4,095 research outputs found
Phase Transition in Matched Formulas and a Heuristic for Biclique Satisfiability
A matched formula is a CNF formula whose incidence graph admits a matching
which matches a distinct variable to every clause. We study phase transition in
a context of matched formulas and their generalization of biclique satisfiable
formulas. We have performed experiments to find a phase transition of property
"being matched" with respect to the ratio where is the number of
clauses and is the number of variables of the input formula . We
compare the results of experiments to a theoretical lower bound which was shown
by Franco and Gelder (2003). Any matched formula is satisfiable, moreover, it
remains satisfiable even if we change polarities of any literal occurrences.
Szeider (2005) generalized matched formulas into two classes having the same
property -- var-satisfiable and biclique satisfiable formulas. A formula is
biclique satisfiable if its incidence graph admits covering by pairwise
disjoint bounded bicliques. Recognizing if a formula is biclique satisfiable is
NP-complete. In this paper we describe a heuristic algorithm for recognizing
whether a formula is biclique satisfiable and we evaluate it by experiments on
random formulas. We also describe an encoding of the problem of checking
whether a formula is biclique satisfiable into SAT and we use it to evaluate
the performance of our heuristicComment: Conference version submitted to SOFSEM 2018
(https://beda.dcs.fmph.uniba.sk/sofsem2019/) 18 pages(17 without refernces),
3 figures, 8 tables, an algorithm pseudocod
Ras/Raf-1/MAPK pathway mediates response to tamoxifen but not chemotherapy in breast cancer patients
<b>Purpose</b>: The expression and activation of the Ras/Raf-1/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays an important role in the development and progression of cancer, and may influence response to treatments such as tamoxifen and chemotherapy. In this study we investigated whether the expression and activation of the key components of this pathway influenced clinical outcome, to test the hypothesis that activation of the MAPK pathway drives resistance to tamoxifen and chemotherapy in women with breast cancer.
<b>Experimental Design</b>: Breast tumors from patients at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and others treated within the BR9601 trial were analyzed for expression of the three Ras isoforms, total Raf-1, active and inactive forms of Raf-1 [pRaf(ser338) and pRaf(ser259), respectively], MAPK, and phospho-MAPK using an immunohistochemical approach. Analyses were done with respect to disease free-survival and overall survival.
<b>Results</b>: Expression and activation of the Ras pathway was associated with loss of benefit from treatment with tamoxifen but not chemotherapy. Overexpression of pRaf(ser338) was associated with shortened disease-free and overall survival time in univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis suggested pRaf(ser338) was independent of known prognostic markers in predicting outcome following tamoxifen treatment (<i>P</i>=0.03).
<b>Conclusion</b>: This study suggests that activation of the Ras pathway predicts for poor outcome on tamoxifen but not chemotherapy, and identifies pRaf(ser338) as a potential marker of resistance to estrogen receptorâtargeted therapy. In addition, it suggests that expression of pRaf(ser338) could identify patients for whom tamoxifen alone is insufficient adjuvant systemic therapy, but for whom the addition of chemotherapy may be of benefit
Domestic ventilation rates, indoor humidity and dust mite allergens : are our homes causing the asthma pandemic?
This paper is concerned with historical changes in domestic ventilation rates, relative humidity and the associated risk of house dust mite colonization. A controlled trial evaluated allergen and water vapour control measures on the level of house dust mite (HDM) Der p1 allergen and indoor humidity, concurrently with changes in lung function in 54 subjects who completed the protocol. Mechanical heat recovery ventilation units significantly reduced moisture content in the active group, while HDM allergen reservoirs in carpets and beds were reduced by circa 96%. Self reported health status confirmed a significant clinical improvement in the active group. The study can form the basis for assessing minimum winter ventilation rates that can suppress RH below the critical ambient equilibrium humidity of 60% and thus inhibit dust mite colonization and activity in temperate and maritime in' uenced climatic regions
On the stable degree of graphs
We define the stable degree s(G) of a graph G by s(G)â=â min max d (v), where the minimum is taken over all maximal independent sets U of G. For this new parameter we prove the following. Deciding whether a graph has stable degree at most k is NP-complete for every fixed kââ„â3; and the stable degree is hard to approximate. For asteroidal triple-free graphs and graphs of bounded asteroidal number the stable degree can be computed in polynomial time. For graphs in these classes the treewidth is bounded from below and above in terms of the stable degree
A Detailed Study of the Gluino Decay into the Third Generation Squarks at the CERN LHC
In supersymmetric models a gluino can decay into tb\tilde{\chi}^{\pm}_1
through a stop or a sbottom. The decay chain produces an edge structure in the
m_{tb} distribution. Monte Carlo simulation studies show that the end point and
the edge height would be measured at the CERN LHC by using a sideband
subtraction technique. The stop and sbottom masses as well as their decay
branching ratios are constrained by the measurement. We study interpretations
of the measurement in the minimal supergravity model. We also study the gluino
decay into tb and \tilde{\chi}^{\pm}_2 as well as the influence of the stop
left-right mixing on the m_{bb} distribution of the tagged events.Comment: revtex, 20 pages in PRD format, 35 eps file
Poor survival outcomes in HER2 positive breast cancer patients with low grade, node negative tumours
We present a retrospective analysis on a cohort of low-grade, node-negative patients showing that human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status significantly affects the survival in this otherwise very good prognostic group. Our results provide support for the use of adjuvant trastuzumab in patients who are typically classified as having very good prognosis, not routinely offered standard chemotherapy, and who as such do not fit current UK prescribing guidelines for trastuzumab
Scintillation efficiency of liquid xenon for nuclear recoils with the energy down to 5 keV
The scintillation efficiency of liquid xenon for nuclear recoils has been
measured to be nearly constant in the recoil energy range from 140 keV down to
5 keV. The average ratio of the efficiency for recoils to that for gamma-rays
is found to be 0.19+-0.02.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure
Phosphorylated c-Src in the nucleus is associated with improved patient outcome in ER-positive breast cancer
Elevated c-Src protein expression has been shown in breast cancer and <i>in vitro</i> evidence suggests a role in endocrine resistance. To investigate whether c-Src is involved in endocrine resistance, we examined the expression of both total and activated c-Src in human breast cancer specimens from a cohort of oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients. Tissue microarray technology was employed to analyse 262 tumour specimens taken before tamoxifen treatment. Immunohistochemistry using total c-Src and activated c-Src antibodies was performed. KaplanâMeier survival curves were constructed and log-rank test were performed. High level of nuclear activated Src was significantly associated with improved overall survival (<i>P</i>=0.047) and lower recurrence rates on tamoxifen (<i>P</i>=0.02). Improved patient outcome was only seen with activated Src in the nucleus. Nuclear activated Src expression was significantly associated with node-negative disease and a lower NPI (<i>P</i><0.05). On subgroup analysis, only ER-positive/progesterone receptor (PgR)-positive tumours were associated with improved survival (<i>P</i>=0.004). This shows that c-Src activity is increased in breast cancer and that activated Src within the nucleus of ER-positive tumours predicts an improved outcome. In ER/PgR-positive disease, activated Src kinase does not appear to be involved in <i>de novo</i> endocrine resistance. Further study is required in ER-negative breast cancer as this may represent a cohort in which it is associated with poor outcome
A Measurement of Photon Production in Electron Avalanches in CF4
This paper presents a measurement of the ratio of photon to electron
production and the scintillation spectrum in a popular gas for time pro jection
chambers, carbon tetrafluoride (CF4), over the range of 200 to 800 nm; the
ratio is measured to be 0.34+/-0.04. This result is of particular importance
for a new generation of dark matter time projection chambers with directional
sensitivity which use CF4 as a fill gas.Comment: 19 pages, including appendix. 8 figure
Conceptualizing the adventure-sports coach
As a comparatively recent development, the adventure-sports coach struggles for a clear and distinct identity. The generic term âinstructorâ no longer characterizes the role and function of this subgroup of outdoor professionals. Indeed, although the fields of adventure/outdoor education and leadership are comparatively well researched, the arrival of this ânew kid on the blockâ appears to challenge both the adventure-sports old guard and traditional views of sports coaching. In an attempt to offer clarity and stimulate debate, this paper attempts to conceptualize the adventure-sports coach in the context of the existing roles in the field and current motivations for activity in the outdoors. We identify issues that are specific to the adventure-sports coach while also recognizing those skills and competencies shared with other professionals, both in the adventure sports profession and traditional sports coaching fields. Based on this review, we offer a conceptual model which may be used to focus debate, stimulate research and, at a possible later stage, to underpin accreditation, training and professional development
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