators substance P (100 Fm) or neurotensin (50 Fm). Concentration-response studies of mast cell serotonin release evoked by pro-inflammatory neuropeptides, evaluation of mast cell viability and morphology by light and electron microscopy, and drug stability analysis by thin layer chromatography (TLC) were performed. Serotonin release studies, carried out together with morphological studies, showed the effectiveness of xanthatin to stabilize mast cells. The present study provides the first strong evidence in favour of the hypothesis that xanthatin inhibits substance P- and neurotensin-induced serotonin release from peritoneal mast cells, acting thus as a mast cell stabilizer. Our findings may provide an insight into the design of novel pharmacological agents which may be used to regulate the mast cell response in neurogenic inflammation.Fil: Vargas, P.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histologia y Embriología Mendoza. "Dr. Mario H. Burgos"Fil: Martino, E.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Área de Anatomía NormalFil: Fogal, T.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histologia y Embriología Mendoza. "Dr. Mario H. Burgos"Fil: Tonn, C.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Química.Fil: Penissi, A.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histologia y Embriología Mendoza. "Dr. Mario H. Burgos