On the Computational Complexity of Vertex Integrity and Component Order Connectivity

The Weighted Vertex Integrity (wVI) problem takes as input an $n$-vertex graph $G$, a weight function $w:V(G)\to\mathbb{N}$, and an integer $p$. The task is to decide if there exists a set $X\subseteq V(G)$ such that the weight of $X$ plus the weight of a heaviest component of $G-X$ is at most $p$. Among other results, we prove that: (1) wVI is NP-complete on co-comparability graphs, even if each vertex has weight $1$; (2) wVI can be solved in $O(p^{p+1}n)$ time; (3) wVI admits a kernel with at most $p^3$ vertices. Result (1) refutes a conjecture by Ray and Deogun and answers an open question by Ray et al. It also complements a result by Kratsch et al., stating that the unweighted version of the problem can be solved in polynomial time on co-comparability graphs of bounded dimension, provided that an intersection model of the input graph is given as part of the input. An instance of the Weighted Component Order Connectivity (wCOC) problem consists of an $n$-vertex graph $G$, a weight function $w:V(G)\to \mathbb{N}$, and two integers $k$ and $l$, and the task is to decide if there exists a set $X\subseteq V(G)$ such that the weight of $X$ is at most $k$ and the weight of a heaviest component of $G-X$ is at most $l$. In some sense, the wCOC problem can be seen as a refined version of the wVI problem. We prove, among other results, that: (4) wCOC can be solved in $O(\min\{k,l\}\cdot n^3)$ time on interval graphs, while the unweighted version can be solved in $O(n^2)$ time on this graph class; (5) wCOC is W[1]-hard on split graphs when parameterized by $k$ or by $l$; (6) wCOC can be solved in $2^{O(k\log l)} n$ time; (7) wCOC admits a kernel with at most $kl(k+l)+k$ vertices. We also show that result (6) is essentially tight by proving that wCOC cannot be solved in $2^{o(k \log l)}n^{O(1)}$ time, unless the ETH fails.Comment: A preliminary version of this paper already appeared in the conference proceedings of ISAAC 201

Infall of gas as the formation mechanism of stars up to 20 times more massive than the Sun

Theory predicts and observations confirm that low-mass stars (like the Sun) in their early life grow by accreting gas from the surrounding material. But for stars ~ 10 times more massive than the Sun (~10 M_sun), the powerful stellar radiation is expected to inhibit accretion and thus limit the growth of their mass. Clearly, stars with masses >10 M_sun exist, so there must be a way for them to form. The problem may be solved by non-spherical accretion, which allows some of the stellar photons to escape along the symmetry axis where the density is lower. The recent detection of rotating disks and toroids around very young massive stars has lent support to the idea that high-mass (> 8 M_sun) stars could form in this way. Here we report observations of an ammonia line towards a high-mass star forming region. We conclude from the data that the gas is falling inwards towards a very young star of ~20 M_sun, in line with theoretical predictions of non-spherical accretion.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figure

The effect of incorrect scanning distance on boundary detection errors and macular thickness measurements by spectral domain optical coherence tomography: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: To investigate the influence of scan distance on retinal boundary detection errors (RBDEs) and retinal thickness measurements by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: 10 eyes of healthy subjects, 10 eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) and 10 eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were examined with RTVue SD-OCT. The MM5 protocol was used in two consecutive sessions to scan the macula. For the first session, the device was set 3.5 cm from the eye in order to obtain detectable signal with low fundus image quality (suboptimal setting) while in the second session a distance of 2.5 cm was set with a good quality fundus image. The signal strength (SSI) value was recorded. The score for retinal boundary detection errors (RBDE) was calculated for ten scans of each examination. RBDE scores were recorded for the whole scan and also for the peripheral 1.0 mm region. RBDE scores, regional retinal thickness values and SSI values between the two sessions were compared. The correlation between SSI and the number of RBDEs was also examined. RESULTS: The SSI was significantly lower with suboptimal settings compared to optimal settings (63.9+/-12.0 vs. 68.3+/-12.2, respectively, p = 0.001) and the number of RBDEs was significantly higher with suboptimal settings in the "all-eyes" group along with the group of healthy subjects and eyes with DME (9.1+/-6.5 vs. 6.8+/-6.3, p = 0.007; 4.4+/-2.6 vs. 2.5+/-1.6, p = 0.035 and 9.7+/-3.3 vs. 5.1+/-3.7, p = 0.008, respectively). For these groups, significant negative correlation was found between the SSI and the number of RBDEs. In the AMD group, the number of RBDEs was markedly higher compared to the other groups and there was no difference in RBDEs between optimal and suboptimal settings with the errors being independent of the SSI. There were significantly less peripheral RBDEs with optimal settings in the "all-eyes" group and the DME subgroup (2.7+/-2.6 vs. 4.2+/-2.8, p = 0.001 and 1.4+/-1.7 vs. 4.1+/-2.2, p = 0.007, respectively). Retinal thickness in the two settings was significantly different only in the outer-superior region in DME. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal distance settings improve SD-OCT SSI with a decrease in RBDEs while retinal thickness measurements are independent of scanning distance

WHY MASS APPEARS GRAVITATIONAL

Einsteins theory of General relativity is a popular theory, but unfortunately it cannot account for all the observable gravity in the universe. This paper presents a new force predicted through the McMahon field theory (2010) [1], which is refered to in McMahon field theory (2010) [1] as Mahona (pronounced Maa-naa), which appears to be gravitational. In this paper, I draw upon the McMahon field theory (2010) [1], and use it to explain why mass appears gravitational, as well as the source of the excess gravity that General relativity cannot account for. I will do this in simplistic terms for the benefit of the reader. Thus with the understanding presented here, any vechicle utilising this new force called Mahona shall have gravitational capability

Accretion Disks Around Black Holes: Twenty Five Years Later

We study the progress of the theory of accretion disks around black holes in last twenty five years and explain why advective disks are the best bet in explaining varied stationary and non-stationary observations from black hole candidates. We show also that the recently proposed advection dominated flows are incorrect.Comment: 30 Latex pages including figures. Kluwer Style files included. Appearing in `Observational Evidence for Black Holes in the Universe', ed. Sandip K. Chakrabarti, Kluwer Academic Publishers (DORDRECHT: Holland

A process-mining-based scenarios generation method for SOA application development

Business process models which are usually constructed by business designers from experience and analysis are the main guidelines for services composition in the service-oriented architecture (SOA) applications development. However, due to the complexity of business models, it is a challenging task for business process designers to optimize the process models dynamically in accordance with changes in business environments. In this paper, a process-mining-based method is proposed to support business process designers to monitor efficiency or capture the changes of a business process. Firstly, we define a scenario model to depict business elements and their relationships which are critical to business process design. Based on the proposed scenario model, process mining algorithms, including control flow mining, roles mining and data flow mining are carried out in a certain sequence synthetically to extract business scenarios from event logs recorded by SOA application systems. Finally, we implement a prototype using a logistic scenario to illustrate the feasibility of our method in SOA applications development

Refractory septic shock in children: a European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care definition

PURPOSE: Although overall paediatric septic shock mortality is decreasing, refractory septic shock (RSS) is still associated with high mortality. A definition for RSS is urgently needed to facilitate earlier identification and treatment. We aim to establish a European society of paediatric and neonatal intensive care (ESPNIC) experts' definition of paediatric RSS. METHODS: We conducted a two-round Delphi study followed by an observational multicentre retrospective study. One hundred and fourteen paediatric intensivists answered a clinical case-based, two-round Delphi survey, identifying clinical items consistent with RSS. Multivariate analysis of these items in a development single-centre cohort (70 patients, 30 % mortality) facilitated development of RSS definitions based on either a bedside or computed severity score. Both scores were subsequently tested in a validation cohort (six centres, 424 patients, 11.6 % mortality). RESULTS: From the Delphi process, the draft definition included evidence of myocardial dysfunction and high blood lactate levels despite high vasopressor treatment. When assessed in the development population, each item was independently associated with the need for extracorporeal life support (ECLS) or death. Resultant bedside and computed septic shock scores had high discriminative power against the need for ECLS or death, with areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.920 (95 % CI 0.89-0.94), and 0.956 (95 % CI 0.93-0.97), respectively. RSS defined by a bedside score equal to or higher than 2 and a computed score equal to or higher than 3.5 was associated with a significant increase in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This ESPNIC definition of RSS accurately identifies children with the most severe form of septic shock

The polygenic nature of hypertriglyceridaemia: implications for definition, diagnosis, and management.

Plasma triglyceride concentration is a biomarker for circulating triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their metabolic remnants. Common mild-to-moderate hypertriglyceridaemia is typically multigenic, and results from the cumulative burden of common and rare variants in more than 30 genes, as quantified by genetic risk scores. Rare autosomal recessive monogenic hypertriglyceridaemia can result from large-effect mutations in six different genes. Hypertriglyceridaemia is exacerbated by non-genetic factors. On the basis of recent genetic data, we redefine the disorder into two states: severe (triglyceride concentration >10 mmol/L), which is more likely to have a monogenic cause; and mild-to-moderate (triglyceride concentration 2-10 mmol/L). Because of clustering of susceptibility alleles and secondary factors in families, biochemical screening and counselling for family members is essential, but routine genetic testing is not warranted. Treatment includes management of lifestyle and secondary factors, and pharmacotherapy. In severe hypertriglyceridaemia, intervention is indicated because of pancreatitis risk; in mild-to-moderate hypertriglyceridaemia, intervention can be indicated to prevent cardiovascular disease, dependent on triglyceride concentration, concomitant lipoprotein disturbances, and overall cardiovascular risk

Organic beef and sheep production in the uplands OF0111

The overall objective of the organic project at ADAS Redesdale is to evaluate the physical and financial implicattions of converting a hill and upland unit to an organic farming system. Conversion of 400 hectares, 600 breeding ewes (in 3 flocks) and 5 suckler cows was completed in 1993. The current evaluation (1995-1998) took place under full organic production. The assessmet is based on comparing organic and conventioanl farming systems, supported by data collected from commercial organic farms linked to the main project, and a number of replicated experiments. Grassland management on the Unit integrates three distinct types of grazing; inbye fields (3%), improved hill (17%) and unimproved native hill (80%) for sheep and cattle production. Native hill receives no inputs under organic or conventional management, so that potential differences in output are very much reduced. Low levels of fertiliser and pesticide inputs are made to conventionally managed imroved hill land, with only small differnces in output ad livestock performance. The largest potential differences occur on the more productive inbye land, which receive a high level of inputs conventially. Relying mainly on clover organically managed swards, have been able to achieve 80%, or more, of the forage output from conventional swards receiving over 200 kg N ha-1. Newcastle University undertook an assessment of botanical composition on native hill, improved native and improved hill few changes have been detected, mainly due to the maintenance of comparable stocking rates on the organic and conventional systems. However in one flock, where stocking rate was reduced by 25% there were some indications of an improvement in heather cover. Good levels of livestock performance have been achieved for a hill farming system. However at the same stocking rate, organically managed ewes were consistently lighter and leaner than those managed conventionally. Lambs in the conventional flock grew 5 to 10% and 2 to 17% faster for single and twin lambs respectively. In the organically managed suckler herd, high levels of fertility were achieved. Stocking rates were reduced by 15% and 25% in two further organic flocks, and as a consequence, individual performance remaiined at a high level for a hill system. Calf growth rates averaged 0.8kg from birth to sale, as forward stores at 16-17 months of age. Premium markets have been found for organic store labs and cattle, demonstrating th epotential for better integration of organic hill and lowland systems. The health status of organically managed stock has also been good. The main health issues were trace element nutrition and parasite control. A system of alternative sheep and cattle grazing has been implemented to give better control of stomach worms, reducing the requirement for anthelmintic use compared to the conventional flock. Observational studies using homeopathy for orf and pasteurella pneumonia have shown promising results. Payments made under the Organic Aid Scheme, a premium of approx. 10% on the sale of organic store animals, and reduced forage costs have enabled an organic system to achieve similar, or improved, Net Farm Income relative to the conventional. At lower stocking densities, the individual performance of orgaic livestock animal was improved, and in appropriate circumstances the use of agri-environmental scheme payments can offset the reduction in output where stocking rates are reduced to accomadate an organic system. The results continue to show that an organic hill and upland system can be competitive with conventional production. The unit is recognised as a valuable source of research and information on organic production. The next stage of the project will capitalise on this investment, using the resources available on the Unit to promote and further develop organic farming systems. further evaluation is planned (1998-2001) to take account of longer term trends in grassland and livestock performance, the continuing evolution of markets for organic produce and the development of production standards for organic livestock

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives