Adapting integrity checking techniques for concurrent operation executions

One challenge for achieving executable models is preserving the integrity of the data. That is, given a structural model describing the constraints that the data should satisfy, and a behavioral model describing the operations that might change the data, the integrity checking problem consists in ensuring that, after executing the modeled operations, none of the specified constraints is violated. A multitude of techniques have been presented so far to solve the integrity checking problem. However, to the best of our knowledge, all of them assume that operations are not executed concurrently. As we are going to see, concurrent operation executions might lead to violations not detected by these techniques. In this paper, we present a technique for detecting and serializing those operations that can cause a constraint violation when executed concurrently , so that, previous incremental techniques, exploiting our approach, can be safely applied in systems with concurrent operation executions guaranteeing the integrity of the data.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

N=1 extension of minimal model holography

The CFT dual of the higher spin theory with minimal N = 1 spectrum is determined. Unlike previous examples of minimal model holography, there is no free parameter beyond the central charge, and the CFT can be described in terms of a non-diagonal modular invariant of the bosonic theory at the special value of the 't Hooft parameter lambda=1/2. As evidence in favour of the duality we show that the symmetry algebras as well as the partition functions agree between the two descriptions.Comment: 28 page

Effects of Therapy in Oropharyngeal Dysphagia by Speech and Language Therapists: A Systematic Review

Medical and paramedical treatments should be evaluated according to current standards of evidence-based medicine. Evaluation of therapy in oropharyngeal dysphagia fits into this growing interest. A systematic review is given of the literature on the effects of therapy in oropharyngeal dysphagia carried out by speech therapists. Thus, the review excludes reports of surgical or pharmacological treatments. The literature search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Embase. All available inclusion dates up to November 2008 were used. The search was limited to English, German, French, Spanish, and Dutch publications. MESH terms were supplemented by using free-text words (for the period after January 2005). Fifty-nine studies were included. In general, statistically significant positive therapy effects were found. However, the number of papers was rather small. Moreover, diverse methodological problems were found in many of these studies. For most studies, the conclusions could not be generalized; comparison was hindered by the range of diagnoses, types of therapies, and evaluation techniques. Many questions remain about the effects of therapy in oropharyngeal dysphagia as performed by speech and language therapists. Although some positive significant outcome studies have been published, further research based on randomized controlled trials is needed

Dysphagia: Clinical Management in Adults and Children

Get all the information you need to confidently manage dysphagia in professional practice with Dysphagia: Clinical Management in Adults and Children, 2nd Edition! This logically organized, evidence-based resource reflects the latest advancements in dysphagia in an approachable and user-friendly manner to help you master the clinical evaluation and diagnostic decision-making processes. New coverage of the latest insights and research along with expanded information on infant and child swallowing will help prepare you for the conditions you’ll face in the clinical setting. Plus, the realistic case scenarios and detailed review questions threaded throughout the book will help you develop the clinical reasoning skills needed for professional success.https://inspire.redlands.edu/oh_books/1001/thumbnail.jp

Robust gene expression control in human cells with a novel universal TetR aptamer splicing module.

Fine-tuning of gene expression is desirable for a wide range of applications in synthetic biology. In this context, RNA regulatory devices provide a powerful and highly functional tool. We developed a versatile, robust and reversible device to control gene expression by splicing regulation in human cells using an aptamer that is recognized by the Tet repressor TetR. Upon insertion in proximity to the 5' splice site, intron retention can be controlled via the binding of TetR to the aptamer. Although we were able to demonstrate regulation for different introns, the genomic context had a major impact on regulation. In consequence, we advanced the aptamer to develop a splice device. Our novel device contains the aptamer integrated into a context of exonic and intronic sequences that create and maintain an environment allowing a reliable and robust splicing event. The exon-born, additional amino acids will then be cleaved off by a self-cleaving peptide. This design allows portability of the splicing device, which we confirmed by demonstrating its functionality in different gene contexts. Intriguingly, our splicing device shows a high dynamic range and low basal activity, i.e. desirable features that often prove a major challenge when implementing synthetic biology in mammalian cell lines