bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacotherapy to protect the neuromuscular junction after acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning
Authors: Bird Steven B. , Krajacic Predrag , Sawamoto Keigo , Bunya Naofumi , Loro Emanuele , Khurana Tejvir S.
Published: June 2016

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticide poisoning is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world, affecting an estimated three million people annually. Much of the morbidity is directly related to muscle weakness, which develops 1–4 days after poisoning. This muscle weakness, termed the intermediate syndrome (IMS), leads to respiratory, bulbar, and proximal limb weakness and frequently necessitates the use of mechanical ventilation. While not entirely understood, the IMS is most likely due to persistently elevated acetylcholine (ACh), which activates nicotinic ACh receptors at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Thus, the NMJ is potentially a target‐rich area for the development of new therapies for acute OP poisoning. In this manuscript, we discuss what is known about the IMS and studies investigating the use of nicotinic ACh receptor antagonists to prevent or mitigate NMJ dysfunction after acute OP poisoning.
A qualitative systematic review of service user and service provider perspectives on the acceptability, relative benefits, and potential harms of art therapy for people with non‐psychotic mental health disorders
Authors: Scope Alison , Uttley Lesley , Sutton Anthea
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This systematic review aimed to synthesize qualitative evidence relating to user and service provider perspective on the acceptability and relative benefits and potential harms of art therapy for people with non‐psychotic mental disorders.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 13 major bibliographic databases from May to July 2013. A qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted using thematic framework synthesis.

Results

The searches identified 10,270 citations from which 12 studies were included. Ten studies included data from 183 service users, and two studies included data from 16 service providers. The evidence demonstrated that art therapy was an acceptable treatment. The benefits associated with art therapy included the following: the development of relationships with the therapist and other group members; understanding the self/own illness/the future; gaining perspective; distraction; personal achievement; expression; relaxation; and empowerment. Small numbers of patients reported varying reasons for not wanting to take part, and some highlighted potentially negative effects of art therapy which included the evoking of feelings which could not be resolved.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that for the majority of respondents art therapy was an acceptable intervention, although this was not the case for all respondents. Therefore, attention should be focussed on both identifying those who are most likely to benefit from art therapy and ensuring any potential harms are minimized. The findings provide evidence to commissioners and providers of mental health services about the value of future art therapy services.

Practitioner points

Art therapy was reported to be an acceptable treatment for the majority of respondents.

Art therapy may not be a preferred treatment option for a small number of patients, emphasizing the importance of considering patient preference in choice of treatment, and selection of the most suitable patients for art therapy.

Consideration should be made of adjustments to make art therapy inclusive, particularly for those with physical illnesses.

Ensuring the competence of the deliverer, providing patients with additional support, such as other therapies if required, and ensuring continuity of care should be key considerations in service provision.
Perceived versus real toxicological safety of pangasius catfish: a review modifying market perspectives
Authors: Murk Albertinka J. , Rietjens Ivonne M.C.M. , Bush Simon R.
Published: June 2016

Mass media reports suggest that pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is ‘full of poison’ because it is able to survive in the ‘heavily polluted Mekong River’ and contains pesticides and veterinary treatment chemicals. However, most of these claims are not substantiated with scientific evidence. To assess the safety of pangasius consumption, a full toxicological risk assessment was performed. The results obtained were compared to toxicity claims made in a selection of media reports. Information on contaminant levels encountered in pangasius was collected from the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) database. The toxicological risk assessments do not support any of the toxicological risks suggested in the media. Next, the maximum pangasius consumption that would be considered safe was estimated on the basis of the highest levels of the toxic contaminants reported in Vietnamese pangasius by RASFF and the safety thresholds for the contaminants. The maximum amount of the recalled fillet that could have been consumed without any adverse effects amounted to between 3.4 and 166.7 kg day−1 (lifelong for a 70 kg adult) in the case of pesticide contamination and between 0.613 and 303 kg fillet day−1 in the case of preservatives and antibiotics. It is concluded that consumption of pangasius available on the European market does not pose any concern for the health of the consumer. The analysis presented in this study illustrates that publicly available independent information could help consumers to develop their own well‐informed opinion about food safety issues.
Protection of the photosynthetic apparatus against dehydration stress in the resurrection plant Craterostigma pumilum
Authors: Zia Ahmad , Walker Berkley J. , Oung Hui Min Olivia , Charuvi Dana , Jahns Peter , Cousins Asaph B. , Farrant Jill M. , Reich Ziv , Kirchhoff Helmut
Published: June 2016

The group of homoiochlorophyllous resurrection plants evolved the unique capability to survive severe drought stress without dismantling the photosynthetic machinery. This implies that they developed efficient strategies to protect the leaves from reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by photosynthetic side reactions. These strategies, however, are poorly understood. Here, we performed a detailed study of the photosynthetic machinery in the homoiochlorophyllous resurrection plant Craterostigma pumilum during dehydration and upon recovery from desiccation. During dehydration and rehydration, C. pumilum deactivates and activates partial components of the photosynthetic machinery in a specific order, allowing for coordinated shutdown and subsequent reinstatement of photosynthesis. Early responses to dehydration are the closure of stomata and activation of electron transfer to oxygen accompanied by inactivation of the cytochrome b6f complex leading to attenuation of the photosynthetic linear electron flux (LEF). The decline in LEF is paralleled by a gradual increase in cyclic electron transport to maintain ATP production. At low water contents, inactivation and supramolecular reorganization of photosystem II becomes apparent, accompanied by functional detachment of light‐harvesting complexes and interrupted access to plastoquinone. This well‐ordered sequence of alterations in the photosynthetic thylakoid membranes helps prepare the plant for the desiccated state and minimize ROS production.
The Impact of Implementation of Family‐Initiated Escalation of Care for the Deteriorating Patient in Hospital: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gill Fenella J. , Leslie Gavin D. , Marshall Andrea P.
Published: June 2016

Background

Rapid response systems incorporate concepts of early recognition of patient deterioration, prompt reporting, and response which result in escalation of patient care. The ability to initiate escalation of care is now being extended to families of hospitalized patients.

Research Aims

To identify the impact of implementation of family‐initiated escalation of care for the deteriorating patient in hospital?

Methods

A systematic review of peer‐reviewed publications was conducted. Databases were searched from January 2005 to May 2015 for articles reporting the implementation and evaluation of family involvement programs. Reference lists of retrieved articles were searched.

Results

Ten articles (all descriptive studies) reported implementation and evaluation of response systems for patients and families to trigger an alert for help; five described a triaged response; five reported systems for families to directly activate the rapid response team. Five articles reported implementation in the pediatric setting. There were a total of 426 family‐initiated calls, range 0.17 to 11 per month, with no deaths reported. All calls were deemed to be appropriate and three calls resulted in intensive care unit admissions. The basis of patient‐ or family‐initiated calls stemmed from communication or systems breakdown. The large range in frequency of calls was associated with the process implemented, the strategies used and the calling criteria (up to four). Feedback from families was positive. There appeared to be a level of staff stress associated with introducing this process.

Linking Evidence to Action

A variety of practice models and calling criteria were reported to either directly activate an existing rapid response team or trigger a separate response to patient‐ or family‐initiated calls. The broader calling criteria and more comprehensive implementation strategies were associated with more patient‐ and family‐initiated escalation of care calls. There is no systematically researched evidence to assess the value of family‐initiated calls for deteriorating patients.
Pricing 50ETF in the Way of American Options Based on Least Squares Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Gao Shuai , Zhao Jun
Published: June 2016

50ETF appears on the Chinese stock market on 9th February,2015, the contracts are European Options and the options are priced by B-S model.50ETF is the only one option that can be traded, there are no American Options in Chinese stock market. This paper studies 50ETF pricing analysis in accordance with the way of American Option. We use Least Squares Monte Carlo Simulation to price 50ETF and analyze them, give the numerical results by matlab program. This issue is worth studying, because the paper studies 50ETF, and price it in the way of American Options, we try to employ Monte Carlo Simulation to solve this problem in china and the results of the paper can enrich the option products in the stock market of China.
Evaluating the Relationship Between Muscle Activation and Spine Kinematics Through Wavelet Coherence
Authors: Hay Dean C. , Wachowiak Mark P. , Graham Ryan B.
Published: June 2016

Advances in time-frequency analysis can provide new insights into the important, yet complex relationship between muscle activation (ie, electromyography [EMG]) and motion during dynamic tasks. We use wavelet coherence to compare a fundamental cyclical movement (lumbar spine flexion and extension) to the surface EMG linear envelope of 2 trunk muscles (lumbar erector spinae and internal oblique). Both muscles cohere to the spine kinematics at the main cyclic frequency, but lumbar erector spinae exhibits significantly greater coherence than internal oblique to kinematics at 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 Hz. Coherence phase plots of the 2 muscles exhibit different characteristics. The lumbar erector spinae precedes trunk extension at 0.25 Hz, whereas internal oblique is in phase with spine kinematics. These differences may be due to their proposed contrasting functions as a primary spine mover (lumbar erector spinae) versus a spine stabilizer (internal oblique). We believe that this method will be useful in evaluating how a variety of factors (eg, pain, dysfunction, pathology, fatigue) affect the relationship between muscles’ motor inputs (ie, activation measured using EMG) and outputs (ie, the resulting joint motion patterns).
The Genome Project-Write
Authors: Boeke Jef D. , Church George , Hessel Andrew , Kelley Nancy J. , Arkin Adam , Cai Yizhi , Carlson Rob , Chakravarti Aravinda , Cornish Virginia W. , Holt Liam , Isaacs Farren J. , Kuiken Todd , Lajoie Marc , Lessor Tracy , Lunshof Jeantine , Maurano Matthew T. , Mitchell Leslie A. , Rine Jasper , Rosser Susan , Sanjana Neville E. , Silver Pamela A. , Valle David , Wang Harris , Way Jeffrey C. , Yang Luhan
Published: June 2016

We need technology and an ethical framework for genome-scale engineering
Complete Genome Sequence of Thiostrepton-Producing Streptomyces laurentii ATCC 31255
Authors: Doi Katsumi , Fujino Yasuhiro , Nagayoshi Yuko , Ohshima Toshihisa , Ogata Seiya
Published: June 2016

Streptomyces laurentii
ATCC 31255 produces thiostrepton, a thiopeptide class antibiotic. Here, we report the complete genome sequence for this strain, which contains a total of 8,032,664 bp, 7,452 predicted coding sequences, and a G+C content of 72.3%.
Complete Genome Sequence of Geobacter anodireducens SD-1
T
, a Salt-Tolerant Exoelectrogenic Microbe in Bioelectrochemical Systems
Authors: Sun Dan , Cheng Shaoan , Wang Aijie , Huang Fangliang , Liu Wenzong , Xia Xue
Published: June 2016

Strain SD-1 is the type strain of the species
Geobacter anodireducens
, which was originally isolated from a microbial fuel cell reactor in the United States. The characteristic of this bacterium is its high electrochemical activity. Here, we report the fully assembled genome and plasmid sequence of
G. anodireducens
SD-1
T
.
Draft Genome Sequence of Oral Bacterium Streptococcus mutans JH1140
Authors: Escano Jerome , Deng Peng , Lu Shi-En , Smith Lief
Published: June 2016

Streptococcus mutans
JH1140 is an oral bacterium known to produce the bacteriocin mutacin 1140, and the strain has been genetically engineered to combat dental caries. Here, we report the 2.0-Mb draft genome of
S. mutans
JH1140. This genome provides new insights into the strain's superior colonization properties and its utility in replacement therapy.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum BFE 5092 Isolated from Maasai Fermented Milk
Authors: Oguntoyinbo Folarin A. , Cho Gyu-Sung , Brinks Erik , Fiedler Gregor , Kabisch Jan , Koberg Sabrina , Bockelmann Wilhelm , Neve Horst , Kang Youn-Goo , Yun Doyeon , Kim Ah-Ram , Narbad Arjan , Franz Charles M. A. P.
Published: June 2016

The draft genome of
Lactobacillus plantarum
BFE 5092 isolated from the Maasai traditional fermented milk product kule naoto was sequenced, and sequence analysis showed the assembled genome size to be 3,285,094 bp, containing a predicted total of 3,111 protein-encoding genes, 17 rRNAs, and 70 tRNAs.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequence of
Sphingobium
sp. 22B, a Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon–Degrading Bacterium from Semiarid Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Madueño L. , Macchi M. , Morelli I. S. , Coppotelli B. M.
Published: June 2016

Sphingobium
sp. 22B is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon–degrading strain isolated from Patagonia, Argentina, with capabilities to withstand the environmental factors of that semiarid region. The draft genome shows the presence of genes related with responses to carbon starvation and drying environmental conditions.
Curcumin Reduces the Motility of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium by Binding to the Flagella, Thereby Leading to Flagellar Fragility and Shedding
Authors: Marathe Sandhya Amol , Balakrishnan Arjun , Negi Vidya Devi , Sakorey Deepika , Chandra Nagasuma , Chakravortty Dipshikha
Published: June 2016

One of the important virulence properties of the pathogen is its ability to travel to a favorable environment, cross the viscous mucus barrier (intestinal barrier for enteric pathogens), and reach the epithelia to initiate pathogenesis with the help of an appendage, like flagella. Nonetheless, flagella can act as an “Achilles heel,” revealing the pathogen's presence to the host through the stimulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. We assessed whether curcumin, a dietary polyphenol, could alter the motility of
Salmonella
, a foodborne pathogen. It reduced the motility of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium by shortening the length of the flagellar filament (from ∼8 μm to ∼5 μm) and decreasing its density (4 or 5 flagella/bacterium instead of 8 or 9 flagella/bacterium). Upon curcumin treatment, the percentage of flagellated bacteria declined from ∼84% to 59%. However, no change was detected in the expression of the flagellin gene and protein. A fluorescence binding assay demonstrated binding of curcumin to the flagellar filament. This might make the filament fragile, breaking it into smaller fragments. Computational analysis predicted the binding of curcumin, its analogues, and its degraded products to a flagellin molecule at an interface between domains D1 and D2. Site-directed mutagenesis and a fluorescence binding assay confirmed the binding of curcumin to flagellin at residues ASN120, ASP123, ASN163, SER164, ASN173, and GLN175.

IMPORTANCE
This work, to our knowledge the first report of its kind, examines how curcumin targets flagellar density and affects the pathogenesis of bacteria. We found that curcumin does not affect any of the flagellar synthesis genes. Instead, it binds to the flagellum and makes it fragile. It increases the torsional stress on the flagellar filament that then breaks, leaving fewer flagella around the bacteria. Flagella, which are crucial ligands for Toll-like receptor 5, are some of the most important appendages of
Salmonella
. Curcumin is an important component of turmeric, which is a major spice used in Asian cooking. The loss of flagella can, in turn, change the pathogenesis of bacteria, making them more robust and fit in the host.
Myeloid Cells in Cutaneous Wound Repair
Authors: Cash Jenna L. , Martin Paul
Published: June 2016

Cutaneous wound repair is a complex, dynamic process with the goal of rapidly sealing any breach in the skin’s protective barrier. Myeloid cells compose a significant proportion of the inflammatory cells recruited to a wound site and play important roles in decontaminating the injured tissue of any invading microorganisms. Subsequently, myeloid cells are able to influence many aspects of the healing response, in part through their capacity to release a large array of signaling molecules that allow them to communicate with and regulate the behavior of other wound cells and in turn, be themselves exquisitely regulated by the wound microenvironment. Macrophages, for example, appear to play important, temporally changing roles in the initiation of scarring and subsequently in matrix remodeling to resolve fibrosis. In this way, myeloid cells seem to play both positive (e.g., pathogen killing and matrix remodeling) and negative (e.g., scarring) roles in wound repair. Further research is of course needed to elucidate the precise temporal and spatial myeloid cell phenotypes and behaviors and ultimately to design effective strategies to optimize the beneficial functions of these cells while minimizing their detrimental contributions to improve wound healing in the clinic.
Boundary-spanning: reflections on the practices and principles of Global Health
Authors: Sheikh Kabir , Schneider Helen , Agyepong Irene Akua , Lehmann Uta , Gilson Lucy
Published: June 2016

As Global Health evolves, not merely as a metaphor for international collaboration, but as a distinct field of practice, it warrants greater consideration of how it is practiced, by whom, and for what goals. We believe that, to become more relevant for the health systems and communities that are their intended beneficiaries, Global Health practices must actively span and disrupt boundaries of geography, geopolitics and constituency, some of which are rooted in imbalances of power and resources. In this process, fostering cross-country learning networks and communities of practice, and building local and national institutions with a global outlook in low and middle-income countries, are critically important. Crucially, boundary-spanning practices in Global Health require a mindset of inclusiveness, awareness of and respect for different coexisting realities.
Clinical excellence: evidence on the assessment of senior doctors' applications to the UK Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards. Analysis of complete national data set
Authors: Campbell John L , Abel Gary
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To inform the rational deployment of assessor resource in the evaluation of applications to the UK Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards (ACCEA).

Setting

ACCEA are responsible for a scheme to financially reward senior doctors in England and Wales who are assessed to be working over and above the standard expected of their role.

Participants

Anonymised applications of consultants and senior academic GPs for awards were considered by members of 14 regional subcommittees and 2 national assessing committees during the 2014–2015 round of applications.

Design

It involved secondary analysis of complete anonymised national data set.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We analysed scores for each of 1916 applications for a clinical excellence award across 4 levels of award. Scores were provided by members of 16 subcommittees. We assessed the reliability of assessments and described the variance in the assessment of scores.

Results

Members of regional subcommittees assessed 1529 new applications and 387 renewal applications. Average scores increased with the level of application being made. On average, applications were assessed by 9.5 assessors. The highest contributions to the variance in individual assessors' assessments of applications were attributable to assessors or to residual variance. The applicant accounted for around a quarter of the variance in scores for new bronze applications, with this proportion decreasing for higher award levels. Reliability in excess of 0.7 can be attained where 4 assessors score bronze applications, with twice as many assessors being required for higher levels of application.

Conclusions

Assessment processes pertaining in the competitive allocation of public funds need to be credible and efficient. The present arrangements for assessing and scoring applications are defensible, depending on the level of reliability judged to be required in the assessment process. Some relatively minor reconfiguration in approaches to scoring might usefully be considered in future rounds of assessment.
Growth performance, gastrointestinal microbial activity, and immunological response of piglets receiving microencapsulatedEnterococcus faecalisCG1.0007 and enzyme complex after an oral challenge withEscherichia coli(K88)
Authors: Chen H.S. , Velayudhan D.E. , Li A. , Feng Z. , Liu D. , Yin Y.L. , Nyachoti C.M.
Published: June 2016

The aim of this study was to determine effects of dietary microencapsulated Enterococcus faecalis CG1.0007 probiotic and multienzyme complex (MC) in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC) challenged piglets. Thirty-six, 21-d-old weanling pigs were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments: a wheat–barley based negative control (NC), NC + MC, NC + probiotic, and NC + MC + probiotic. After 7-d acclimatization to treatments, pigs were weighed, blood was sampled, and then the pigs were orally challenged with an ETEC inoculum. After the challenge, blood was sampled at different time points; performance measures and fecal consistency scores were recorded; and on day 14, all pigs were killed to obtain intestinal tissue samples. During prechallenge, pigs receiving enzyme, probiotic, and a combination of both showed a significant improvement in daily gain (P = 0.03) and feed efficiency (P = 0.04) compared with control. During the postchallenge period, a greater (P = 0.05) ileal villus height was observed for diets supplemented with probiotic alone. Overall, pigs fed diets with probiotic alone also showed less incidence of diarrhea (P = 0.04) compared with control. In summary, the results indicate that dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Enterococcus faecalis CG1.0007 in weaned piglets challenged with ETEC was effective in controlling diarrhea.
More about neutron Majorana mass from exotic instantons: An alternative mechanism in low-scale string theory
Authors: Addazi Andrea
Published: June 2016

We discuss an alternative for baryon-violating six quarks transition in the context of low scale string theory. In particular, with M[Formula: see text] = 10–103 TeV, such a transition can be mediated by two color-triplets through a quartic coupling with down-quarks, generated by exotic instantons, in a calculable and controllable way. We show how flavor-changing neutral currents (FCNCs) limits on color-triplet mass are well compatible with [Formula: see text] oscillation ones. If an [Formula: see text] transition was found, this would be an indirect hint for our model. This would strongly motivate searches for direct channels in proton–proton colliders. In fact, our model can be directly tested in an experimentally challenging 100–1000 TeV proton–proton collider, searching for our desired color-triplet states and an evidence for exotic instantons resonances, in addition to stringy Regge resonances, anomalous Z[Formula: see text]-bosons and gauged megaxion. In particular, our scenario can be related to the 750 GeV diphoton hint identifying it with the gauged megaxion dual to the B-field. On the other hand, this scenario is compatible with TeV-ish color triplets visible at large hadron collider (LHC) and with 1–10 TeV string scale, i.e. stringy resonances at LHC.
A 12-Bit 500-MS/s Current Steering CMOS DAC for High-Speed PLC Modems
Authors: Kwon Chan-Keun , Moon Junil , Kim Soo-Won
Published: June 2016

A 12-bit 500-MS/s current steering digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for high-speed power line communication (PLC) modems is presented in this paper. The performance of current steering DAC is limited by the current cell mismatches and glitch problems caused by switching timing errors. In this paper, the current cell design procedure is presented to minimize random mismatches. Then, a new data-weighted averaging (DWA) technique with fewer glitches and low hardware complexity is proposed to compensate for the gradient mismatch. Spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) improvement and low complexity are effectively achieved by employing both a row–column structure and a (CSA) structure as the floor plan of the proposed DAC. The proposed DAC is implemented in a standard 0.18-[Formula: see text]m CMOS process with an active area of 2.445[Formula: see text]mm2, which achieves a differential non linearity (DNL) of 0.25[Formula: see text]LSB and an integral non-linearity (INL) of 0.19[Formula: see text]LSB. Additionally, the SFDR increases by 13.2[Formula: see text]dB (on average) when employing the proposed DWA technique. The total power consumption of the proposed DAC is 176[Formula: see text]mW from a 1.8-V supply voltage.
Graviton two-point function in 3 + 1 static de Sitter spacetime
Authors: Bernar Rafael P. , Crispino Luís C. B. , Higuchi Atsushi
Published: June 2016

In [R. P. Bernar, L. C. B. Crispino and A. Higuchi, Phys. Rev. D 90 (2014) 024045.] we investigated gravitational perturbations in the background of de Sitter spacetime in arbitrary dimensions. More specifically, we used a gauge-invariant formalism to describe the perturbations inside the cosmological horizon, i.e. in the static patch of de Sitter spacetime. After a gauge-fixed quantization procedure, the two-point function in the Bunch–Davies-like vacuum state was shown to be infrared finite and invariant under time-translation. In this work, we give details of the calculations to obtain the graviton two-point function in 3 + 1 dimensions.
Casimir effect in spacetimes with cosmological constant
Authors: Bessa C. H. G. , Bezerra V. B. , Silva J. C. J.
Published: June 2016

In this work, we study the influence of the gravitational field induced by the presence of a cosmological constant [Formula: see text] on the Casimir energy density. We consider two metrics with the presence of the [Formula: see text]-term, namely de Sitter and Schwarzschild-de Sitter (SdS). In the former case, we consider a conformal de Sitter spacetime and in the last one, a weak gravitational SdS spacetime.
Separate universes in loop quantum cosmology: Framework and applications
Authors: Wilson-Ewing Edward
Published: June 2016

I present a streamlined review of how the separate universe approach to cosmological perturbation theory can be used to study the dynamics of long-wavelength scalar perturbations in loop quantum cosmology (LQC), and then use it to calculate how long-wavelength curvature perturbations evolve across the LQC bounce assuming a constant equation of state. A similar calculation is possible for tensor modes using results from a complementary approach to cosmological perturbation theory in LQC based on an effective Hamiltonian constraint. An interesting result is that the tensor-to-scalar ratio can be suppressed or amplified by quantum gravity effects during the bounce, depending on the equation of state of the matter field dominating the dynamics. In particular, if the equation of state lies between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the value of the tensor-to-scalar ratio will be suppressed during the bounce, in some cases significantly.
On the electrodynamics of moving particles in a quasi flat spacetime with Lorentz violation and its cosmological implications
Authors: Cruz Cláudio Nassif
Published: June 2016

This research aims to develop a new approach towards a consistent coupling of electromagnetic and gravitational fields, by using an electron that couples with a weak gravitational potential by means of its electromagnetic field. To accomplish this, we must first build a new model which provides the electromagnetic nature of both the mass and the energy of the electron, and which is implemented with the idea of [Formula: see text]-photon decay into an electron–positron pair. After this, we place the electron (or positron) in the presence of a weak gravitational potential given in the intergalactic medium, so that its electromagnetic field undergoes a very small perturbation, thus leading to a slight increase in the field’s electromagnetic energy density. This perturbation takes place by means of a tiny coupling constant [Formula: see text] because gravity is a very weak interaction compared with the electromagnetic one. Thus, we realize that [Formula: see text] is a new dimensionless universal constant, which reminds us of the fine structure constant [Formula: see text]; however, [Formula: see text] is much smaller than [Formula: see text] because [Formula: see text] takes into account gravity, i.e. [Formula: see text]. We find [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the speed of light and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m/s) is a universal minimum speed that represents the lowest limit of speed for any particle. Such a minimum speed, unattainable by particles, represents a preferred reference frame associated with a background field that breaks the Lorentz symmetry. The metric of the flat spacetime shall include the presence of a uniform vacuum energy density, which leads to a negative pressure at cosmological scales (cosmological anti-gravity). The tiny values of the cosmological constant and the vacuum energy density will be successfully obtained in agreement with the observational data.
The effect of backreaction on inflationary Brans–Dicke cosmology
Authors: Sahraee M. , Setare M. R.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we study the effect of the quantum backreaction on Brans–Dicke cosmology in inflation era. We consider an inflaton field in the [Formula: see text]-dimensional spacetime in the framework of Brans–Dicke model. We use a new notation for the Brans–Dicke field in terms of the dilaton field. Then we obtain the vacuum expectation value of the full energy–momentum tensor using WKB approximation of the mode functions which satisfy the equations of motion. The obtained vacuum expectation values of energy–momentum tensor are divergent. In order to renormalize it, we introduce a constant cut-off [Formula: see text]. The vacuum expectation value of energy–momentum tensor is separated to the UV and IR parts by using [Formula: see text] cut-off. Then, we use the dimensional regularization method to eliminate divergences by introducing a counterterm action. Also, we calculate the IR contribution of the vacuum expectation value of energy–momentum tensor. Thus, we obtain a physically finite result for the quantum energy–momentum tensor. Finally, we find the effect of backreaction on scale factor.
BF theory explanation of the entropy for rotating isolated horizons
Authors: Wang Jingbo , Huang Chao-Guang
Published: June 2016

In this paper, the isolated horizons (IHs) with rotation are considered. It is shown that the symplectic form is the same as that in the nonrotating case. As a result, the boundary degrees of freedom can be also described by an SO[Formula: see text] BF theory. The entropy of the rotating IH satisfies the Bekenstein–Hawking area law with the same Barbero–Immirzi parameter.
Tsallis nonextensive entropy and the multiplicity distributions in high energy leptonic collisions
Authors: Sharma S. , Kaur M. , Kaur Sandeep
Published: June 2016

The nonextensive behavior of entropy is exploited to explain the regularity in multiplicity distributions in [Formula: see text] collisions at high energies. The experimental data are analyzed by using Tsallis [Formula: see text]-statistics. We propose a new approach of applying Tsallis [Formula: see text]-statistics, wherein the multiplicity distribution is divided into two components; two-jet and multijet components. A convoluted Tsallis distribution is fitted to the data. It is shown that this method gives the best fits which are several orders better than the conventional fit of Tsallis distribution.
No-capture breakup and incomplete fusion reactions induced by stable weakly bound nucleus 9Be
Authors: Seyyedi S. A.
Published: June 2016

The reactions including the stable weakly bound nucleus 9Be have been studied using the classical trajectory model accompanied with the experimental breakup function and the Aage-Winther interaction potential (AW95). In these calculations, the no-capture breakup and the incomplete fusion cross-sections as well as their competition at around the Coulomb barrier have been investigated. Our calculations showed that at a given far-Coulomb-barrier energy the incomplete fusion reaction in different distributions of angular momentum and energies can dominate the no-capture breakup reaction. This dominating process is reversed at the near-barrier energies.
A Study of the Effect of Finite Element Meshing in the Modeling of Elastoplastic Degradation of Composite Laminates
Authors: Sadat S. , Mokaddem A. , Doumi B. , Benrekaa N. , Boutaous A. , Beldjoudi N.
Published: June 2016

Due to the increased use of composite materials in industrial applications, reliable and consistent finite element methods are required for the simulation and optimization of composite structures. In this paper, we presented the effect of finite element meshing in the modeling of degradation in composite structures under tensile stress; we have used an elastoplastic model to simulate the damage and plasticity behavior occurring in laminated composite structures carbon/epoxy: T300/914. This model works with different elements and the results obtained are not sensitive to mesh size. Thus, we have showed that two different meshes give the same results. Our findings are in good agreement compared to the experimental data.
Ethiopian volcanic hazards: a changing research landscape
Authors: Vye-Brown C. , Sparks R. S. J. , Lewi E. , Mewa G. , Asrat A. , Loughlin S. C. , Mee K. , Wright T. J.
Published: June 2016

Collaborative research projects have a significant role in filling the knowledge gaps that are obstacles to the rigorous assessment of volcanic hazards in some locations. Research is essential to generate the evidence on which raising awareness of volcanic hazards, monitoring and early warning systems, risk reduction activities and efforts to increase resilience can be built. We report the current state of volcanic hazards research and practice in Ethiopia and on the collaborative process used in the Afar Rift Consortium project to promote awareness of volcanic hazards. Effective dissemination of findings to stakeholders and the integration of results into existing practice need leadership by in-country researchers, effective long-term collaboration with other researchers (e.g. international groups) and operational scientists, in addition to integration with existing programmes related to disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Understanding Natural Language Queries over Relational Databases
Authors: Li Fei , Jagadish H. V.
Published: June 2016

Natural language has been the holy grail of query interface designers, but has generally been considered too hard to work with, except in limited specific circumstances. In this paper, we describe the architecture of an interactive natural language query interface for relational databases. Through a carefully limited interaction with the user, we are able to correctly interpret complex natural language queries, in a generic manner across a range of domains. By these means, a logically complex English language sentence is correctly translated into a SQL query, which may include aggregation, nesting, and various types of joins, among other things, and can be evaluated against an RDBMS.We have constructed a\ system, NaLIR (Natural Language Interface for Relational databases), embodying these ideas. Our experimental assessment, through user studies, demonstrates that NaLIR is good enough to be usable in practice: even naive users are able to specify quite complex ad-hoc queries.
Data partitioning for single-round multi-join evaluation in massively parallel systems
Authors: Ameloot Tom J. , Geck Gaetano , Ketsman Bas , Neven Frank , Schwentick Thomas
Published: June 2016

A dominant cost for query evaluation in modern massively distributed systems is the number of communication rounds. For this reason, there is a growing interest in single-round multiway join algorithms where data is first reshuffled over many servers and then evaluated in a parallel but communication- free way. The reshuffling itself is specified as a distribution policy. We introduce a correctness condition, called parallel-correctness, for the evaluation of queries w.r.t. a distribution policy. We provide a semantical characterization for when conjunctive queries (and extensions thereof) are parallel-correct and give matching complexity bounds for the associated decision problem.

Motivated by scenarios for workload optimization, we further consider the problem of parallel-correctness transfer from a query Q to a query Q0, that is, whether Q0 is parallelcorrect for all distribution policies for which Q is parallelcorrect. In this case, Q0 can always be evaluated after Q without repartitioning the data. We provide a semantical characterization for parallel-correctness transfer and provide matching complexity bounds for the associated decision problem for conjunctive queries (and extensions). Finally, we investigate restrictions of queries and families of distribution policies with better complexities, including, for instance, the Hypercube distributions.
Resource Bricolage for Parallel DBMSs on Heterogeneous Clusters
Authors: Li Jiexing , Naughton Jeffrey , Nehme Rimma V.
Published: June 2016

Running parallel database systems in an environment with heterogeneous resources has become increasingly common, due to cluster evolution and increasing interest in moving applications into public clouds or shared infrastructures. For database systems running in a heterogeneous cluster, the default uniform data partitioning strategy may overload some of the slow machines while at the same time it may underutilize the more powerful machines. Since the processing time of a parallel query is determined by the slowest machine, such an allocation strategy may result in a significant query performance degradation.

We take a first step to address this problem by introducing a technique we call resource bricolage that improves database performance in heterogeneous environments. Our approach quantifies the performance differences among machines with various resources as they process workloads with diverse resource requirements. We formalize the problem of minimizing workload execution time and view it as an optimization problem, and then we employ linear programming to obtain a recommended data partitioning scheme. We verify the effectiveness of our technique with an extensive experimental study on a commercial database system.
Implicit Parallelism through Deep Language Embedding
Authors: Alexandrov Alexander , Katsifodimos Asterios , Krastev Georgi , Markl Volker
Published: June 2016

Parallel collection processing based on second-order functions such as map and reduce has been widely adopted for scalable data analysis. Initially popularized by Google, over the past decade this programming paradigm has found its way in the core APIs of parallel dataflow engines such as Hadoop's MapReduce, Spark's RDDs, and Flink's DataSets. We review programming patterns typical of these APIs and discuss how they relate to the underlying parallel execution model. We argue that fixing the abstraction leaks exposed by these patterns will reduce the cost of data analysis due to improved programmer productivity. To achieve that, we first revisit the algebraic foundations of parallel collection processing. Based on that, we propose a simplified API that (i) provides proper support for nested collection processing and (ii) alleviates the need of certain second-order primitives through comprehensions -- a declarative syntax akin to SQL. Finally, we present a metaprogramming pipeline that performs algebraic rewrites and physical optimizations which allow us to target parallel dataflow engines like Spark and Flink with competitive performance.
DeepDive
Authors: De Sa Christopher , Ratner Alex , Ré Christopher , Shin Jaeho , Wang Feiran , Wu Sen , Zhang Ce
Published: June 2016

The dark data extraction or knowledge base construction (KBC) problem is to populate a SQL database with information from unstructured data sources including emails, webpages, and pdf reports. KBC is a long-standing problem in industry and research that encompasses problems of data extraction, cleaning, and integration. We describe DeepDive, a system that combines database and machine learning ideas to help develop KBC systems. The key idea in DeepDive is that statistical inference and machine learning are key tools to attack classical data problems in extraction, cleaning, and integration in a unified and more effective manner. DeepDive programs are declarative in that one cannot write probabilistic inference algorithms; instead, one interacts by defining features or rules about the domain. A key reason for this design choice is to enable domain experts to build their own KBC systems. We present the applications, abstractions, and techniques of DeepDive employed to accelerate construction of KBC systems.
Proteasome Addiction Defined in Ewing Sarcoma Is Effectively Targeted by a Novel Class of 19S Proteasome Inhibitors
Authors: Shukla Neerav , Somwar Romel , Smith Roger S. , Ambati Sri , Munoz Stanley , Merchant Melinda , D'Arcy Padraig , Wang Xin , Kobos Rachel , Antczak Christophe , Bhinder Bhavneet , Shum David , Radu Constantin , Yang Guangbin , Taylor Barry S. , Ng Charlotte K.Y. , Weigelt Britta , Khodos Inna , de Stanchina Elisa , Reis-Filho Jorge S. , Ouerfelli Ouathek , Linder Stig , Djaballah Hakim , Ladanyi Marc
Published: June 2016

Ewing sarcoma is a primitive round cell sarcoma with a peak incidence in adolescence that is driven by a chimeric oncogene created from the fusion of the EWSR1 gene with a member of the ETS family of genes. Patients with metastatic and recurrent disease have dismal outcomes and need better therapeutic options. We screened a library of 309,989 chemical compounds for growth inhibition of Ewing sarcoma cells to provide the basis for the development of novel therapies and to discover vulnerable pathways that might broaden our understanding of the pathobiology of this aggressive sarcoma. This screening campaign identified a class of benzyl-4-piperidone compounds that selectively inhibit the growth of Ewing sarcoma cell lines by inducing apoptosis. These agents disrupt 19S proteasome function through inhibition of the deubiquitinating enzymes USP14 and UCHL5. Functional genomic data from a genome-wide shRNA screen in Ewing sarcoma cells also identified the proteasome as a node of vulnerability in Ewing sarcoma cells, providing orthologous confirmation of the chemical screen findings. Furthermore, shRNA-mediated silencing of USP14 or UCHL5 in Ewing sarcoma cells produced significant growth inhibition. Finally, treatment of a xenograft mouse model of Ewing sarcoma with VLX1570, a benzyl-4-piperidone compound derivative currently in clinical trials for relapsed multiple myeloma, significantly inhibited in vivo tumor growth. Overall, our results offer a preclinical proof of concept for the use of 19S proteasome inhibitors as a novel therapeutic strategy for Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4525–34. ©2016 AACR.
Long-term Particulate Matter Exposures during Adulthood and Risk of Breast Cancer Incidence in the Nurses' Health Study II Prospective Cohort
Authors: Hart Jaime E. , Bertrand Kimberly A. , DuPre Natalie , James Peter , Vieira Verónica M. , Tamimi Rulla M. , Laden Francine
Published: June 2016

Background: There is increasing concern that environmental exposures, such as air pollution, may be related to increasing rates of breast cancer; however, results from cohort studies have been mixed. We examined the association between particulate matter (PM) and measures of distance to roadway with the risk of incident breast cancer in the prospective nationwide Nurses' Health Study II (NHSII) cohort.

Methods: Incident invasive breast cancer from 1993 to 2011 (N = 3,416) was assessed among 115,921 women in the NHSII cohort. Time-varying Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for increases in ambient exposures to PM10, PM2.5–10, and PM2.5 and residential roadway proximity categories.

Results: In multivariable adjusted models, there was little evidence of an increased risk of breast cancer (or any of the receptor-specific subtypes) overall or by menopausal status with PM exposure. There was, however, a suggestion of increased risks among women living <50 m of the largest road type (HR = 1.60; 95% CI, 0.80–3.21) or within <50 m of the two largest road types (1.14; 95% CI, 0.84–1.54) compared with women living farther (≥200 m) away.

Conclusions: Among women in the NHSII, we found no statistically significant associations between particulate matter exposures and incidence of breast cancer overall, by menopausal status, or by hormone receptor subtype. There was, however, a suggestion that residential proximity to major roadways may be associated with increased risk.

Impact: These results suggest no elevated breast cancer risk with increasing exposures to particulate matter air pollution, but that other traffic-related exposures may be important. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(8); 1274–6. ©2016 AACR.