Push is Fast on Sparse Random Graphs

We consider the classical push broadcast process on a large class of sparse random multigraphs that includes random power law graphs and multigraphs. Our analysis shows that for every $\varepsilon>0$, whp $O(\log n)$ rounds are sufficient to inform all but an $\varepsilon$-fraction of the vertices. It is not hard to see that, e.g. for random power law graphs, the push process needs whp $n^{\Omega(1)}$ rounds to inform all vertices. Fountoulakis, Panagiotou and Sauerwald proved that for random graphs that have power law degree sequences with $\beta>3$, the push-pull protocol needs $\Omega(\log n)$ to inform all but $\varepsilon n$ vertices whp. Our result demonstrates that, for such random graphs, the pull mechanism does not (asymptotically) improve the running time. This is surprising as it is known that, on random power law graphs with $2<\beta<3$, push-pull is exponentially faster than pull

The relation of phase noise and luminance contrast to overt attention in complex visual stimuli

Models of attention are typically based on difference maps in low-level features but neglect higher order stimulus structure. To what extent does higher order statistics affect human attention in natural stimuli? We recorded eye movements while observers viewed unmodified and modified images of natural scenes. Modifications included contrast modulations (resulting in changes to first- and second-order statistics), as well as the addition of noise to the Fourier phase (resulting in changes to higher order statistics). We have the following findings: (1) Subjects' interpretation of a stimulus as a “natural” depiction of an outdoor scene depends on higher order statistics in a highly nonlinear, categorical fashion. (2) Confirming previous findings, contrast is elevated at fixated locations for a variety of stimulus categories. In addition, we find that the size of this elevation depends on higher order statistics and reduces with increasing phase noise. (3) Global modulations of contrast bias eye position toward high contrasts, consistent with a linear effect of contrast on fixation probability. This bias is independent of phase noise. (4) Small patches of locally decreased contrast repel eye position less than large patches of the same aggregate area, irrespective of phase noise. Our findings provide evidence that deviations from surrounding statistics, rather than contrast per se, underlie the well-established relation of contrast to fixation

Activation émotionnelle chez les troubles de personnalité

Six traitements psychothérapiques des troubles de personnalité sont brièvement présentés dans cette revue de la littérature. Ces traitements se basent sur des modèles théoriques différents, les approches cognitive-comportementale, psychodynamique et interpersonnelle et ont déjà fait leurs preuves cliniques et empiriques en termes de leur efficacité. Se centrant sur les processus de changement thérapeutique, les auteurs émettent l’hypothèse que le processus d’activation émotionnelle est l’un des ingrédients les plus intéressants de ces traitements. Les traitements sont discutés sous l’angle de cette hypothèse et de ses implications cliniques.There are at least six psychotherapeutic treatments of personality disorders having received empirical and clinical validation in terms of their efficacy. These treatments are based on different theoretical models, namely the cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic and interpersonal models. This article briefly presents these treatments, focusing on the process of therapeutic change. It is assumed that the process of emotional activation is one of the most interesting theoretical psychotherapy ingredient in treatments of these patients. The treatments are discussed regarding this hypothesis and its clinical implications.En esta revisión de la literatura se presentan brevemente seis tratamientos psicoterapéuticos de los trastornos de la personalidad. Estos tratamientos se basan en modelos teóricos diferentes, los enfoques cognitivo-comportamentales, psicodinámicos e interpersonales, cuya eficacia ya ha sido probada clínica y empíricamente. Al centrarse en los procesos de cambio terapéutico, los autores plantean la hipótesis de que el proceso de activación emocional es uno de los componentes más interesantes de estos tratamientos. Los tratamientos se discuten bajo el punto de vista de esta hipótesis y sus implicaciones clínicas.Seis tratamentos psicoterápicos dos transtornos de personalidade são apresentados brevemente nesta revista da literatura. Estes tratamentos baseiam-se em modelos teóricos diferentes, abordagens cognitivo-comportamental, psicodinâmica e interpessoal, e já passaram por provas clínicas e empíricas com respeito à sua eficácia. Concentrando-se nos processos de mudança terapêutica, os autores levantam a hipótese de que o processo de ativação emocional é um dos ingredientes mais interessantes destes tratamentos. Os tratamentos são discutidos sob o ângulo desta hipótese e destas implicações clínicas

Monitoring serum concentrations for once-daily netilmicin dosing regimens

A once-daily dosing regimen for aminoglycosides is less expensive, at least as effective and possibly less toxic than multiple-daily dosing regimens. Once-daily dosing might also allow the frequency of measuring the serum concentrations of these antibiotics to be reduced since two of the major objectives of monitoring, high peak and low trough concentrations, are more likely to be achieved with this regimen. A novel strategy for monitoring serum concentrations which relies on a single sample obtained 8 h after a dose, as opposed to both trough and peak samples, is evaluated here. Serum kinetics of netilmicin were studied prospectively in 51 adult patients with initial serum creatinine concentrations of 25 μmol/L was detected in 0 of 7 patients with an 8-h concentration of 6 mg/L. The results of this study suggest that adequate information about serum netilmicin concentrations in patients receiving a once-daily dose may be derived from a sample obtained 8 h after administratio

Experiences with the planting of Sorghum bicolor L (Moench) in Switzerland

Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench is one of the most important arable crops worldwide. Although the main cropping area lies in warm regions like India, Africa and America, sorghum is also cropped successfully in Europe. Surface planted with sorghum increased again during the past few years, among other reasons also because of the low pressure of insects and diseases and because its ability to outlast drought periods better compared to maize. Up to now little information about the cropping of sorghum in Switzerland was available. In order to gain information about the quantity and quality of sorghum grown in Switzerland, field trials with different varieties were established during the years 2009, 2010, and 2011. Best yields of the earliest maturing varieties in the year 2009 in the small plot experiment were satisfactory: up to 11.0 t ha-1 with a dry matter content of 84% at the time of the harvest. In order to meet the requirements for a fast development, a complete pollination and grain formation, only sites excluding natural depressions or wind-exposed sites and the prevention of too early seeding should be consid¬ered. The analyses of the grains showed, that the Swiss sorghum is of good quality and can compete for this aspect with imported sorghum. This successful cropping of sorghum in Switzerland shows, that more information on C4-species is necessary to Swiss farmers, as the availability of cultivars adapted to the climatic conditions in Switzerland can offer a solution to the changing conditions of the environment

On globally sparse Ramsey graphs

We say that a graph $G$ has the Ramsey property w.r.t.\ some graph $F$ and some integer $r\geq 2$, or $G$ is $(F,r)$-Ramsey for short, if any $r$-coloring of the edges of $G$ contains a monochromatic copy of $F$. R{\"o}dl and Ruci{\'n}ski asked how globally sparse $(F,r)$-Ramsey graphs $G$ can possibly be, where the density of $G$ is measured by the subgraph $H\subseteq G$ with the highest average degree. So far, this so-called Ramsey density is known only for cliques and some trivial graphs $F$. In this work we determine the Ramsey density up to some small error terms for several cases when $F$ is a complete bipartite graph, a cycle or a path, and $r\geq 2$ colors are available