Horn fragments of the Halpern-Shoham Interval Temporal Logic

We investigate the satisfiability problem for Horn fragments of the Halpern-Shoham interval temporal logic depending on the type (box or diamond) of the interval modal operators, the type of the underlying linear order (discrete or dense), and the type of semantics for the interval relations (reflexive or irreflexive). For example, we show that satisfiability of Horn formulas with diamonds is undecidable for any type of linear orders and semantics. On the contrary, satisfiability of Horn formulas with boxes is tractable over both discrete and dense orders under the reflexive semantics and over dense orders under the irreflexive semantics but becomes undecidable over discrete orders under the irreflexive semantics. Satisfiability of binary Horn formulas with both boxes and diamonds is always undecidable under the irreflexive semantics

The globalizability of temporal discounting

Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns

Gradual reduction of testosterone using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccination delays castration resistance in a prostate cancer model

In a previous study aimed to design a novel prostate cancer vaccine, the authors of the present study demonstrated the advantage of combining the adjuvants Montanide ISA 51 with very small size proteoliposomes (VSSP) to promote a significant humoral immune response to gonadotropin‑releasing hormone (GnRH) in healthy animals. The present study compared the efficacy of this vaccine formulation versus the standard treatment currently available in terms of preventing the development of tumors in DD/S mice injected with Shionogi carcinoma (SC) 115 cells. The results demonstrated that 5 non‑vaccinated control mice exhibited a fast tumor growth, and succumbed to the disease within 19‑31 days. Mice immunized with the GnRH/Montanide ISA 51/VSSP vaccine exhibited a moderate decline in testosterone levels that was associated with a decrease in anti‑GnRH antibody titers, which lead to a sustained tumor growth inhibition. In total, 2 mice in the immunized group exhibited complete remission of the tumor for the duration of the present study. In addition, castrated mice, which were used as a control for standard hormonal therapy, exhibited an accelerated decrease in tumor size. However, tumor relapse was observed between days 50 and 54, and between days 65 and 85, following the injection of SC 155 cells. Therefore, these mice were sacrificed at day 90. The present study concludes that the slow and moderate reduction of testosterone levels observed using the GnRH‑based vaccine may delay the appearance of castration resistance in a Shionogi prostate cancer model. These findings suggest that this vaccine may be used to delay castration resistance in patients with prostate cancer.The authors would like to thank the Union for International Cancer Control (Geneva, Switzerland; grant no., YY1/09/008/2009) for the fellowship received to support the present study. The authors would also like to thank the researchers at the Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre (Victoria, Canada), British Columbia Cancer Research Centre (Vancouver, Canada) and University of Victoria (Victoria, Canada), particularly Professor Brad Nelson, Dr Julian Lum and Dr John Webb, for purchasing the mice and providing the laboratory facilities required to conduct the present study.http://www.spandidos-publications.com/or/2017-02-27am2016Mammal Research Institut

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Adversidad en el paraíso: vulnerabilidades y género en la costa yucateca

Los estudios en el fenómeno de la vulnerabilidad parten de dos posturas centrales, una que la aborda desde una perspectiva macrosocial y otra que intenta explicarla a partir de conceptos como pobreza, indefensión social y los activos; sin embargo, la propuesta de acercamiento al tema en esta investigación, considera el fenómeno desde las realidades que se desarrollan y confluyen en la vida cotidiana de una persona, grupo o cultura, considerando los aspectos emocionales, y los eventos externos (contexto) e internos (individuales) que cohabitan en la persona; por consiguiente, se planteó como objetivo de este estudio encontrar y delimitar las dimensiones psicosociales de la vulnerabilidad de Celestún, Yucatán. El estudio fue de naturaleza exploratoria y se aplicaron 167 cuestionarios (99 mujeres y 68 hombres), junto con una observación no participante, antes y después de la aplicación del instrumento para la construcción de los instrumentos se consideraron 8 ejes de exploración, los mismos que guiaron el trabajo; en relación a la aplicación de los mismos se generaron alianzas colaborativas con Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil (OSC), gobierno y líderes de la comunidad, con el fin de establecer, a través de ellos los contactos para las entrevistas. Una vez recogida y analizada la información, se destaca, entre los resultados más sobresalientes, que existen prácticas como adicciones, violencia, deserción escolar, carencias en atención a la salud, malestares afectivos entre los y las pobladores de la comunidad. Esto sugiere que Celestún requiere generar mecanismos integrales que permitan el desarrollo, no solo económico, sino afectivo y social de sus habitantes

Direct and Reverse Rewriting in Data Interoperability

Data interoperability refers to the issue of accessing and processing data from multiple sources in order to create more holistic and contextual information for improving data analysis, for better decision-making, and for accountability purposes. In the era towards a data-driven society, the notion of data interoperability is of paramount importance. Looking at the research work in the last decades, several types of data interoperability scenarios emerged, including the following

Series Interconnection of Monolithic 2 Terminal CIGSe Perovskite Tandem Cells Development of a Novel Interconnection Scheme and Laser based Patterning Processes

Perovskite and CIGSe are suitable partners for tandem solar cells, since the bandgap energies of both materials can be precisely adjusted. The fabrication of series interconnected CIGSe perovskite tandem solar cells requires a re design of the series interconnection scheme for single junction cells and the development of the corresponding laser parameters for patterning. In this contribution, we present such a concept based on the evolution of the standard P1 P3 patterning design to a four scribe line scheme by adding an additional isolation cut iso cut to separate the conductive intermediate window layer stack. To realize this interconnection scheme, laser based processes for each individual patterning step were developed and suitable process windows were identified and evaluate