Late-time structure of the Bunch-Davies de Sitter wavefunction

We examine the late time behavior of the Bunch-Davies wavefunction for interacting light fields in a de Sitter background. We use perturbative techniques developed in the framework of AdS/CFT, and analytically continue to compute tree and loop level contributions to the Bunch-Davies wavefunction. We consider self-interacting scalars of general mass, but focus especially on the massless and conformally coupled cases. We show that certain contributions grow logarithmically in conformal time both at tree and loop level. We also consider gauge fields and gravitons. The four-dimensional Fefferman-Graham expansion of classical asymptotically de Sitter solutions is used to show that the wavefunction contains no logarithmic growth in the pure graviton sector at tree level. Finally, assuming a holographic relation between the wavefunction and the partition function of a conformal field theory, we interpret the logarithmic growths in the language of conformal field theory

SHACL Satisfiability and Containment

The Shapes Constraint Language (SHACL) is a recent W3C recommendation language for validating RDF data. Specifically, SHACL documents are collections of constraints that enforce particular shapes on an RDF graph. Previous work on the topic has provided theoretical and practical results for the validation problem, but did not consider the standard decision problems of satisfiability and containment, which are crucial for verifying the feasibility of the constraints and important for design and optimization purposes. In this paper, we undertake a thorough study of the different features of SHACL by providing a translation to a new first-order language, called, that precisely captures the semantics of SHACL w.r.t. satisfiability and containment. We study the interaction of SHACL features in this logic and provide the detailed map of decidability and complexity results of the aforementioned decision problems for different SHACL sublanguages. Notably, we prove that both problems are undecidable for the full language, but we present decidable combinations of interesting features

Transtendinous course of the infrapatellar branch of saphenous nerve. A contribution to the aetiology of entrapment neuropathy and modification of the existing classification

Background: The course of the infrapatellar branch of saphenous nerve (IPBSN) in relation to the Sartorius muscle has been classified into presartorial, transsartorial and retrosartorial types. Mechanical compression of the IPBSN within the Sartorius tendon has been surgically recognised as a cause of entrapment neuropathy. Purpose of the present study was to differentiate the IPBSNs penetrating the Sartorius tendon from those penetrating the Sartorius muscle, from an anatomical and clinical point of views and thus modifying the existing classification. Materials and methods: The IPBSN was bilaterally dissected in 27 cadavers. The cases of the IPBSNs penetrating the Sartorius tendon were recorded separately from those penetrating the Sartorius muscle belly. Results: In 11 out of 54 limbs (20.4%) the IPBSN ran through the Sartorius muscle belly. In 3 out of 54 (5.6%) limbs, the IPBSN penetrated the Sartorius tendon. Conclusions: The penetrating type of IPBSN includes two distinct subtypes: the muscle-penetrating type and the tendon-penetrating type. These subtypes are also distinct from a clinical point of view, since only the tendon-penetrating type has been associated with the IPBSN entrapment neuropathy. According to these findings we suggest a modification of the current classification. Further clinical studies are necessary to fully demonstrate whether the tendon-penetrating type should be considered as a predisposing factor for the IPBSN entrapment neuropathy. Distinguishing the two subtypes might be helpful for that purpose

MicroRNA-203 predicts human survival after resection of colorectal liver metastasis.

BackgroundResection of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) can be curative. Predicting which patients may benefit from resection, however, remains challenging. Some microRNAs (miRNAs) become deregulated in cancers and contribute to cancer progression. We hypothesized that miRNA expression can serve as a prognostic marker of survival after CRLM resection.ResultsMiR-203 was significantly overexpressed in tumors of short-term survivors compared to long-term survivors. R1/R2 margin status and high clinical risk score (CRS) were also significantly associated with short-term survival (both p = 0.001). After adjusting for these variables, higher miR-203 expression remained an independent predictor of shorter survival (p = 0.010). In the serum cohort, high CRS and KRAS mutation were significantly associated with short-term survival (p = 0.005 and p = 0.026, respectively). After adjusting for CRS and KRAS status, short-term survivors were found to have significantly higher miR-203 levels (p = 0.016 and p = 0.033, respectively).Materials and methodsWe employed next-generation sequencing of small-RNAs to profile miRNAs in solid tumors obtained from 38 patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM. To validate, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed on 91 tumor samples and 46 preoperative serum samples.ConclusionsAfter CRLM resection, short-term survivors exhibited significantly higher miR-203 levels relative to long-term survivors. MiR-203 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and its prognostic capacity warrants further investigation

Temperature dependence of ESR intensity for the nanoscale molecular magnet V15

The electron spin resonance (ESR) of nanoscale molecular magnet ${\rm V}_{15}$ is studied. Since the Hamiltonian of ${\rm V}_{15}$ has a large Hilbert space and numerical calculations of the ESR signal evaluating the Kubo formula with exact diagonalization method is difficult, we implement the formula with the help of the random vector technique and the Chebyshev polynominal expansion, which we name the double Chebyshev expansion method. We calculate the temperature dependence of the ESR intensity of ${\rm V}_{15}$ and compare it with the data obtained in experiment. As another complementary approach, we also implement the Kubo formula with the subspace iteration method taking only important low-lying states into account. We study the ESR absorption curve below $100{\rm K}$ by means of both methods. We find that side peaks appear due to the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interaction and these peaks grows as temperature decreases.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. To appear in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. Supp

Parameterized Aspects of Strong Subgraph Closure

Motivated by the role of triadic closures in social networks, and the importance of finding a maximum subgraph avoiding a fixed pattern, we introduce and initiate the parameterized study of the Strong F-closure problem, where F is a fixed graph. This is a generalization of Strong Triadic Closure, whereas it is a relaxation of F-free Edge Deletion. In Strong F-closure, we want to select a maximum number of edges of the input graph G, and mark them as strong edges, in the following way: whenever a subset of the strong edges forms a subgraph isomorphic to F, then the corresponding induced subgraph of G is not isomorphic to F. Hence the subgraph of G defined by the strong edges is not necessarily F-free, but whenever it contains a copy of F, there are additional edges in G to destroy that strong copy of F in G. We study Strong F-closure from a parameterized perspective with various natural parameterizations. Our main focus is on the number k of strong edges as the parameter. We show that the problem is FPT with this parameterization for every fixed graph F, whereas it does not admit a polynomial kernel even when F =P_3. In fact, this latter case is equivalent to the Strong Triadic Closure problem, which motivates us to study this problem on input graphs belonging to well known graph classes. We show that Strong Triadic Closure does not admit a polynomial kernel even when the input graph is a split graph, whereas it admits a polynomial kernel when the input graph is planar, and even d-degenerate. Furthermore, on graphs of maximum degree at most 4, we show that Strong Triadic Closure is FPT with the above guarantee parameterization k - mu(G), where mu(G) is the maximum matching size of G. We conclude with some results on the parameterization of Strong F-closure by the number of edges of G that are not selected as strong

The Bacterial Symbionts of Closely Related Hydrothermal Vent Snails With Distinct Geochemical Habitats Show Broad Similarity in Chemoautotrophic Gene Content

Symbiosis has evolved between a diversity of invertebrate taxa and chemosynthetic bacterial lineages. At the broadest level, these symbioses share primary function: the bacterial symbionts use the energy harnessed from the oxidation of reduced chemicals to power the fixation of inorganic carbon and/or other nutrients, providing the bulk of host nutrition. However, it is unclear to what extent the ecological niche of the host species is influenced by differences in symbiont traits, particularly those involved in chemoautotrophic function and interaction with the geochemical environment. Hydrothermal vents in the Lau Basin (Tonga) are home to four morphologically and physiologically similar snail species from the sister genera Alviniconcha and Ifremeria. Here, we assembled nearly complete genomes from their symbionts to determine whether differences in chemoautotrophic capacity exist among these symbionts that could explain the observed distribution of these snail species into distinct geochemical habitats. Phylogenomic analyses confirmed that the symbionts have evolved from four distinct lineages in the classes γ-proteobacteria or Campylobacteria. The genomes differed with respect to genes related to motility, adhesion, secretion, and amino acid uptake or excretion, though were quite similar in chemoautotrophic function, with all four containing genes for carbon fixation, sulfur and hydrogen oxidation, and oxygen and nitrate respiration. This indicates that differences in the presence or absence of symbiont chemoautotrophic functions does not likely explain the observed geochemical habitat partitioning. Rather, differences in gene expression and regulation, biochemical differences among these chemoautotrophic pathways, and/or differences in host physiology could all influence the observed patterns of habitat partitioning

Graphene-like metallic-on-silicon field effect transistor

In this manuscript, we present a field effect transistor with a channel consisting of a two-dimensional electron gas located at the interface between an ultrathin metallic film of Ni and a p-type Si(111) substrate. We have demonstrated that the two-dimensional electron gas channel is modulated by the gate voltage. The dependence of the drain current on the drain voltage has no saturation region, similar to a field effect transistor based on graphene. However, the transport in this transistor is not ambipolar, as in graphene, but unipolar

Comparing face-to-face with online training for occupational therapists in advising on fitness for work: Protocol for the CREATE study

© The Author(s) 2020. Introduction: Occupational therapists play a key role in advising on fitness for work; however, there is a concern that they lack knowledge and confidence in using the Allied Health Professions health and work report (formerly the Allied Health Professions advisory fitness for work report), developed in the United Kingdom. Comparing a reusable learning object with face-to-face training for occupational therapists in advising on fitness for work (CREATE) compares face-to-face training with online training for occupational therapists in completing the Allied Health Professions health and work report. Method: A mixed methods study. Phase 1, occupational therapists will co-design an online training resource. A standardised face-to-face group-based training session will also be developed based on the same content. Phase 2, a feasibility study will be conducted. Thirty occupational therapists will either attend face-to-face group training or access the online resource. Data on self-reported knowledge and confidence in using the Allied Health Professions health and work report will be collected at baseline, 1 week and 8 weeks post-training. Feedback on the training will be collected by interview and, for the online resource, using an online tool. Results: Quantitative results will be predominantly analysed descriptively. If appropriate, between-group responses will be compared using the Mann–Whitney test. Qualitative findings will be analysed thematically. Conclusion: CREATE will have made a significant contribution to the debate around appropriate training methods in advising on fitness for work

Microbial Diversity in a Military Impacted Lagoon (Vieques, Puerto Rico) as Revealed by Metagenomics

The Anones Lagoon, located in the island municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico (PR), received extensive bombing during military practices by the US Navy for decades. After military activities ceased in 2003, the bombing range was designated as part of a larger Superfund site by US EPA. Here, we employed shotgun metagenomic sequencing to investigate how microbial communities responded to pollution by heavy metals and explosives at this lagoon. Sediment samples (0-5 cm) from Anones were collected in 2005 and 2014 and compared to samples from two reference lagoons, i.e., Guaniquilla, Cabo Rojo (a natural reserve) and Condado, San Juan (PR’s capital city). Consistent with selection under low anthropogenic impacts, Guaniquilla exhibited the highest degree of diversity with lower frequency of genes related to xenobiotics metabolism among the three lagoons. Notably, a clear shift was observed in Anones, with Euryarchaeota becoming enriched (9% of total) and a concomitant increase in community diversity, by about one order of magnitude, after almost 10 years without bombing activities. In contrast, genes associated with explosives biodegradation and heavy metal transformation significantly decreased in abundance in Anones 2014 (by 91.5%). Five unique population genomes were recovered from the Anones 2005 sample that encoded genetic determinants implicated in biodegradation of contaminants. Collectively, these results provided new insights into the natural attenuation of explosive contaminants by the benthic microbial communities of the Anones lagoon and could serve as reference points to enhance bioremediation actions at this site and for assessing other similarly impacted sites. Importance This study represents the first assessment of the benthic microbial community in the Anones Lagoon in Vieques, Puerto Rico after the impact of intense pollution by bombs and unconventional weapons during military training exercises. Evaluating the microbial diversity of Anones, represents an opportunity to assess the microbial succession patterns during the active process of natural attenuation of pollutants. The culture-independent techniques employed to study these environmental samples allowed the recovery of almost complete genomes of several abundant species that were likely involved in the biodegradation of pollutants and thus, represented species responding to the strong selection pressure posed by military activities. Further, our results showed that natural attenuation has proceeded to a great extend ten years after the cease of military activities