Causes and Consequences of State Violence against Civilians: The Rohingya of Myanmar

While the United Nations describes Myanmar’s oppression of the Rohingya as “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing” (UN, 2017), the state maintains that the violence was idiosyncratic and not motivated by anti-Rohingya animus. We assemble existing and original large-sample data to evaluate these claims. First, we document systematic economic motives: violence against minority civilians increased in places suitable for rice cultivation when rice prices were high. Correspondingly, in an original representative survey of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh we find substantial losses of agricultural land, inputs, and inventories. Next, using a vector auto-regression approach, we find that state violence was consistent with Rohingya-specific animus. The state attacked substantially more than the Rohingya militia, targeted civilians disproportionately relative to other ethnic conflicts in Myanmar, and leveraged nationalist religious ideology. Finally, we document high rates of trauma exposure and depression among Rohingya refugees. Together, these results strongly rebut the government’s narrative and illustrate how quantitative tools can shed light on episodes of ethnic cleansing

Constraints on Supersymmetric Grand Unified Theories from Cosmology

Within the context of SUSY GUTs, cosmic strings are generically formed at the end of hybrid inflation. However, the WMAP CMB measurements strongly constrain the possible cosmic strings contribution to the angular power spectrum of anisotropies. We investigate the parameter space of SUSY hybrid (F- and D- term) inflation, to get the conditions under which theoretical predictions are in agreement with data. The predictions of F-term inflation are in agreement with data, only if the superpotential coupling $\kappa$ is small. In particular, for SUSY SO(10), the upper bound is \kappa\lsim 7\times 10^{-7}. This fine tuning problem can be lifted if we employ the curvaton mechanism, in which case \kappa\lsim 8\times 10^{-3}; higher values are not allowed by the gravitino constraint. The constraint on $\kappa$ is equivalent to a constraint on the SSB mass scale $M$, namely M \lsim 2\times 10^{15} GeV. The study of D-term inflation shows that the inflaton field is of the order of the Planck scale; one should therefore consider SUGRA. We find that the cosmic strings contribution to the CMB anisotropies is not constant, but it is strongly dependent on the gauge coupling $g$ and on the superpotential coupling $\lambda$. We obtain g\lsim 2\times 10^{-2} and \lambda \lsim 3\times 10^{-5}. SUGRA corrections induce also a lower limit for $\lambda$. Equivalently, the Fayet-Iliopoulos term $\xi$ must satisfy \sqrt\xi \lsim 2\times 10^{15} GeV. This constraint holds for all allowed values of $g$.Comment: 32 pages, 7 figures. To match published versio

Evolution of a global string network in a matter dominated universe

We evolve the network of global strings in the matter-dominated universe by means of numerical simulations. The existence of the scaling solution is confirmed as in the radiation-dominated universe but the scaling parameter $\xi$ takes a slightly smaller value, $\xi \simeq 0.6 \pm 0.1$, which is defined as $\xi = \rho_{s} t^{2} / \mu$ with $\rho_{s}$ the energy density of global strings and $\mu$ the string tension per unit length. The change of $\xi$ from the radiation to the matter-dominated universe is consistent with that obtained by Albrecht and Turok by use of the one-scale model. We also study the loop distribution function and find that it can be well fitted with that predicted by the one-scale model, where the number density $n_{l}(t)$ of the loop with the length $l$ is given by $n_{l}(t) = \nu/[t^2 (l + \kappa t)^2]$ with $\nu \sim 0.040$ and $\kappa \sim 0.48$. Thus, the evolution of the global string network in the matter-dominated universe can be well described by the one-scale model as in the radiation-dominated universe.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Metrics Pipeline (Codename): An Analytics and Visualization Pipeline for Software Quality Metrics

The Metrics Pipeline (Codename) focuses on metrics indicative of team progress and project health instead of privileging individual metrics, e.g. number of commits, etc. The Metrics Dashboard allows the user to submit the URL of a hosted repository for batch analysis, whose results are then cached. Upon completion, the user can interactively study various metrics over time (at varying granularity), numerically, and visually. The initial version of the system is up and running as a public cloud service (SaaS) and supports project size (KLOC), defect density, defect spoilage, and productivity. While our system is by no means the first to support software metrics, we believe it may be one of the first community-focused extensible resources that can be used by any hosted project

Scaling Property of the global string in the radiation dominated universe

We investigate the evolution of the global string network in the radiation dominated universe by use of numerical simulations in 3+1 dimensions. We find that the global string network settles down to the scaling regime where the energy density of global strings, $\rho_{s}$, is given by $\rho_{s} = \xi \mu / t^2$ with $\mu$ the string tension per unit length and the scaling parameter, $\xi \sim (0.9-1.3)$, irrespective of the cosmic time. We also find that the loop distribution function can be fitted with that predicted by the so-called one scale model. Concretely, the number density, $n_{l}(t)$, of the loop with the length, $l$, is given by $n_{l}(t) = \nu/[t^{3/2} (l + \kappa t)^{5/2}]$ where $\nu \sim 0.0865$ and $\kappa$ is related with the Nambu-Goldstone(NG) boson radiation power from global strings, $P$, as $P = \kappa \mu$ with $\kappa \sim 0.535$. Therefore, the loop production function also scales and the typical scale of produced loops is nearly the horizon distance. Thus, the evolution of the global string network in the radiation dominated universe can be well described by the one scale model in contrast with that of the local string network.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Dilatonic current-carrying cosmic strings

We investigate the nature of ordinary cosmic vortices in some scalar-tensor extensions of gravity. We find solutions for which the dilaton field condenses inside the vortex core. These solutions can be interpreted as raising the degeneracy between the eigenvalues of the effective stress-energy tensor, namely the energy per unit length U and the tension T, by picking a privileged spacelike or timelike coordinate direction; in the latter case, a phase frequency threshold occurs that is similar to what is found in ordinary neutral current-carrying cosmic strings. We find that the dilaton contribution for the equation of state, once averaged along the string worldsheet, vanishes, leading to an effective Nambu-Goto behavior of such a string network in cosmology, i.e. on very large scales. It is found also that on small scales, the energy per unit length and tension depend on the string internal coordinates in such a way as to permit the existence of centrifugally supported equilibrium configuration, also known as vortons, whose stability, depending on the very short distance (unknown) physics, can lead to catastrophic consequences on the evolution of the Universe.Comment: 10 pages, ReVTeX, 2 figures, minor typos corrected. This version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Averaged Methods for Vortex-String Evolution

We discuss friction-dominated vortex-string evolution using a new analytic model recently developed by the authors. By treating the average string velocity, as well as the characteristic lengthscale, as dynamical variables, we can provide a quantitative picture of the complete evolution of a vortex-string network. Previously known scaling laws are confirmed, and new quantitative predictions regarding loop production and evolution are made.Comment: REVTeX, 21 pages, 23 .eps files included. Submitted to Phys. Rev. B. Minor changes---but some key concepts clarifie

Rehabilitation Enablement in Chronic Heart Failure—a facilitated self-care rehabilitation intervention in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (REACH-HFpEF) and their caregivers:rationale and protocol for a single-centre pilot randomised controlled trial

This is the final version of the article. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.INTRODUCTION: The Rehabilitation EnAblement in CHronic Heart Failure in patients with Heart Failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (REACH-HFpEF) pilot trial is part of a research programme designed to develop and evaluate a facilitated, home-based, self-help rehabilitation intervention to improve self-care and quality of life (QoL) in heart failure patients and their caregivers. We will assess the feasibility of a definitive trial of the REACH-HF intervention in patients with HFpEF and their caregivers. The impact of the REACH-HF intervention on echocardiographic outcomes and bloodborne biomarkers will also be assessed. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A single-centre parallel two-group randomised controlled trial (RCT) with 1:1 individual allocation to the REACH-HF intervention plus usual care (intervention) or usual care alone (control) in 50 HFpEF patients and their caregivers. The REACH-HF intervention comprises a REACH-HF manual with supplementary tools, delivered by trained facilitators over 12 weeks. A mixed methods approach will be used to assess estimation of recruitment and retention rates; fidelity of REACH-HF manual delivery; identification of barriers to participation and adherence to the intervention and study protocol; feasibility of data collection and outcome burden. We will assess the variance in study outcomes to inform a definitive study sample size and assess methods for the collection of resource use and intervention delivery cost data to develop the cost-effectiveness analyses framework for any future trial. Patient outcomes collected at baseline, 4 and 6 months include QoL, psychological well-being, exercise capacity, physical activity and HF-related hospitalisation. Caregiver outcomes will also be assessed, and a substudy will evaluate impact of the REACH-HF manual on resting global cardiovascular function and bloodborne biomarkers in HFpEF patients. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is approved by the East of Scotland Research Ethics Service (Ref: 15/ES/0036). Findings will be disseminated via journals and presentations to clinicians, commissioners and service users. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN78539530; Pre-results .This paper presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Programme Grants for Applied Research Programme (Grant Reference Number RP-PG-1210-12004). NB, CA, CJG and RST are also supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) South West Peninsula at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust; KJ by CLAHRC West Midlands and SS by CLAHRC East-Midlands. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Healt

De novo Assembly and Analysis of the Chilean Pencil Catfish Trichomycterus areolatus Transcriptome

Trichomycterus areolatus is an endemic species of pencil catfish that inhabits the riffles and rapids of many freshwater ecosystems of Chile. Despite its unique adaptation to Chile’s high gradient watersheds and therefore potential application in the investigation of ecosystem integrity and environmental contamination, relatively little is known regarding the molecular biology of this environmental sentinel. Here, we detail the assembly of the Trichomycterus areolatus transcriptome, a molecular resource for the study of this organism and its molecular response to the environment. RNA-Seq reads were obtained by next-generation sequencing with an Illumina® platform and processed using PRINSEQ. The transcriptome assembly was performed using TRINITY assembler. Transcriptome validation was performed by functional characterization with KOG, KEGG, and GO analyses. Additionally, differential expression analysis highlights sex-specific expression patterns, and a list of endocrine and oxidative stress related transcripts are included

Cell cycle plasticity underlies fractional resistance to palbociclib in ER+/HER2− breast tumor cells

The CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib blocks cell cycle progression in Estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor-negative (ER+/HER2-) breast tumor cells. Despite the drug's success in improving patient outcomes, a small percentage of tumor cells continues to divide in the presence of palbociclib-a phenomenon we refer to as fractional resistance. It is critical to understand the cellular mechanisms underlying fractional resistance because the precise percentage of resistant cells in patient tissue is a strong predictor of clinical outcomes. Here, we hypothesize that fractional resistance arises from cell-to-cell differences in core cell cycle regulators that allow a subset of cells to escape CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy. We used multiplex, single-cell imaging to identify fractionally resistant cells in both cultured and primary breast tumor samples resected from patients. Resistant cells showed premature accumulation of multiple G1 regulators including E2F1, retinoblastoma protein, and CDK2, as well as enhanced sensitivity to pharmacological inhibition of CDK2 activity. Using trajectory inference approaches, we show how plasticity among cell cycle regulators gives rise to alternate cell cycle "paths" that allow individual tumor cells to escape palbociclib treatment. Understanding drivers of cell cycle plasticity, and how to eliminate resistant cell cycle paths, could lead to improved cancer therapies targeting fractionally resistant cells to improve patient outcomes