bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crew resource management training in the intensive care unit. A multisite controlled before–after study
Authors: Kemper Peter F , de Bruijne Martine , van Dyck Cathy , So Ralph L , Tangkau Peter , Wagner Cordula
Published: July 2016

Introduction

There is a growing awareness today that adverse events in the intensive care unit (ICU) are more often caused by problems related to non-technical skills than by a lack of technical, or clinical, expertise. Team training, such as crew resource management (CRM), aims to improve these non-technical skills. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of CRM in the ICU.

Methods

Six ICUs participated in a paired controlled trial, with one pretest and two post-test measurements (after 3 and 12 months). Three ICUs received CRM training and were compared with a matched control unit. The 2-day classroom-based training was delivered to multidisciplinary groups (ie, ICU physicians, nurses, managers). All levels of Kirkpatrick's evaluation framework were assessed using a mixed method design, including questionnaires, observations and routinely administered patient outcome data.

Results

Level I—reaction: participants were very positive directly after the training. Level II—learning: attitudes towards behaviour aimed at optimising situational awareness were relatively high at baseline and remained stable. Level III—behaviour: self-reported behaviour aimed at optimising situational awareness improved in the intervention group. No changes were found in observed explicit professional oral communication. Level IV—organisation: patient outcomes were unaffected. Error management culture and job satisfaction improved in the intervention group. Patient safety culture improved in both control and intervention units.

Conclusions

We can conclude that CRM, as delivered in the present study, does not change behaviour or patient outcomes by itself, yet changes how participants think about errors and risks. This indicates that CRM requires a combination with other initiatives in order to improve clinical outcomes.
Quantification of degraded supervision of bathing in 108 French public swimming pools
Authors: Vignac Élie , Lebihain Pascal , Soulé Bastien
Published: July 2016

To prevent drowning incidents in French public swimming pools (PSP), bathing must be constantly supervised by qualified lifeguards. However, fatal drownings regularly occurs in supervised aquatic facilities, calling into question the efficacy of the supervision chain. The aim of this research is to fully assess the periods during which supervision is not carried out, or carried out in an inadequate manner. The observations made in 108 French PSP show that constant supervision, as stipulated by regulations, represents only half of the time. Over a total observation time of 54 hours, 147 periods during which the supervision system was degraded for 3 min or more were noticed. In the worst-case scenario, this possesses a significant problem in terms of survival probability without sequelae.
Secular trends in physical fitness and body size in Lithuanian children and adolescents between 1992 and 2012
Authors: Venckunas Tomas , Emeljanovas Arunas , Mieziene Brigita , Volbekiene Vida
Published: July 2016

Background and methods

There is a paucity of data on contemporary secular trends on the different aspects of physical fitness in school-aged children and adolescents. This study presents the largest ever data set on changes in fitness between 1992, 2002 and 2012 for both genders of schoolchildren aged 11–18 years (n=16 199). Eurofit test battery was used to assess the balance, flexibility, muscular strength and power, agility and cardiorespiratory fitness. Anthropometrics were also measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.

Results

The study has shown loss of flexibility, leg muscle power, upper body strength and cardiorespiratory fitness between 1992 and 2012, although there was an improvement in abdominal muscle strength in girls, agility in boys and balance in both genders during the same period. At large, negative trends in aspects of fitness seen between 1992 and 2002 have not slowed down between 2002 and 2012. Positive trends in agility and abdominal muscle strength seen before 2002 have regressed or were reversed between 2002 and 2012, while balance continued to improve at increased pace. While the BMI continued to increase in all groups, analysis of covariance has shown that it was not the main cause of changes in fitness.

Conclusions

The general decline in physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren observed between 1992 and 2002 continued between 2002 and 2012, although some aspects of fitness showed a positive trend. If this general negative trend continues, it will compromise the well-being of future adults and create a serious economic burden on the society.
Effects of 12 Weeks of Atorvastatin Therapy on Myocardial Fibrosis and Circulating Fibrosis Biomarkers in Statin-NaïVe Patients with Hypertension with Atherosclerosis
Authors: Chang Yi-Yao , Wu Yen-Wen , Lee Jen-Kuang , Lin Yu-Min , Lin Yen-Ting , Kao Hsian-Li , Hung Chi-Sheng , Lin Hung-Ju , Lin Yen-Hung
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 12 weeks of atorvastatin treatment on myocardial fibrosis in patients with hypertension with atherosclerosis. 15 statin-naïve participants (11 males; mean age 67±10 years) with atherosclerosis were given atorvastatin (40 mg/day) for 12 weeks and underwent echocardiography including ultrasonic tissue characterization by cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (CVIBS). Serum galectin-3 and fibrosis markers including aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), matrix metalloproteinase-2, metalloproteinase-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were also analyzed. After 12 weeks of atorvastatin (40 mg/day) treatment, serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly (204±31 to 140±24 mg/dL and 133±26 to 69±17 ng/mL, respectively, both p<0.001). In myocardial fibrosis analysis, CVIBS increased significantly (6.6±1.9 to 8.5±2.7 dB, p=0.024). In addition, the circulating fibrosis markers serum PIIINP and TIMP-1 decreased significantly (9.5±2.7 to 6.4±1.4 ng/mL, p=0.012 and 299±65 to 250±45 ng/mL, p=0.024, respectively). 12 weeks of medium dose atorvastatin treatment resulted in a significant reduction in myocardial fibrosis as evaluated by morphofunctional parameters and plasma markers of tissue fibrosis.

Trial registration number

NTC00172419; results.
Proteomics in Stroke Research: Potentials of the Nascent Proteomics
Authors: Zhou An
Published: July 2016

Among omics, the proteomics assumes a unique role in that it offers the effectors or actuators of a biological condition. This brief review attempts to summarize the development in a relatively new but important subdiscipline of proteomics, the so-called nascent proteomics, and its potential applications in stroke research. First, we will discuss a few examples of proteomics-led discoveries in stroke research, and challenges or unmet demands when using commonly practiced proteomics approaches. Then we will introduce nascent proteomics and its studying tools, followed by discussions on its potentials in stroke research.
A single session of exhaustive exercise markedly decreases circulating levels of guanidinoacetic acid in healthy men and women
Authors: Stajer Valdemar , Trivic Tatjana , Drid Patrik , Vranes Milan , Ostojic Sergej M.
Published: July 2016

We evaluated the effects of exercise on circulating concentrations of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and creatine in 23 healthy volunteers subjected to running to exhaustion and free-weight bench-press to volitional failure. Blood was taken before and following each exercise session. Running induced a significant decrease in serum GAA by 20.1% (P < 0.001), while free-weight exercise reduced GAA by 11.7% (P < 0.001), suggesting the possible use of serum GAA as a novel biomarker of exhaustion.
Climate, location, and growth relationships with wood stiffness at the site, tree, and ring levels in white spruce (Picea glauca) in the Boreal Plains ecozone
Authors: Sattler Derek F. , Stewart James D.
Published: July 2016

We examined modulus of elasticity (MoE) derived from SilviScan in white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) at the site, tree, and ring levels across the Boreal Plains ecozone in Canada. Area-weighted averages of MoE were calculated for juvenile and mature wood and were examined in relation to radial growth, climate, and location. Correlations indicated that there was a negative relationship between radial growth and MoE in the juvenile wood that was detectable at the site and tree levels; however, the relationship weakened in the mature wood, particularly at the site level. Few climate variables were correlated with MoE in juvenile wood, whereas multiple summer and fall climate variables showed a significant correlation with MOE in mature wood. A model describing the radial profile of MoE explained 58% of the variability in MoE, with 10% of the random variability attributed to between-tree differences. Elevation and summer water balance accounted for nearly all of the between-site variability. A decrease in MoE with increasing elevation was noted and has been previously linked to a decrease in cell wall thickness due to a shorter growing season at higher elevations. Integration of the MoE profile model into an individual-tree growth and yield simulator is the next logical step.
Carbon isotope discrimination by Picea glauca and Populus tremuloides is related to the topographic depth to water index and rainfall
Authors: Oltean Gabriel S. , Comeau Philip G. , White Barry
Published: July 2016

Carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) has been used as an indicator of water stress because plants discriminate less against 13C when under stress. The depth-to-water (DTW) topographic index provides an estimation of soil moisture based on topographic position and other characteristics of a site. To evaluate whether DTW and carbon isotope discrimination were related and to determine if these relationships are influenced by climate, we sampled three time periods, which differed in the amount of annual precipitation (MAP), from tree cores collected from 42 trembling aspen and 43 white spruce trees growing along DTW gradients at two locations in central Alberta, Canada. Increasing MAP led to lower δ13C, indicating less drought stress as water availability increases, while δ13C increased with DTW up to a threshold value, after which the relationship levelled off, suggesting that higher DTW values represent stress-inducing soil conditions. DTW and MAP were then combined into models (aspen, R2 = 0.72; spruce, R2 = 0.44) that could be used to delineate drought-prone areas during periods of low MAP. Tree height and diameter were also related to DTW, suggesting a functional relationship between an index capturing soil properties and tree size. Our results demonstrate the potential to use the DTW index as a measure of site conditions and to predict stand-level responses.
Assisted lodgepole pine regeneration on reclamation sites using logging slash as both a mulch and natural seed source
Authors: Cirelli Damián , Vinge Tim , Lieffers Victor J.
Published: July 2016

In this study, we tested the efficacy of establishing lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) from seed using woody mulch produced from slashed tree tops from a pine harvesting site; this mulch contained the closed serotinous cones of the lodgepole pine. Mulch was spread on prepared reclamation sites at depths of 0, 1, 3, and 5 cm. Broadcast seeding of pine was also done at mulch depths of 0 and 1 cm. Mulch cover that was 1 cm thick was the preferred treatment, as it produced 17 000 seedlings·ha−1by the third year after treatment while being similar in seedling density to the 3 and 5 cm treatments. When 50 000 seeds·ha−1were added, seedling density went up more on the sites with 1 cm of mulch than the sites with no mulch. Soil temperature was lower and temperature extremes were reduced under the mulch layer compared with the control plot. The plots with 1 cm of mulch also had higher soil moisture in the mineral layer than the plots with 0 cm of mulch. A thin layer of woody mulch, therefore, provided a source of pine seed and the covering of the ground provided a more benign environment for the establishment of pine germinants.
The Effect of Tai Chi on Reducing the Risk of Falling: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: del-Pino-Casado Rafael , Obrero-Gaitán Esteban , Lomas-Vega Rafael
Published: July 2016

Tai Chi has frequently been used as a preventive measure against falling in at-risk populations. However, studies have yielded contradictory results, and literature reviews have considered only a small number of trials and have not addressed some key aspects, such as sources of heterogeneity and publication bias. This study includes 13 controlled trials published before June 2015 that analyzed the effectiveness of Tai Chi in fall prevention in populations of frail and at-risk adults. The effect measure used in this meta-analysis was absolute risk reduction (ARR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). According to our findings, practice of Tai Chi significantly prevents the risk of falling (ARR, [Formula: see text]; 95% CI: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). The heterogeneity of results across the trials was low, with a reduced risk of publication bias, and no significant effect differences were observed between studies comparing Tai Chi with other interventions or non-treatment. We therefore conclude that Tai Chi is more effective than other measures, or no intervention, for fall prevention in at-risk populations. Further research is warranted to analyze the consequences of falls and to study the episodes rather than the cases of falls.
Neuroprotective Effect ofCoptis chinensisin MPP+ and MPTP-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Models
Authors: Friedemann Thomas , Ying Yue , Wang Weigang , Kramer Edgar R. , Schumacher Udo , Fei Jian , Schröder Sven
Published: July 2016

The rhizome of Coptis chinensis is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine alone or in combination with other herbs to treat diseases characterized by causing oxidative stress including inflammatory diseases, diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, there is emerging evidence that Coptis chinensis is effective in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Coptis chinensis in vitro and in vivo using MPP[Formula: see text] and MPTP models of Parkinson’s disease. MPP[Formula: see text] treated human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were used as a cell model of Parkinson’s disease. A 24[Formula: see text]h pre-treatment of the cells with the watery extract of Coptis chinensis significantly increased cell viability, as well as the intracellular ATP concentration and attenuated apoptosis compared to the MPP[Formula: see text] control. Further experiments with the main alkaloids of Coptidis chinensis, berberine, coptisine, jaterorrhizine and palmatine revealed that berberine and coptisine were the main active compounds responsible for the observed neuroprotective effect. However, the full extract of Coptis chinensis was more effective than the tested single alkaloids. In the MPTP-induced animal model of Parkinson’s disease, Coptis chinensis dose-dependently improved motor functions and increased tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the substantia nigra compared to the MPTP control. Based on the results of this work, Coptis chinensis and its main alkaloids could be considered potential candidates for the development of new treatment options for Parkinson’s disease.
Effects of American Ginseng on Preimplantation Development and Pregnancy in Mice
Authors: Belanger Danyka , Calder Michele D. , Gianetto-Berruti Alessandra , Lui Edmund M. , Watson Andrew J. , Feyles Valter
Published: July 2016

In North America, a high proportion of pregnant women use herbal medications including North American ginseng. This medicinal plant contains high amounts of triterpene saponins (ginsenosides), which are the main bioactive compounds. It is important to assess ginseng’s impact on all reproductive functions to ensure the safety of pregnant women and fetuses. In this study, we defined the concentration-responsive effects of North American alcoholic and aqueous ginseng extracts on preimplantation development in vitro and on pregnancy and post-partum development in the mouse. Two-cell mouse embryos were cultured with 5 different concentrations of whole ginseng root extracts, or ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1 and Re alone, a combinatorial ginsenoside solution and a crude polysaccharide fraction solution. Embryonic development and recovery from each treatment was assessed. To investigate the in vivo effects of ginseng extracts, female mice were gavaged with 50[Formula: see text]mg/kg/day, 500[Formula: see text]mg/kg/day or 2000[Formula: see text]mg/kg/day of either extract (treatment) or water (sham) for 2 weeks prior to mating and throughout gestation. Gestation period, litter size, pup growth and pup sex ratio were evaluated. Oral ginseng consumption did not significantly affect fertility or pregnancy in the mouse. High doses of ginseng (2000[Formula: see text]mg/kg/day) decreased maternal weight gain. Direct treatment of preimplantation embryos in vitro demonstrated that ALC and AQ extract treatment reduced development in a concentration responsive manner, while only ALC extract effects were largely reversible. Treatments with individual or combinatorial ginsenosides, or the polysaccharide fraction solution alone did not impair preimplantation development, in vitro. In conclusion, maternal oral consumption of ginseng has little negative impact on pregnancy in the mouse, however, direct exposure to ginseng extract during mouse preimplantation development in vitro is detrimental.
Immune Enhancing Activity of β-(1,3)-Glucan Isolated from Genus Agrobacterium in Bone-Marrow Derived Macrophages and Mice Splenocytes
Authors: Byun Eui-Baek , Jang Beom-Su , Byun Eui-Hong , Sung Nak-Yun
Published: July 2016

An effective method for activating macrophages and deriving a Th1 immune response could be used to improve the defenses of hosts. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulation effect and the related signaling mechanism of [Formula: see text]-(1,3)-glucan, isolated from the Agrobacterium species. Here, we found that [Formula: see text]-(1,3)-glucan predominantly induced the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[Formula: see text], interleukin (IL)-1[Formula: see text], IL-6, IL-12p70, and nitric oxide, which was dependent on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-[Formula: see text]B signaling. Additionally, [Formula: see text]-(1,3)-glucan treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86, and also significantly increased the expression of iNOS and Dectin-1, which is a transmembrane protein that binds [Formula: see text]-glucan and associates with macrophage activation. Importantly, the splenic T cells co-cultured with [Formula: see text]-(1,3)-glucan-treated macrophages produced the a Th1 cytokine profile that includes high levels of IFN-[Formula: see text], but not IL-4 (Th2 cytokine), indicating that [Formula: see text]-(1,3)-glucan contributes to Th1 polarization of the immune response. Taken together, our results suggest that [Formula: see text]-(1,3)-glucan isolated from Agrobacterium species can induce macrophage activation through the MAPK and NF-[Formula: see text]B signaling pathway, as well as Th1 polarization.
Pinellia ternata Attenuates Mucus Secretion and Airway Inflammation after Inhaled Corticosteroid Withdrawal in COPD Rats
Authors: Du Wei , Su Jinyu , Ye Dan , Wang Yuegang , Huang Qiaobing , Gong Xiaowei
Published: July 2016

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are widely used to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, withdrawal of ICS generally causes various adverse effects, warranting careful management of the ICS withdrawal. Pinellia ternata, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been used to treat respiratory diseases in China for centuries. Here, we investigated its role in antagonizing ICS withdrawal-induced side effects, and explored the underlying mechanisms. The rat COPD model was established using a combination of passive cigarette smoking and intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). COPD rats were treated with saline or budesonide inhalation, or with budesonide inhalation followed by saline inhalation or Pinellia ternata gavage. The number of goblet cells and the level of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) were enhanced by budesonide withdrawal. Pinellia ternata treatment significantly blocked these effects. Further, Pinellia ternata treatment reversed budesonide withdrawal-induced increase of interleukin 1[Formula: see text] (IL-1[Formula: see text] and tumor necrosis factor [Formula: see text] (TNF-[Formula: see text]) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but neither p38 nor c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), was activated by budesonide withdrawal, and the activation was blocked by Pinellia ternata treatment. The MUC5AC expression was positively correlated with goblet cell number, IL-1[Formula: see text] and TNF-[Formula: see text] levels, and ERK activity. Pinellia ternata treatment protected the airway from ICS withdrawal-induced mucus hypersecretion and airway inflammation by inhibiting ERK activation. Pinellia ternata treatment may represent a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent ICS withdrawal-induced side effects in COPD patients.
Forsythiae Fructus Inhibits B16 Melanoma Growth Involving MAPKs/Nrf2/HO-1 Mediated Anti-Oxidation and Anti-Inflammation
Authors: Bao Jiaolin , Ding Renbo , Zou Lidi , Zhang Chao , Wang Kai , Liu Fang , Li Peng , Chen Meiwan , Wan Jian-Bo , Su Huanxing , Wang Yitao , He Chengwei
Published: July 2016

Forsythiae Fructus, the fruits of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl, Lianqiao in Chinese, is one of the most fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is a typical heat-clearing and detoxicating herb, according to TCM theory. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effect of Forsythiae Fructus aqueous extract (FAE) on B16-F10 melanoma cells in vivo. The transplanted B16-F10 melanoma in C57BL/6 mice was established and used for the evaluation of the in vivo antitumor effect of FAE. FAE strongly inhibited the growth of B16-F10 cells in vitro and the tumor in vivo. The survival time of tumor-bearing mice was significantly prolonged by FAE. FAE inhibited cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis in the tumor, as indicated by the decreased expressions of Ki67 and CD31. The levels of ROS, MDA, TNF-[Formula: see text] and IL-6 decreased, while GSH increased in the FAE treatment group, indicating FAE possesses strong anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. The expression of anti-oxidant proteins Nrf-2 and HO-1, tumor suppressors P53 and p-PTEN, and the MAPK pathways in tumor tissues were upregulated by FAE treatment. These data demonstrated that FAE exhibited strong antitumor activity against B16-F10 murine melanoma both in vitro and in vivo. The antitumor effect of FAE involved decreases in oxidative stress and inflammation in the tumor, which is closely related to the heat-clearing and detoxicating properties of FAE.
A revisit of the quark mass spectra and flavor mixing based on the S3 flavor symmetry
Authors: Xu Ji , Yang Xinghua , Yang Deshan
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we propose a simple model based on the S3 flavor symmetry, in which a perturbation ansatz is suggested that the flavor symmetry is explicitly broken down via S3 [Formula: see text]Z2 [Formula: see text] in the up-quark sector and via S3 [Formula: see text]Z3 [Formula: see text] in the down-quark sector. Our model is successful in obtaining the strong hierarchy of mass matrices of both up-type quarks and down-type quarks, but unsuccessful in obtaining the realistic mixing between the third generation and the first two, as in other models based on S3 flavor symmetry proposed in the literature. Through detailed analysis, we find the reason for the unsuccesses in our model which is related to the reducibility of the three-dimensional representation of the S3 group. We conclude that any perturbations in mass matrices preserving the partial symmetry of S3 cannot help getting realistic mixing between the third generation and first two without fine-tuning.
Singular inflation from Born–Infeld-f(R) gravity
Authors: Elizalde Emilio , Makarenko Andrey N.
Published: July 2016

Accelerating dynamics from Born–Infeld-f(R) gravity are studied in a simplified conformal approach without matter. Explicit unification of inflation with late-time acceleration is realized within this singular inflation approach, which is similar to Odintsov–Oikonomou singular f(R) inflation. Our model turns out to be consistent with the latest release of Planck data.
Modified Operand Decomposition Multiplication for High Performance Parallel Multipliers
Authors: Abid Z. , El-Dib Dalia A. , Mudassir Rizwan
Published: July 2016

A low power operand decomposition multiplication architecture implementation is modified to further reduce its power dissipation and delay. First, the multiplier’s implementation was modified to generate the partial products using NAND gates instead of AND and OR gates in order to reduce the number of transistors (area utilized) and to reduce the delay. Then, new types of adders and (4:2) compressors, that accept negatively weighted bits are used to reduce the number of inverters. Therefore, the resulting multiplier architecture reduces the number of transistors significantly. These modifications result in 20% and 36% reduction in power consumption and energy delay product (EDP), respectively.
Tied links
Authors: Aicardi Francesca , Juyumaya Jesús
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we introduce the tied links, i.e. ordinary links provided with some “ties” between strands. The motivation for introducing such objects originates from a diagrammatical interpretation of the defining generators of the so-called algebra of braids and ties; indeed, one half of such generators can be interpreted as the usual generators of the braid algebra, and the other half can be interpreted as ties between consecutive strands; this interpretation leads to the definition of tied braids. We define an invariant polynomial for the tied links via a skein relation. Furthermore, we introduce the monoid of tied braids and we prove the corresponding theorems of Alexander and Markov for tied links. Finally, we prove that the invariant of tied links we defined can be obtained also by using the Jones recipe.
First stars, hypernovae, and superluminous supernovae
Authors: Nomoto Ken’ichi
Published: July 2016

After the big bang, production of heavy elements in the early universe takes place starting from the formation of the first (Pop III) stars, their evolution, and explosion. The Pop III supernova (SN) explosions have strong dynamical, thermal, and chemical feedback on the formation of subsequent stars and evolution of galaxies. However, the nature of Pop III stars/supernovae (SNe) have not been well-understood. The signature of nucleosynthesis yields of the first SN can be seen in the elemental abundance patterns observed in extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars. We show that the abundance patterns of EMP stars, e.g. the excess of C, Co, Zn relative to Fe, are in better agreement with the yields of hyper-energetic explosions (Hypernovae, (HNe)) rather than normal supernovae. We note the large variation of the abundance patterns of EMP stars propose that such a variation is related to the diversity of the GRB-SNe and posssibly superluminous supernovae (SLSNe). For example, the carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars may be related to the faint SNe (or dark HNe), which could be the explosions induced by relativistic jets. Finally, we examine the various mechanisms of SLSNe.
Absorption of massless scalar field by rotating black holes
Authors: Leite Luiz C. S. , Crispino Luís C. B. , de Oliveira Ednilton S. , Macedo Caio F. B. , Dolan Sam R.
Published: July 2016

We compute the absorption cross-section of the Kerr black holes (BH) for the massless scalar field, and present a selection of numerical results, to complement the results of Ref.[C. F. B. Macedo, L. C. S. Leite, E. S. Oliveria, S. R. Dolan and L. C. B. Crispino, Phys. Rev. D 88 (2013) 064033.] We show that, in the high-frequency regime, the cross-section approaches the geodesic capture cross-section. We split the absorption cross-section into corotating and counterrotating contributions, and we show that the counterrotating contribution exceeds the corotating one.
Frontiers on Research of Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Review of the Keynotes of “The 2015 International Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship”
Authors: Hisrich Robert D. , Ge Baoshan , Gao Hang , Sheng Fan
Published: July 2016

“The 2015 International Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship” was successfully held on 12th and 13th of December 2015 by Jilin University. The attendees’ views of the conference follow: First, the innovation and entrepreneurship of China is now attracting the attention of scholars all over the world, yet the research has seldom been published in the world’s top journal. Chinese scholars need to discuss the theory more deeply and develop general conclusions, to build and establish a common theoretical language, which matches with that of the world. Second, at present, the research on innovation and entrepreneurship in China is still based on the western management theory, lacking the integration of Chinese traditional theory and culture. Chinese scholars need to build an eastern management theory which portrays the Chinese situation. Third, the research on innovation and entrepreneurship is gradually changing into qualitative research and case studies and the rich and objective secondary data has been playing more of an important role in each study, Chinese scholars should pay more attention to this previous research. The success of this conference contributes to the development of the Chinese research field and theory of innovation and entrepreneurship.
A Declarative Framework for Linking Entities
Authors: Burdick Douglas , Fagin Ronald , Kolaitis Phokion G. , Popa Lucian , Tan Wang-Chiew
Published: July 2016

We introduce and develop a declarative framework for entity linking and, in particular, for entity resolution. As in some earlier approaches, our framework is based on a systematic use of constraints. However, the constraints we adopt are link-to-source constraints, unlike in earlier approaches where source-to-link constraints were used to dictate how to generate links. Our approach makes it possible to focus entirely on the intended properties of the outcome of entity linking, thus separating the constraints from any procedure of how to achieve that outcome. The core language consists of link-to-source constraints that specify the desired properties of a link relation in terms of source relations and built-in predicates such as similarity measures. A key feature of the link-to-source constraints is that they employ disjunction, which enables the declarative listing of all the reasons two entities should be linked. We also consider extensions of the core language that capture collective entity resolution by allowing interdependencies among the link relations.

We identify a class of “good” solutions for entity-linking specifications, which we call
maximum-value solutions
and which capture the strength of a link by counting the reasons that justify it. We study natural algorithmic problems associated with these solutions, including the problem of enumerating the “good” solutions and the problem of finding the certain links, which are the links that appear in every “good” solution. We show that these problems are tractable for the core language but may become intractable once we allow interdependencies among the link relations. We also make some surprising connections between our declarative framework, which is deterministic, and probabilistic approaches such as ones based on Markov Logic Networks.
B-Trees and Cache-Oblivious B-Trees with Different-Sized Atomic Keys
Authors: Bender Michael A. , Ebrahimi Roozbeh , Hu Haodong , Kuszmaul Bradley C.
Published: July 2016

Most B-tree articles assume that all
N
keys have the same size
K
, that
f
=
B
/
K
keys fit in a disk block, and therefore that the search cost is
O
(log

f
+ 1

N
) block transfers. When keys have variable size, B-tree operations have no nontrivial performance guarantees, however.

This article provides B-tree-like performance guarantees on dictionaries that contain keys of different sizes in a model in which keys must be stored and compared as opaque objects. The resulting
atomic-key dictionaries
exhibit performance bounds in terms of the average key size and match the bounds when all keys are the same size. Atomic-key dictionaries can be built with minimal modification to the B-tree structure, simply by choosing the pivot keys properly.

This article describes both static and dynamic atomic-key dictionaries. In the static case, if there are
N
keys with average size
K
, the search cost is
O
(⌈
K
/
B
⌉log

1 + ⌈
B
/
K
⌉

N
) expected transfers. It is not possible to transform these expected bounds into worst-case bounds. The cost to build the tree is
O
(
NK
) operations and
O
(
NK/B
) transfers if all keys are presented in sorted order. If not, the cost is the sorting cost.

For the dynamic dictionaries, the amortized cost to insert a key κ of arbitrary length at an arbitrary rank is dominated by the cost to search for κ. Specifically, the amortized cost to insert a key κ of arbitrary length and random rank is
O
(⌈
K
/
B
⌉log

1 + ⌈
B
/
K
⌉

N
+ |κ|/
B
) transfers. A dynamic-programming algorithm is shown for constructing a search tree with minimal expected cost.

This article also gives a cache-oblivious static atomic-key B-tree, which achieves the same asymptotic performance as the static B-tree dictionary, mentioned previously. A cache-oblivious data structure or algorithm is not parameterized by the block size
B
or memory size
M
in the memory hierarchy; rather, it is universal, working simultaneously for all possible values of
B
or
M
. On a machine with block size
B
, if there are
N
keys with average size
K
, search operations costs
O
(⌈
K
/
B
⌉log

1 + ⌈
B
/
K
⌉

N
) block transfers in expectation. This cache-oblivious layout can be built in
O
(
N
log(
NK
)) processor operations.
Scalable Atomic Visibility with RAMP Transactions
Authors: Bailis Peter , Fekete Alan , Ghodsi Ali , Hellerstein Joseph M. , Stoica Ion
Published: July 2016

Databases can provide scalability by partitioning data across several servers. However, multipartition, multioperation transactional access is often expensive, employing coordination-intensive locking, validation, or scheduling mechanisms. Accordingly, many real-world systems avoid mechanisms that provide useful semantics for multipartition operations. This leads to incorrect behavior for a large class of applications including secondary indexing, foreign key enforcement, and materialized view maintenance. In this work, we identify a new isolation model—Read Atomic (RA) isolation—that matches the requirements of these use cases by ensuring
atomic visibility
: either all or none of each transaction’s updates are observed by other transactions. We present algorithms for Read Atomic Multipartition (RAMP) transactions that enforce atomic visibility while offering excellent scalability, guaranteed commit despite partial failures (via
coordination-free execution
), and minimized communication between servers (via
partition independence
). These RAMP transactions correctly mediate atomic visibility of updates and provide readers with snapshot access to database state by using limited multiversioning and by allowing clients to independently resolve nonatomic reads. We demonstrate that, in contrast with existing algorithms, RAMP transactions incur limited overhead—even under high contention—and scale linearly to 100 servers.
The Effect of Program and Model Structure on the Effectiveness of MC/DC Test Adequacy Coverage
Authors: Gay Gregory , Rajan Ajitha , Staats Matt , Whalen Michael , Heimdahl Mats P. E.
Published: July 2016

Test adequacy metrics defined over the structure of a program, such as Modified Condition and Decision Coverage (MC/DC), are used to assess testing efforts. However, MC/DC can be “cheated” by restructuring a program to make it easier to achieve the desired coverage. This is concerning, given the importance of MC/DC in assessing the adequacy of test suites for critical systems domains. In this work, we have explored the impact of implementation structure on the efficacy of test suites satisfying the MC/DC criterion using four real-world avionics systems.

Our results demonstrate that test suites achieving MC/DC over implementations with structurally complex Boolean expressions are generally larger and more effective than test suites achieving MC/DC over functionally equivalent, but structurally simpler, implementations. Additionally, we found that test suites generated over simpler implementations achieve significantly lower MC/DC and fault-finding effectiveness when applied to complex implementations, whereas test suites generated over the complex implementation still achieve high MC/DC and attain high fault finding over the simpler implementation. By measuring MC/DC over simple implementations, we can significantly reduce the cost of testing, but in doing so, we also reduce the effectiveness of the testing process. Thus, developers have an economic incentive to “cheat” the MC/DC criterion, but this cheating leads to negative consequences. Accordingly, we recommend that organizations require MC/DC over a structurally complex implementation for testing purposes to avoid these consequences.
How to Train Your Browser
Authors: Mitropoulos Dimitris , Stroggylos Konstantinos , Spinellis Diomidis , Keromytis Angelos D.
Published: July 2016

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is one of the most common web application vulnerabilities. It is therefore sometimes referred to as the “buffer overflow of the web.” Drawing a parallel from the current state of practice in preventing unauthorized native code execution (the typical goal in a code injection), we propose a script whitelisting approach to tame JavaScript-driven XSS attacks. Our scheme involves a transparent script interception layer placed in the browser’s JavaScript engine. This layer is designed to detect every script that reaches the browser, from every possible route, and compare it to a list of valid scripts for the site or page being accessed; scripts not on the list are prevented from executing. To avoid the false positives caused by minor syntactic changes (e.g., due to dynamic code generation), our layer uses the concept of contextual fingerprints when comparing scripts.

Contextual fingerprints are identifiers that represent specific elements of a script and its execution context. Fingerprints can be easily enriched with new elements, if needed, to enhance the proposed method’s robustness. The list can be populated by the website’s administrators or a trusted third party. To verify our approach, we have developed a prototype and tested it successfully against an extensive array of attacks that were performed on more than 50 real-world vulnerable web applications. We measured the browsing performance overhead of the proposed solution on eight websites that make heavy use of JavaScript. Our mechanism imposed an average overhead of 11.1% on the execution time of the JavaScript engine. When measured as part of a full browsing session, and for all tested websites, the overhead introduced by our layer was less than 0.05%. When script elements are altered or new scripts are added on the server side, a new fingerprint generation phase is required. To examine the temporal aspect of contextual fingerprints, we performed a short-term and a long-term experiment based on the same websites. The former, showed that in a short period of time (10 days), for seven of eight websites, the majority of valid fingerprints stay the same (more than 92% on average). The latter, though, indicated that, in the long run, the number of fingerprints that do not change is reduced. Both experiments can be seen as one of the first attempts to study the feasibility of a whitelisting approach for the web.
FrankenFolk
Authors: Ondřej Jan , Ennis Cathy , Merriman Niamh A. , O’sullivan Carol
Published: July 2016

It is common practice in movies and games to use different actors for the voice and body/face motion of a virtual character. What effect does the combination of these different modalities have on the perception of the viewer? In this article, we conduct a series of experiments to evaluate the distinctiveness and attractiveness of human motions (face and body) and voices. We also create combination characters called FrankenFolks, where we mix and match the voice, body motion, face motion, and avatar of different actors and ask which modality is most dominant when determining distinctiveness and attractiveness or whether the effects are cumulative.
Nutrient Regulation: Conjugated Linoleic Acid's Inflammatory and Browning Properties in Adipose Tissue
Authors: Shen Wan , McIntosh Michael K.
Published: July 2016

Obesity is the most widespread nutritional disease in the United States. Developing effective and safe strategies to manage excess body weight is therefore of paramount importance. One potential strategy to reduce obesity is to consume conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements containing isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12, or trans-10, cis-12 alone. Proposed antiobesity mechanisms of CLA include regulation of (a) adipogenesis, (b) lipid metabolism, (c) inflammation, (d) adipocyte apoptosis, (e) browning or beiging of adipose tissue, and (f) energy metabolism. However, causality of CLA-mediated responses to body fat loss, particularly the linkage between inflammation, thermogenesis, and energy metabolism, is unclear. This review examines whether CLA's antiobesity properties are due to inflammatory signaling and considers CLA's linkage with lipogenesis, lipolysis, thermogenesis, and browning of white and brown adipose tissue. We propose a series of questions and studies to interrogate the role of the sympathetic nervous system in mediating CLA's antiobesity properties.
Homocysteine, B Vitamins, and Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Smith A. David , Refsum Helga
Published: July 2016

Moderately elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is a strong modifiable risk factor for vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Prospectively, elevated tHcy is associated with cognitive decline, white matter damage, brain atrophy, neurofibrillary tangles, and dementia. Most homocysteine-lowering trials with folate and vitamins B6 and/or B12 tested as protective agents against cognitive decline were poorly designed by including subjects unlikely to benefit during the trial period. In contrast, trials in high-risk subjects, which have taken into account the baseline B vitamin status, show a slowing of cognitive decline and of atrophy in critical brain regions, results that are consistent with modification of the Alzheimer's disease process. Homocysteine may interact with both risk factors and protective factors, thereby identifying people at risk but also providing potential strategies for early intervention. Public health steps to slow cognitive decline should be promoted in individuals who are at risk of dementia, and more trials are needed to see if simple interventions with nutrients can prevent progression to dementia.
Nutrient-Gene Interaction in Colon Cancer, from the Membrane to Cellular Physiology
Authors: Hou Tim Y. , Davidson Laurie A. , Kim Eunjoo , Fan Yang-Yi , Fuentes Natividad R. , Triff Karen , Chapkin Robert S.
Published: July 2016

The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently released an assessment classifying red and processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans” on the basis of the positive association between increased consumption and risk for colorectal cancer. Diet, however, can also decrease the risk for colorectal cancer and be used as a chemopreventive strategy. Bioactive dietary molecules, such as n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, curcumin, and fermentable fiber, have been proposed to exert chemoprotective effects, and their molecular mechanisms have been the focus of research in the dietary/chemoprevention field. Using these bioactives as examples, this review surveys the proposed mechanisms by which they exert their effects, from the nucleus to the cellular membrane. In addition, we discuss emerging technologies involving the culturing of colonic organoids to study the physiological effects of dietary bioactives. Finally, we address future challenges to the field regarding the identification of additional molecular mechanisms and other bioactive dietary molecules that can be utilized in our fight to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer.
The Macronutrients, Appetite, and Energy Intake
Authors: Carreiro Alicia L. , Dhillon Jaapna , Gordon Susannah , Higgins Kelly A. , Jacobs Ashley G. , McArthur Breanna M. , Redan Benjamin W. , Rivera Rebecca L. , Schmidt Leigh R. , Mattes Richard D.
Published: July 2016

Each of the macronutrients—carbohydrate, protein, and fat—has a unique set of properties that influences health, but all are a source of energy. The optimal balance of their contribution to the diet has been a long-standing matter of debate. Over the past half century, thinking has progressed regarding the mechanisms by which each macronutrient may contribute to energy balance. At the beginning of this period, metabolic signals that initiated eating events (i.e., determined eating frequency) were emphasized. This was followed by an orientation to gut endocrine signals that purportedly modulate the size of eating events (i.e., determined portion size). Most recently, research attention has been directed to the brain, where the reward signals elicited by the macronutrients are viewed as potentially problematic (e.g., contribute to disordered eating). At this point, the predictive power of the macronutrients for energy intake remains limited.