An Efficient Implementation of a Quasi-polynomial Algorithm for Generating Hypergraph Transversals

Given a finite set V, and a hypergraph , the hypergraph transversal problem calls for enumerating all minimal hitting sets (transversals) for . This problem plays an important role in practical applications as many other problems were shown to be polynomially equivalent to it. Fredman and Khachiyan (1996) gave an incremental quasi-polynomial time algorithm for solving the hypergraph transversal problem [9]. In this paper, we present an efficient implementation of this algorithm. While we show that our implementation achieves the same bound on the running time as in [9], practical experience with this implementation shows that it can be substantially faster. We also show that a slight modification of the algorithm in [9] can be used to give a stronger bound on the running time

GRS 1915+105 : High-energy Insights with SPI/INTEGRAL

We report on results of two years of INTEGRAL/SPI monitoring of the Galactic microquasar GRS 1915+105. From September 2004 to May 2006, the source has been observed twenty times with long (approx 100 ks) exposures. We present an analysis of the SPI data and focus on the description of the high-energy (> 20 keV) output of the source. We found that the 20 - 500 keV spectral emission of GRS 1915+105 was bound between two states. It seems that these high-energy states are not correlated with the temporal behavior of the source, suggesting that there is no direct link between the macroscopic characteristics of the coronal plasma and the the variability of the accretion flow. All spectra are well fitted by a thermal comptonization component plus an extra high-energy powerlaw. This confirms the presence of thermal and non-thermal electrons around the black hole.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables; accepted (09/11/2008) for publication in A&

Position Paper on Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus and Sustainable development Goals (SDGs)

The EU and the international community is realising that the Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystem components are interlinked and require a joint planning in order to meet the daunting global challenges related to Water, Energy and Food security and maintaining the ecosystem health and in this way, reach the SDGs. If not dealt with, the world will not be able to meet the demand for water, energy and food in a not too far future and, in any case, in a not sustainable way. The strain on the ecosystems resulting from unsustainable single-sector planning will lead to increasing poverty, inequality and instability. The Nexus approach is fully aligned with and supportive of the EU Consensus on Development. Key elements of the Consensus will require collaborative efforts across sectors in ways that can be supported/implemented by a Nexus approach. In this way, transparent and accountable decision-making, involving the civil society is key and common to the European Consensus on Development and the Nexus approach. The Nexus approach will support the implementation of the SDG in particular SDG 2 (Food), SDG 6 (Water) and SDG 7 (Energy), but most SDGs have elements that link to food, water and energy in one or other way, and will benefit from a Nexus approach. The SDGs are designed to be cross-cutting and be implemented together, which is also reflected in a WEFE Nexus approach. A Nexus approach offers a sustainable way of addressing the effects of Climate Change and increase resilience. The WEFE Nexus has in it the main drivers of climate change (water, energy and food security) and the main affected sectors (water and the environment). Decisions around policy, infrastructure, … developed based on the WEFE Nexus assessments will be suitable as elements of climate change mitigation and adaptation. In fact, it is difficult to imagine solutions to the climate change issue that are not built on a form of Nexus approach. The Nexus approach is being implemented around the world, as examples in the literature demonstrate. These examples together with more examples from EU and member state development cooperation will help build experience that can be consolidated and become an important contribution to a Toolkit for WEFE Nexus Implementation. From the expert discussions, it appears that because of the novelty of the approach, a Toolkit will be an important element in getting the Nexus approach widely used. This should build on experiences from practical examples of NEXUS projects or similar inter-sectorial collaboration projects; and, there are already policy, regulation and practical experience to allow institutions and countries to start applying the Nexus concept.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

Geometrical and transport properties of random packings of polydisperse spheres

International audienceLoose packings of spheres with bidisperse or log-normal distributions are generated by random sequential deposition. Porosity, conductivity, and permeability are determined. The porosities correspond to loose packings, but they follow the usual trends for bidisperse packings. The conductivity and permeability follow power laws as functions of the porosity of the packings. Several other quantities such as the classical Kozeny constant are successfully represented as functions of porosity. Some dimensionless representations gather the numerical data on curves valid for all particle distributions. Finally, comparisons with experimental data are satisfactory

The value of serial cervical length measurements for the prediction of threatened preterm labour

Objectives: To assess the predictive performance of cervical length measurement at presentation and 24 h later in women with symptoms of preterm labour. Study design: Cervical length was measured transvaginally at presentation and 24 hours later in 122 women presenting with threatened preterm labour between 23 and 33 + 6 gestational weeks. Results: Six women delivered within 1 week of presentation. The sensitivity and specificity of a cervical length 20% in cervical length 24 h after admission predicted 50% of preterm deliveries within 1 week, with a specificity of 92.7%; in combination with cervical length at presentation it did not improve the prediction. The same was observed for birth before 32 weeks (N = 9) and birth before 35 weeks (N = 15). Conclusions: Women with threatened preterm labour and a cervical length of <15 mm at presentation are at high risk of delivering preterm. Cervical change in the following 24 hours does not seem to improve the prediction

Geometrical and transport properties of Bentheimer sandstone

International audienc