The group of causal automorphisms

The group of causal automorphisms on Minkowski space-time is given and its structure is analyzed

Particle Correlation Results from the ALICE Experiment at LHC

Measurements of two-particle correlations of inclusive and identified charged particles performed with the ALICE detector in Pb--Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76 TeV$ are presented. The near-side jet shape is analyzed in the low $p_{\rm T}$ regions ($1<$p_{\rm T}$<8GeV/c$). While the RMS of the peak in $\Delta\varphi$-direction is independent of centrality within uncertainties, we find significant broadening in $\Delta\eta$-direction from peripheral to central collisions. The near-side $p/\pi$ ratio of particles associated to a trigger particle from jet fragmentation in the central Pb--Pb collisions is consistent with vacuum fragmentation in the measured momentum region ($1.5<$p_{\rm T}<4.5GeV\c).Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, proceeding for Physics at LHC 2012, vancouver, Canad

The q-component static model : modeling social networks

We generalize the static model by assigning a q-component weight on each vertex. We first choose a component $(\mu)$ among the q components at random and a pair of vertices is linked with a color $\mu$ according to their weights of the component $(\mu)$ as in the static model. A (1-f) fraction of the entire edges is connected following this way. The remaining fraction f is added with (q+1)-th color as in the static model but using the maximum weights among the q components each individual has. This model is motivated by social networks. It exhibits similar topological features to real social networks in that: (i) the degree distribution has a highly skewed form, (ii) the diameter is as small as and (iii) the assortativity coefficient r is as positive and large as those in real social networks with r reaching a maximum around $f \approx 0.2$.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Disassortativity of random critical branching trees

Random critical branching trees (CBTs) are generated by the multiplicative branching process, where the branching number is determined stochastically, independent of the degree of their ancestor. Here we show analytically that despite this stochastic independence, there exists the degree-degree correlation (DDC) in the CBT and it is disassortative. Moreover, the skeletons of fractal networks, the maximum spanning trees formed by the edge betweenness centrality, behave similarly to the CBT in the DDC. This analytic solution and observation support the argument that the fractal scaling in complex networks originates from the disassortativity in the DDC.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figure

Sequential Changes of Plasma C-Reactive Protein, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and White Blood Cell Count in Spine Surgery : Comparison between Lumbar Open Discectomy and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

ObjectiveC-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are often utilized to evaluate for postoperative infection. Abnormal values may be detected after surgery even in case of non-infection because of muscle injury, transfusion, which disturbed prompt perioperative management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the perioperative CRP, ESR, and white blood cell (WBC) counts after spine surgery, which was proved to be non-infection.MethodsTwenty patients of lumbar open discectomy (LOD) and 20 patients of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) were enrolled in this study. Preoperative and postoperative prophylactic antibiotics were administered routinely for 7 days. Blood samples were obtained one day before surgery and postoperative day (POD) 1, POD3, and POD7. Using repeated measures ANOVA, changes in effect measures over time and between groups over time were assessed. All data analysis was conducted using SAS v.9.1.ResultsChanges in CRP, within treatment groups over time and between treatment groups over time were both statistically significant F(3,120)=5.05, p=0.003 and F(1,39)=7.46, p=0.01, respectively. Most dramatic changes were decreases in the LOD group on POD3 and POD7. Changes in ESR, within treatment groups over time and between treatment groups over time were also found to be statistically significant, F(3,120)=6.67, p=0.0003 and F(1,39)=3.99, p=0.01, respectively. Changes in WBC values also were be statistically significant within groups over time, F(3,120)=40.52, p&lt;0.001, however, no significant difference was found in between groups WBC levels over time, F(1,39)=0.02, p=0.89.ConclusionWe found that, dramatic decrease of CRP was detected on POD3 and POD7 in LOD group of non-infection and dramatic increase of ESR on POD3 and POD7 in PLIF group of non-infection. We also assumed that CRP would be more effective and sensitive parameter especially in LOD than PLIF for early detection of infectious complications. Awareness of the typical pattern of CRP, ESR, and WBC may help to evaluate the early postoperative course