Computing a Minimum-Dilation Spanning Tree is NP-hard

In a geometric network G = (S, E), the graph distance between two vertices u, v in S is the length of the shortest path in G connecting u to v. The dilation of G is the maximum factor by which the graph distance of a pair of vertices differs from their Euclidean distance. We show that given a set S of n points with integer coordinates in the plane and a rational dilation delta > 1, it is NP-hard to determine whether a spanning tree of S with dilation at most delta exists

A complete checklist with new records and geographical distribution of the rove beetles (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) of Brazil

This paper presents the first comprehensive list of 2,688 species of Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) recorded from Brazil. The list is based on the taxonomic and ecological literature, and new records from some insect collections, and includes locality references for each species. In addition, Brazilian localities and the country-level distribution outside of Brazil are provided for each species. Brazilian localities are organized by state, and include the bibliographic reference and page number where each locality was reported. All localities are geo-referenced, organized by state, and listed in an Appendix.Este trabalho apresenta a primeira lista completa das 2.688 espécies de Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) registradas para o Brasil. A lista inclui todas as localidades citadas para cada espécie e baseia-se na literatura taxonômica e ecológica disponíveis. Cada localidade inclui a referência bibliográfica e o número da página onde foram citadas. Também são apresentados registros inéditos obtidos de algumas coleções de insetos. Além das localidades brasileiras são citados todos os países com ocorrência conhecida para cada espécie. As localidades brasileiras, listadas no Apêndice, estão organizadas por estado e georreferenciadas

The pool boiling curve in microgravity

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76562/1/AIAA-1996-499-522.pd

Исследование этапов жизненного цикла конкурентного преимущества машиностроительного предприятия

В статье рассмотрены вопросы создание научно-обоснованого механизма формирования и оценки конкурентных преимуществ машиностроительного предприятия. Важной задачей статьи является разработка предложений по формированию жизненного цикла конкурентного преимущества, обоснование его этапов и их экономического содержания, прогнозирование изменения силы конкурентного преимущества по этапам его жизненного цикла.In the article questions are considered creation of the scientific-grounded mechanism of forming and estimation of competitive edges of machine-building enterprise. The important task of the article is development of suggestions on forming of life cycle of competitive edge, ground of his stages and their economic maintenance, prognostication of change of force of competitive edge on the stages of his life cycle

A route to sub-diffraction-limited CARS Microscopy

We theoretically investigate a scheme to obtain sub-diffraction-limited resolution in coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. We find using density matrix calculations that the rise of vibrational (Raman) coherence can be strongly suppressed, and thereby the emission of CARS signals can be significantly reduced, when pre-populating the corresponding vibrational state through an incoherent process. The effectiveness of pre-populating the vibrational state of interest is investigated by considering the excitation of a neighbouring vibrational (control) state through an intense, mid-infrared control laser. We observe that, similar to the processes employed in stimulated emission depletion microscopy, the CARS signal exhibits saturation behaviour if the transition rate between the vibrational and the control state is large. Our approach opens up the possibility of achieving chemically selectivity sub-diffraction-limited spatially resolved imaging

A Rapid and Efficient Method for Purifying High Quality Total RNA from Peaches (Prunus persica) for Functional Genomics Analyses

http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0716-97602005000100010&lng=es&nrm=isoPrunus persica has been proposed as a genomic model for deciduous trees and the Rosaceae family. Optimized protocols for RNA isolation are necessary to further advance studies in this model species such that functional genomics analyses may be performed. Here we present an optimized protocol to rapidly and efficiently purify high quality total RNA from peach fruits (Prunus persica). Isolating high-quality RNA from fruit tissue is often difficult due to large quantities of polysaccharides and polyphenolic compounds that accumulate in this tissue and co-purify with the RNA. Here we demonstrate that a modified version of the method used to isolate RNA from pine trees and the woody plant Cinnamomun tenuipilum is ideal for isolating high quality RNA from the fruits of Prunus persica. This RNA may be used for many functional genomic based experiments such as RT-PCR and the construction of large-insert cDNA libraries

The Clinical Utility of a Precision Medicine Blood Test Incorporating Age, Sex, and Gene Expression for Evaluating Women with Stable Symptoms Suggestive of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Analysis from the PRESET Registry.

Background: Evaluating women with symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains challenging. A blood-based precision medicine test yielding an age/sex/gene expression score (ASGES) has shown clinical validity in the diagnosis of obstructive CAD. We assessed the effect of the ASGES on the management of women with suspected obstructive CAD in a community-based registry. Materials and Methods: The prospective PRESET (A Registry to Evaluate Patterns of Care Associated with the Use of Corus® CAD in Real World Clinical Care Settings) Registry (NCT01677156) enrolled 566 patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of stable obstructive CAD from 21 United States primary care practices from 2012 to 2014. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and referrals to cardiology or further functional and/or anatomical cardiac studies after ASGES testing were collected for this subgroup analysis of women from the PRESET Registry. Patients were followed for 1-year post-ASGES testing. Results: This study cohort included 288 women with a median age 57 years. The median body mass index was 29.2, with hyperlipidemia and hypertension present in 48% and 43% of patients, respectively. Median ASGES was 8.5 (range 1-40), with 218 (76%) patients having low (≤15) ASGES. Clinicians referred 9% (20/218) low ASGES versus 44% (31/70) elevated ASGES women for further cardiac evaluation (odds ratio 0.14, p < 0.0001, adjusted for patient demographics and clinical covariates). Across the score range, higher ASGES were associated with a higher likelihood of posttest cardiac referral. At 1-year follow-up, low ASGES women experienced fewer major adverse cardiac events than elevated ASGES women (1.3% vs. 4.2% respectively, p = 0.16). Conclusions: Incorporation of ASGES into the diagnostic workup demonstrated clinical utility by helping clinicians identify women less likely to benefit from further cardiac evaluation

Direct Mechanism of Reaction CH3 ++CH4→C2H5 ++H2

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/jcp/51/1/10.1063/1.167175

Revision of Oedichirus.

137 p. : ill. (some col.), maps ; 26 cm.The New World species of Oedichirus Erichson, 1839, are revised, redescribed, or newly described, illustrated, and included in keys for identification. The morphology of the ventral pterothoracic sclerites is examined and Matsuda's (1970) interpretation is largely adopted over that of Ferris (1940b). Newly discovered characters of the median gonocoxal plate and associated vulvar plate, including its microstructures, are discussed. Prior to the present paper New World species were known in Brazil and Costa Rica, but are herein newly reported for the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina; a specimen intercepted at a port in the United States was said to have come from Nicaragua. Eight species were previously described; 19 new ones are added herein, 12 from Brazil (O. apiculus, O. batillus, O. bicristatus, O. bullaglaber, O. bullahirtus, O. clavolateralis, O. clavulus, O. echinatus, O. exilis, O. glabrihamus, O. lunatus, and O. procerus), two from Mexico (O. isthmus and O. sinuosus), and one each from Argentina (O. misionesiensis), Bolivia (O. dilophus), Ecuador (O. distortus), Peru (O. hamatus), and Dominican Republic (O. dominicanensis). A neotype is designated for O. geniculatus and lectotypes are designated for O. brunneus Wendeler, O. pictipes Bierig, O. ohausi Wendeler, O. optatus Sharp, O. sparsipennis Bernhauer, and O. speculifrons Bernhauer. Some species are included in species groups

Classification of species groups, phylogeny, natural history, and catalogue (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Oxytelinae)

367 p. : ill., maps ; 26 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 335-355) and indexes."The purpose of this monograph is to review and reinterpret what is known about Bledius with the goal of prompting further study of the genus. Included are a new infrageneric classification for the world; discussions of the life cycle, habitat, distribution, enemies, chemical secretions, economic importance, immature stages, fossils, and phylogeny; and a cross-indexed annotated catalogue to the taxonomic names and associated literature. Formal taxonomic changes include the following: Bledius minniensis from Armenia is a new species, Neobledius is a new synonym of Bledius and Elbidus, and Microbledius and Psamathobledius are new synonyms of Bledius. New combinations include B. karachiensis transferred from Neobledius and actitus, litoreus, and playanus transferred from Microbledius. New names include albanicus and jutlandensis which replace the preoccupied nebulosus Koch and atlanticus Lohse, respectively. The following names are labeled as new status: B. castaneipennis Mannerheim is elevated from synonymy with opacus Block; atramentarius Rottenberg is elevated from synonymy with and replaces bos Fauvel which was described a year later; limicola Tottenham is elevated from synonymy with and replaces germanicus Wagner which is preoccupied by germanicus Gravenhorst; minor Mulsant and Rey is elevated from synonymy with and replaces devillei Bondroit which was an unnecessary replacement name. Two names are emended: cariniceps for carinlceps and ghesquierei for guesquierei. Six names, bubalus Gistel, castaneus Mulsant and Rey, chimerinus Gistel, germanicus Gravenhorst, gyllenhalii Laporte, and westerhauseri Gistel are used herein for the first time since their original publication. All eight currently recognized subgenera are treated as synonyms of Bledius. In their place a classification of 34 species groups is proposed. This classification is based on examination of 422 of the 439 species of Bledius. The species were assigned to species groups based on examination of type material or subsequently identified specimens. Nine species were assigned to species groups from characters in the original description -- each such assignment is clearly indicated. Eight species are listed as incertae sedis for one or more of the following reasons: material was unavailable for study, the description did not cite sufficient information for placement in a species group, the types were lost, or the species was unknown. Descriptions, illustrations, a list of included species and localities, and a distributional map are provided for each species group along with a key to the group. No effort was made to define or revise species. The monophyly of Bledius is established by the presence of a cluster of secretory pores in a prosternal pit or depression and the possession in females of a pair of elongate, undivided genital sclerites on segment IX. Both Bledius and its sister genus Eppelsheimius have a central row of spine-like setae on the hypopharynx; they share other characters as well. The relationships among the species groups are shown in a cladogram on which many characters are homoplasic. Bledius comprises two main lineages. One with 14 species groups and 88 species includes, among others, the large robust species with horns. Most species of this branch live in saline habitats. Two of the species groups are restricted to the New World. The sister lineage includes the remaining 20 species groups and more than 340 species. A terminal cluster of species groups along with species in three other groups live in saline habitats; the others, including the four most speciose groups, live in freshwater habitats. In this lineage 3 species groups are confined to the New World, 11 to the Old, and the remaining 6 are widespread in both hemispheres. The primitive habitat for Bledius was near salt water. One descendent remains there; the other adapted to the freshwater habitat. In this second lineage some highly speciose groups developed near freshwater and there was a reinvasion of the saline habitat. Bledius is a large genus of 439 species, some of which occur in huge populations. Species are found on all continents except Antarctica and on most continental islands but are absent from most oceanic islands. Although only a third of the species lives in saline habitats (inland as well as coastal), these species represent two-thirds of the species groups. Two-thirds of the species live in freshwater habitats, representing the remaining third of the species groups. Bledius may have lived as far back as the Cretaceous. Nine fossil species have been described as belonging in Bledius, however, two of these are no longer included. Of the remaining seven only Bledius glaciatus from the Pleistocene and B. primitiarum of the Oligocene are likely to be Bledius. Another probable member of Bledius is Staphylinus lesleyi Scudder also of the Oligocene; this species has not been moved to Bledius. Although the oldest probable fossils of Bledius are about 35 million years old, evidence suggests that the Oxytelinae existed about 150 million years ago during the Jurassic. Species of Bledius are most abundant in unvegetated or lightly vegetated, sunny, moist sand adjacent to rivers, lakes, and oceans. They preferentially select their habitat based on soil moisture, salinity, texture, and, indirectly at least, size of the sand grains, availability of food, and amount of shade. The pressure of predators may influence habitat limits but that may be partly due to the physiological weakening of a Bledius that is not living in its optimal habitat. Although as yet undemonstrated, food plant specificity may influence habitat selection by Bledius. Bledius lives in burrows which adults excavate with their mandibles and strengthen with their protibiae. The burrows are several millimeters to about 40 cm deep and about 1 to 5 mm in diameter. Larvae also construct and live in burrows. Eggs are laid in special egg chambers; some species cache food in the burrow. The burrow serves not only as living quarters for Bledius but helps protect them. Bledius can live at a relative humidity of 100 percent to no less than 93 percent. The humidity within the burrow is nearly 100 percent. Some seacoastal species live in the intertidal zone where they remain during high tide. Individuals that stay in the burrow during high tide live in an air bubble, which acts as a physical gill, and are immediately active after the tide recedes. Individuals exposed directly to seawater fly away or survive by becoming comatose and recover only slowly when removed from the water; most, however, die after a few hours of immersion. Usually the adults overwinter in deep burrows. Eggs are deposited during spring or early summer and develop in two to three weeks. The larval stage lasts for six to eight weeks and the five instars are each of undetermined length. Pupae exist for about a week. Egg to adult then is two to three months. During the summer adults live for three to six weeks. Females oviposit several times; the number of generations per year is unclear but may vary according to species and climate. Larval characters have been published for 19 species. Adults and larvae feed on algae and diatoms that live in the moisture surrounding each sand grain. The green algae there are said to be stunted filamentous forms. Some Bledius facultatively store algae. Some species are said to exhibit subsocial behavior by attending to their offspring. Evidence for this interpretation is inconclusive. Carabid beetles of Dyschirius are regarded as the principal predators of Bledius. However, little evidence is found to support a species-specific host-prey relationship. More likely, the relationship of Bledius and Dyschirius is based on geographical distribution and habitat preference. Over 50 species of Dyschirius are reported with over 80 species of Bledius. Other Carabidae reported as actual or probable predators of Bledius include species of Cillenum, Bembidion, Pogonus, Dicheirotrichus, Clivina, and Schizogenius. The ichneumonid wasp, Barycnemis blediator, is a parasitoid of Bledius spectabilis. Sandpipers and rainbow trout also eat Bledius. Fungi of the order Laboulbeniales commonly infest Bledius and, although usually regarded as benign, one report suggests otherwise. Species of Bledius secrete a characteristic, penetratingly fragrant chemical of five components. That this secretion functions as a defensive chemical is debatable. No experimentally supported hypotheses have explained the function of this compound. One species in Japan was reported to do economically significant damage to clay beds used to produce salt by evaporation of seawater. The literature for and taxonomic names used in Bledius are summarized in a catalogue. Fifteen generic-level names have been used in Bledius; 646 species-level names have been used, 434 of which are presently listed as valid and extant. All names that have been included in Bledius are listed in the catalogue. The species names are cross-indexed and the references annotated"--P. 5-6