51 research outputs found
A Nearly Linear-Time PTAS for Explicit Fractional Packing and Covering Linear Programs
We give an approximation algorithm for packing and covering linear programs
(linear programs with non-negative coefficients). Given a constraint matrix
with n non-zeros, r rows, and c columns, the algorithm computes feasible primal
and dual solutions whose costs are within a factor of 1+eps of the optimal cost
in time O((r+c)log(n)/eps^2 + n).Comment: corrected version of FOCS 2007 paper: 10.1109/FOCS.2007.62. Accepted
to Algorithmica, 201
Proximity induced metal/insulator transition in superlattices
The far-infrared dielectric response of superlattices (SL) composed of
superconducting YBaCuO (YBCO) and ferromagnetic La%
CaMnO (LCMO) has been investigated by ellipsometry. A drastic
decrease of the free carrier response is observed which involves an unusually
large length scale of d20 nm in YBCO and d10
nm in LCMO. A corresponding suppression of metallicity is not observed in SLs
where LCMO is replaced by the paramagnetic metal LaNiO. Our data suggest
that either a long range charge transfer from the YBCO to the LCMO layers or
alternatively a strong coupling of the charge carriers to the different and
competitive kind of magnetic correlations in the LCMO and YBCO layers are at
the heart of the observed metal/insulator transition. The low free carrier
response observed in the far-infrared dielectric response of the magnetic
superconductor RuSrGdCuO is possibly related to this effect
Role of genetic testing for inherited prostate cancer risk: Philadelphia prostate cancer consensus conference 2017
Purpose: Guidelines are limited for genetic testing for prostate cancer (PCA). The goal of this conference was to develop an expert consensus-dri
Ancient DNA forces reconsideration of evolutionary history of Mediterranean pygmy elephantids
During the Pleistocene pygmy elephantids, some only a quarter of their ancestors' size, were present on Mediterranean islands until about 10 000 years ago (y.a.). Using a new methodology for ancient DNA (aDNA) studies, the whole genomic multiple displacement amplification method, we were able to retrieve cytochrome b (cytb) DNA fragments from 4200 to 800 000 y.a. specimens from island and mainland samples, including pygmy and normal-sized forms. The short DNA sequence (43 bp) retrieved from the 800 000 y.a. sample is one of the oldest DNA fragment ever retrieved. Duplication of the experiments in two laboratories, the occurrence of three diagnostic sites and the results of the phylogenetic analyses strongly support its authenticity. Our results challenge the prevailing view that pygmy elephantids of the eastern Mediterranean originated exclusively from Elephas, suggesting independent histories of dwarfism and the presence of both pygmy mammoths and elephant-like taxa on these islands. Based on our molecular data, the origin of the Tilos and Cyprus elephantids from a lineage within the genus Elephas is confirmed, while the DNA sequence from the Cretan sample falls clearly within the mammoth clade. Thus, the name Mammuthus creticus rather than Elephas creticus, seems to be justified for this form. Our findings also suggest a need to re-evaluate the evolutionary history of the Sicilian/Maltese species, traditionally included in the genus Elephas
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