cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sigma-1 receptors potentiate epidermal growth factor signaling towards neuritogenesis in PC12 cells: potential relation to lipid raft reconstitution.

We previously demonstrated that overexpression of σ-1 receptors (σ-1R) potentiated neurite sprouting caused by nerve growth factor in PC12 cells (Takebayashi et al. 2002 J Pharmacol Exp Ther 202:1227–1237). In this study we examined if σ-1R may be involved in the action of epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF is conventionally recognized as a mitogenic factor that stimulates only the proliferation of various types of cells, including PC12 cells. We found here that in σ-1 receptor-overexpressing PC12 cells (σ-1R OE cells), EGF markedly stimulates neuritogenesis without affecting cellular proliferation. EGF receptors (EGFR) are largely reduced in lipid rafts and are enriched in non-raft regions in σ-1R OE cells. The enrichment of EGFR in the non-raft region is correlated with enhanced downstream signaling of EGFR including the phosphorylation of both EGFR and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs). Destruction of cholesterol-containing rafts by treating cells with methyl-β-cyclodextrin also causes a reduction of EGFR in lipid rafts, a concomitant increase in the phosphorylation of both EGFR and ERK, and an increase in the EGF-induced neurite sprouting in wildtype cells. Furthermore, while overexpression of σ-1R increases the level of lipid raft-associated cholesterol, the overexpression alters the levels of gangliosides in lipid rafts: GM1 and GM2 are decreased, whereas GD1a is increased. We conclude that σ-1R cause the remodeling of lipid rafts, at least by increasing the level of lipid raft-associated cholesterol and by altering the levels of certain critical lipid raft-forming gangliosides. σ-1R may thus play an important role in directing EGF signaling towards neuritogenesis, perhaps by shifting EGFR from the lipid raft into non-raft regions. Synapse 53:90–103, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Vibrational relaxation in He-CO and He-HF: A unitary distorted-wave approach

Abstract A simple, unitary distorted-wave method is used to investigate vibrationally inelastic collisions in He-CO and HE-HF. This approach is reasonably accurate yet significantly faster than close coupling. Because the approach is fully analytic, no computational difficulties occur near threshold energies as is commonly the case with close-coupling schemes. Moreover, unlike simple perturbative approaches, the present method conserves probability and treats the coupling to infinite order in the potential strength so that multiquanta transitions are provided. Inelastic cross sections for energies up to 10 eV and relaxation rate constants for temperatures up to 3800 K are computed and compared to close-coupling and experimental results. Qualitative features such as Landau-Teller rate behavior are correctly reproduced, and, in the high temperature limit where the present approach is applicable, reasonable quantitative agreement is found between computed and measured rates for He-CO. Computed He-HF rates are smaller than predicted by experiment but exhibit the correct temperature dependence (slope) on Landau-Teller plots. Because of its large energy spacing, H-F is significantly more quantum-like in nature than CO and may therefore require special computational consideration. In particular, vibrational-rotational coupling effects ignored in this treatment may be significant for He-HF.
Thioredoxin reductase-thioredoxin fusion enzyme from Mycobacterium leprae: comparison with the separately expressed thioredoxin reductase

Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) catalyzes the reduction of thioredoxin (Trx) by NADPH. A unique gene organization of TrxR and Trx has been found in Mycobacterium leprae, where TrxR and Trx are encoded by a single gene and, therefore, are expressed as a fusion protein (MlTrxR-Trx). This fusion enzyme is able to catalyze the reduction of thioredoxin or 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) or 1, 4-naphthoquinone by NADPH, though the activity is much lower than that of Escherichia coli TrxR. It has been proposed that a large conformational change is required in catalysis of E. coli TrxR. Because the reductase portion of the enzyme from M. leprae shows significant primary structure similarity with E. coli TrxR, it is possible that MlTrxR-Trx may require a similar conformational change and that the change in conformation may be affected by the tethered Trx. The reductase has been expressed without Trx attached (MlTrxR). As reported here, comparison of the steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics of MlTrxR-Trx with those of MlTrxR suggests that the low reductase activity of the fusion enzyme is an inherent property of the reductase, and that any steric limitation caused by the attached thioredoxin in the fusion protein makes only a minor contribution to the low activity. Titration of MlTrxR-Trx and MlTrxR with 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (AADP+), an NADP(H) analogue, results in only slight quenching of FAD fluorescence, suggesting an enzyme conformation in which the binding site of AADP+ is not close to the FAD, as in one of the conformations of E. coli TrxR.
Abstract 3001: Aberrantly up-regulated synaptotagmin-like 2 (SYTL2) promotes tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer cells .

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among woman and has the highest case-fatality rate among gynecologic cancers. Recently, microarray based high-throughput studies have characterized the genomics of epithelial ovarian cancer. These studies have revealed extensive DNA copy number alterations with large areas of gene amplification. There are however little data identifying the genes critical for the clinicopathologic characteristics of this tumor. Here, we describe an analysis of 11q14 amplicon which has been found in 25% of serous ovarian cancers. Among the genes in the 11q14 amplicon we validate an increased DNA copy number of SYTL2 in patient samples and show that this gene has the strongest negative prognostic power. Ectopic overexpression of SYTL2 in ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and A224 showed increases in cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion in vitro. In nude mice xenograft models, SYTL2 expression in A2780 cells resulted in increased tumor formation. SYTL2 may act through a novel mechanism by enhancing the secretion of Wnt-3a while having minimal effects on its expression. In summary, our data suggest SYTL2 has oncogenic effcst in ovarian cancer and may contribute to the progression of the disease. Citation Format: Sung-hoon Kim, Samuel C. Mok, Wei Wei, Vathipadiekal Vinod, Gayatry Mohapatra, Michael Birrer. Aberrantly up-regulated synaptotagmin-like 2 (SYTL2) promotes tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer cells . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3001. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3001
Amino Acid Composition of Planktonic Foraminifera: A Paleobiochemical Approach to Evolution

A unique, species-specific amino acid composition is identified with each of 16 species of planktonic Foraminifera isolated from the tops of deep-sea sediment cores. This amino acid pattern appears to directly reflect the genotype. The total amino acid content ranges from 2.0 to 4.2 micromoles per gram of calcified tissue or 0.02 to 0.04 percent by weight. Analyses of two Early Miocene species indicate that characteristic compositional differences are sufficiently well preserved over geologic time to determine phylogenetic affinities among extinct species living at least 18 million years ago.
On the robustness of uncertain time-delay systems with structured uncertainties☆

This paper considers the robust stability and robust performance of uncertain delay systems subject to possibly structured uncertainties using structured singular values with phase information. Computationally efficient sufficient conditions for robust stability and performance problem are derived.
Precipitated withdrawal during maintenance opioid blockade with extended release naltrexone

Background There has been increasing interest in the use of extended release injectable naltrexone for the treatment of opioid dependence. Case description We report a case of precipitated withdrawal in a 17-year-old adolescent female receiving extended release naltrexone (Vivitrol) for opioid dependence, following her third serial monthly dose of the medication, several days after using oxycodone with mild intoxication. Conclusions This case suggests that, in some circumstances, the opioid blockade may be overcome when naltrexone levels drop towards the end of the dosing interval, producing vulnerability to subsequent naltrexone-induced withdrawal. This may provide cautionary guidance for clinical management and dosing strategies.
Networking of full-fidelity simulators for advanced mission training

The Multiple Simulator Networking (MULTISIM) Research and Development Program has demonstrated successfully the feasibility and merits of simulated aviator team training by linking existing full-scale simulators within the Army's Synthetic Flight Training Systems (SFTS) inventory. The authors report on the demonstration of the technology and application of MULTISIM at the Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker, AL, using four existing SFTS devices. The demonstration showed the ease and cost-effectiveness that networking existing simulators can have and how team aviator training and research can be accomplished effectively. For certain segments of the combined arms community, the simulation must provide the heavy workload that the aviator experiences in actual combat. The tactical decisions which the aviator must make require use of the total flight envelope, maximum use of terrain, and exact use of available weapons, as well as coordination and communications. High-level research, as applied with MULTISIM, also requires these simulator characteristics to allow the study of weapon and avionics effectiveness, tactics, and doctrine in an accurately modeled, stressful, and interactive team setting, including man in-the-loop adversaries. >
A comprehensive geometry-dependent macromodel for substrate noise coupling in heavily doped CMOS processes

An accurate substrate noise coupling macromodel for heavily doped CMOS processes is presented. The model is based on Z parameters that are scalable with contact separation and size. Extensive experimental validations of the model have demonstrated that the modeled Z parameters are most often accurate to within 2-8%.
Moral cognition and its neural constituents.

Identifying the neural mechanisms of moral cognition is especially difficult. In part, this is because moral cognition taps multiple cognitive sub-processes, being a highly distributed, whole-brain affair. The assumptions required to make progress in identifying the neural constituents of moral cognition might simplify morally salient stimuli to the point that they no longer activate the requisite neural architectures, but the right experiments can overcome this difficulty. The current evidence allows us to draw a tentative conclusion: the moral psychology required by virtue theory is the most neurobiologically plausible.
Molecular Population Genetics of Inversion Breakpoint Regions in Drosophila pseudoobscura

Paracentric inversions in populations can have a profound effect on the pattern and organization of nucleotide variability along a chromosome. Regions near inversion breakpoints are expected to have greater levels of differentiation because of reduced genetic exchange between different gene arrangements whereas central regions in the inverted segments are predicted to have lower levels of nucleotide differentiation due to greater levels of genetic flux among different karyotypes. We used the inversion polymorphism on the third chromosome of Drosophila pseudoobscura to test these predictions with an analysis of nucleotide diversity of 18 genetic markers near and away from inversion breakpoints. We tested hypotheses about how the presence of different chromosomal arrangements affects the pattern and organization of nucleotide variation. Overall, markers in the distal segment of the chromosome had greater levels of nucleotide heterozygosity than markers within the proximal segment of the chromosome. In addition, our results rejected the hypothesis that the breakpoints of derived inversions will have lower levels of nucleotide variability than breakpoints of ancestral inversions, even when strains with gene conversion events were removed. High levels of linkage disequilibrium were observed within all 11 breakpoint regions as well as between the ends of most proximal and distal breakpoints. The central region of the chromosome had the greatest levels of linkage disequilibrium compared with the proximal and distal regions because this is the region that experiences the highest level of recombination suppression. These data do not fully support the idea that genetic exchange is the sole force that influences genetic variation on inverted chromosomes.
Apparent resistance of the integument of the invertebrate Lehmannia poirieri to production of papillary tumors by a known chemical carcinogen

Papillary tumors of the skin of the land invertebrate Lehmannia poirieri (a gastropod) could not be induced by using a potent vertebrate carcinogen. With the same agent 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene papillary tumors can readily be induced in mice. The resistance of this invertebrate to a known vertebrate carcinogen is discussed and the ramifications are conjectured.
Regulation of copper concentration in the oceanic nutricline by phytoplankton uptake and regeneration cycles

Similar sigmoidal relationships were observed between cellular Cu : C ratios and free cupric ion concentration for the neritic alga Thalassiosira pseudonana and two oceanic species (Thalassiosira oceanica and Emiliania huxleyi) grown in trace metal ion buffered media. Only 5-g-fold variations in cell Cu : C were observed for these species over the [Cu2+] range 3 x lo-l5 to 3 x lo-l2 M, with increasing cell copper vs. [Cu2+] slopes above and below this range. At the mean [Cu2+] for the euphotic zone of the North Pacific ( 10-13.2 M), cell Cu : C ratios for the three species were 4.4, 4.4, and 3.8 I.cmol mol-I, similar to values for plankton taken from North Pacific waters. These values also match the mean Cu : C ratio of 4.1 pmol mol -I determined from slopes of linear relationships between Cu and PO, in the nutricline of the central North Pacific and the “Redfield” C : PO, ratio in plankton of 106 : 1. This agreement provides strong evidence that copper concentrations in remote oceanic nutriclines are regulated by phytoplankton uptake and regeneration
Performance Characteristics of a Pseudo-Operational Ensemble Kalman Filter

The 2-yr performance of a pseudo-operational (real time) limited-area ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) based on the Weather Research and Forecasting Model is described. This system assimilates conventional observations from surface stations, rawinsondes, the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), and cloud motion vectors every 6 h on a domain that includes the eastern North Pacific Ocean and western North America. Ensemble forecasts from this system and deterministic output from operational numerical weather prediction models during this same period are verified against rawinsonde and surface observation data. Relative to operational forecasts, the forecast from the ensemble-mean analysis has slightly larger errors in wind and temperature but smaller errors in moisture, even though satellite radiances are not assimilated by the EnKF. Time-averaged correlations indicate that assimilating ACARS and cloud wind data with flow-dependent error statistics provides corrections to the moisture field in the absence of direct observations of that field. Comparison with a control experiment in which a deterministic forecast is cycled without observation assimilation indicates that the skill in the EnKF’s forecasts results from assimilating observations and not from lateral boundary conditions or the model formulation. Furthermore, the ensemble variance is generally in good agreement with the ensemble-mean error and the spread increases monotonically with forecast hour.
A servo-controlled robot gripper with multiple sensors and its logical specification

The logical specification of a microprocessor-based air-servo-controlled robot hand is presented, as well as its actual implementation. This hand can accommodate a wide variety of workpieces and allows for flexible assembly through the use of an automatic quick-change fingertip. The changeable set of gripper fingers is equipped with sensors, including a tactile force sensor, a crossfire sensor, a proximity sensor, and a slip sensor. A changeable set of gripper fingers with different sensing ranges can cope with certain subranges of the workpiece spectrum. A considerable cost saving is achieved by not changing the gripper itself. This specially designed hardware and software system includes position and force feedback. A PUMA 560 is used to test the success of the entire process.
Multistage VIPA etalons for high-extinction parallel Brillouin spectroscopy

We demonstrate a high-resolution high-extinction parallel spectrometer for Brillouin spectroscopy of turbid samples. Cascading multiple VIPA etalons in the cross-axis configuration allowed us to achieve a high extinction ratio of up to 80 dB with sub-GHz resolution. Using a three-stage VIPA, we obtained the Brillouin spectra from Intralipid solutions at concentrations up to 10%.
Relationships between climate, process, and performance in continuous quality improvement groups

Abstract This study examined relationships between group climate (participants’ learning orientation, feelings of psychological safety, and self-disclosure), process (feedback and conflict), and performance in continuous quality improvement groups. Forty-nine participants in eight hospital groups were surveyed as the groups neared completion. Groups were classified as high or low performing based on interviews with group leaders and facilitators. Ratings of self-disclosure and feelings of psychological safety were related to lower relationship and task conflict and more giving and seeking feedback. Learning orientation was positively related to feedback. Climate and feedback were positively related to creativity of outcomes, while learning orientation and having an active facilitator were related to performance ratings. High performing teams were higher in ratings of learning orientation, facilitation, creativity of outcomes, and overall performance. The results demonstrate the importance of facilitation of learning and interpersonal relationships within structured groups.
Risk Assessment in Organized Crime Developing a Market and Product-Based Model to Determine Threat Levels

The risk posed by organized crime is a central concern of governments around the world. The infiltration and control of legal and illegal markets and products is a major concern in nearly every country. New agencies and initiatives are under way in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium, and elsewhere, with the specific purpose to better predict and detect organized crime activity. This article proposes a model to assess the risk of organized crime. It employs a different unit of analysis from most current models, focusing on illicit markets rather than groups, and it offers a practical alternative for determining the presence of organized crime in areas that may or may not have a history of organized crime involvement.
REVISED GENERALIZED PHRASE STRUCTURE GRAMMAR

In this paper, I revise generalized phrase structure grammar (GPSG) linguistic theory so that it is more tractable and linguistically constrained. Revised GPSG is also easier to understand, use, and implement. I provide an account of topicalization, explicative pronouns, and parasitic gaps in the revised system and conclude with suggestions for efficient parser design.
Solitary plasmacytomas of bone and extramedullary plasmacytomas a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study

Twenty-two patients with solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB) and 13 with extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMP) were studied. The average follow-up period for SPB was 90 months and 86 months for EMP. Thirty-six percent of patients with SPB developed multiple myeloma (MM) in an average of 39 months, and 23% of patients with EMP developed MM in an average of 23 months. No significant differences in survival, incidence of MM, or interval to the development of MM were found between the two groups. The 11 cases of EMP with evaluable tissue for immunohistochemical study were either monotypic kappa or lambda, as were 9 of 10 SPB. Presence of monoclonality did not predict the development of MM. The histologic parameters of nuclear immaturity and presence of prominent - nucleoli seem to be the best indicators of which patients will develop MM. Solitary plasmacytoma of bone and EMP appear to be more closely related than has been previously recognized.
Fish oil and indomethacin in combination potently reduce dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis in LDLR(-/-) mice.

Fish oil (FO) is a potent anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering agent. Because inflammation can modulate lipid metabolism and vice versa, we hypothesized that combining FO with cyclooxygenase inhibitors (COXIBs), well-known anti-inflammatory drugs, can enhance the anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effect of FO. LDLR −/− mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 6% olive oil or FO for 12 wk in the presence or absence of indomethacin (Indo, 6 mg/l drinking water). FO reduced plasma total cholesterol by 30% but, in combination with Indo, exerted a greater decrease (44%). The reduction of liver cholesterol ester (CE) and triglycerides (TG) by FO (63% and 41%, respectively) was enhanced by Indo (80% in CE and 64% in TG). FO + Indo greatly increased the expression of genes modulating lipid metabolism and reduced the expression of inflammatory genes compared with control. The mRNA and/or protein expression of pregnane X receptor (PXR) and cytochrome P450 isoforms that alter inflammation and/or lipid metabolism are increased to a greater extent in mice that received FO + Indo. Moroever, the nuclear level of PXR is significantly increased in FO + Indo group. Combining FO with COXIBs may exert their beneficial effects on inflammation and lipid metabolism via PXR and cytochrome P450.
Cosmological Quantum Jump Dynamics II. The Retrodictive Universe

This paper is a continuation of the paper gr-qc/0203045 and is devoted to the problem of the arrow of time. A deterministic past-directed dynamics is constructed, which results in the retrodictive universe. A future-directed dynamics of the latter is indeterministic and reproduces standard probabilistic quantum dynamics. The arrow of time is inherent in the retrodictive universe as well as a future-directed increase of informational entropy.
A New, Iterative, Synchronous-Response Algorithm for Analyzing the Morton Effect

Morton Effect problems involve the steady increase in rotor synchronous-response amplitudes due to differential heating across a fluid-film bearing that is in turn induced by synchronous response. The present work presents a new computational algorithm for analyzing Morton Effect. Previous studies on the Morton Effect were based on Eigen or Nyquist analysis for stability studies and predicted an onset speed of instability. The algorithm starts with a steady state elliptical orbit produced by the initial imbalance distribution, which is decomposed into a forward-precessing circular orbit and a backwards-precessing circular orbit. A separate (and numerically intensive) calculation based on the Reynolds equation plus the energy equation gives predictions for the temperature distributions induced by these separate orbits for a range of orbit radius-to-clearance ratios. Temperature distributions for the forward and backward orbits are calculated and added to produce the net temperature distribution due to the initial elliptic orbit. The temperature distribution is assumed to vary linearly across the bearing and produces a bent-shaft angle across the bearing following an analytical result due to Dimoragonas. This bent shaft angle produces a synchronous rotor excitation in the form of equal and opposite moments acting at the bearing’s ends. For a rotor with an overhung section, the bend also produces a thermally induced imbalance. The response due to the initial mechanical imbalance, the bent-shaft excitation, and the thermally-induced imbalance are added to produce a new elliptic orbit, and the process is repeated until a converged orbit is produced. For the work reported, no formal stability analysis is carried out on the converged orbit. The algorithm predicts synchronous response for the speed range of concern plus the speed where the response amplitudes becomes divergent by approaching the clearance. Predictions are presented for one examples from the published literature, and elevated vibration levels are predicted well before the motion diverges. Synchronous-response amplitudes due to Morton Effect can be orders of magnitude greater than the response due only to mechanical imbalance, particularly near rotor critical speeds. For the example considered, bent-shaft-moment excitation produces significantly higher response levels than the mechanical imbalance induced by thermal bow. The impact of changes for (1) bearing length to diameter ratio, (2) reduced lubricant viscosity, (3) bearing radius-to-clearance ratio and (4) overhung mass magnitude are investigated. Reducing lubricant viscosity and/or the overhung mass are predicted to be the best remedies for Morton Effect problems.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Rubin, Donald B. (b. 1943)

Donald B. Rubin (b. 1943) has made seminal contributions to the modern analysis of missing data and causal inference in randomized and nonrandomized designs. An overview of his contributions in these two areas is presented. Keywords: data analysis in psychology; statistical methods in psychology; cause-and-effect-relationships; methodology; missing data; potential outcomes; propensity score analysis; quasi-experiments; randomized experiment
Stress in the city: influence of urban social stress and violence on pregnancy and postpartum quality of life among adolescent and young mothers

Adolescent and young mothers transitioning from pregnancy to postpartum need to maintain an optimal quality of life. Stress and exposure to violence (e.g., intimate partner violence (IPV), nonpartner violence) are predictors of poor quality of life for adult women; however, these associations remain understudied among adolescent and young mothers in urban areas. Guided by the social ecological model, the current study created a latent variable, urban social stress, to examine the impact of the urban social environment (i.e., stressful life events, discrimination, family stress, and neighborhood problems) on the quality of life of adolescent and young mothers during both pregnancy and postpartum. The current study is a secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study of 296 expectant young mothers recruited at obstetrics and gynecology clinics. Results from structural equation and multigroup models found that higher urban social stress predicted lower mental and physical quality of life during pregnancy, but these associations were significantly stronger for IPV-exposed and nonpartner violence-exposed mothers. In the postpartum period, higher urban social stress predicted lower mental and physical quality of life, but these associations were significantly stronger for IPV-unexposed and nonpartner violence-exposed mothers. Stress reduction programs need to help adolescent and young mothers in urban areas develop stress management skills specific to urban social stress. Pregnancy and parenting programs need to be tailored to the specific needs of young mothers in urban areas by becoming sensitive to the role of IPV and nonpartner violence in these young women's lives.
P4-05-04: Arachidonic Acid-Induced Elevated Expression of 5-Lipoxygenase Is Linked to Metastatic Migration of Breast Cancer Cells.

Background: In invasive breast cancers, cancerous cells spread outside the ducts of the breast and metastasize to lung and other tissues. Although the rapid arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and concomitant increase of eicosanoid molecules are involved in the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells, the exact mechanism by which AA metabolites regulate these phenomena are not well understood. Here, we show that leukotriene B4 (LTB4), one of the metabolites of AA, which is produced by the action of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), causes the proliferation and metastatic migration of breast cancer cells. Material and Methods: MDA-MB-231 (invasive breast cancer cells) and MCF7 (non-invasive breast cancer cells) were used in this study. Briefly, cells were treated with AA (100 μM) and nordihydroguaiarectin acid (NDGA, 10 μM), and the secreted eicosanoids were characterized by HPLC. Immunofluorescence microscopy was performed to elucidate the expression and intracellular localization of 5-LOX. The metastatic migration was analyzed by wound-healing assays. Results: Our results suggest that while MDA-MB-231 cells produce high levels of PGE2 and PGD2, MCF7 cells synthesize excess HETE compounds (HETE5 and HETE8). Interestingly, MDA-MB-231 cells, when stimulated with AA, show the increased syntheses of LTB4 (∼3 fold) and decreased PGE2 and PGD2 (∼2 fold). In MCF7, on the contrary, AA treatment reduced the syntheses of all eicosanoids. Furthermore, the expression of 5-LOX in MDA-MB-231 cells was also increased by ∼2 fold. We observed that AA promotes cell migration in MDA-MB-231 cells, which could be blocked by NDGA, a generic inhibitor of LOX enzymes. Because LTB4 production and its binding with BLT receptors are linked to IL-8 secretion, we measured the level of IL-8 synthesized by both MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The results suggest that MDA-MB-231 cells secrete excess IL-8 (∼2 fold) when stimulated with AA, suggesting that LTB4 and IL-8 interactive pathways are important for cancer metastasis. Discussion: Our results demonstrate that LTB4 synthesis is linked to the metastatic migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, and that it therefore should be considered as a target for developing new drugs for the treatment of invasive breast cancers. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-05-04.
Ten-year update on mortality among mild-steel welders.

Objectives This study is an update on the lung cancer risk of mild-steel welders with no asbestos exposure using a cohort of nonwelders for comparison. Methods The subjects came from three United States (US) plants that manufactured heavy equipment. The follow-up was extended from 1988 to 1998. The welders were not exposed to asbestos (typical of shipyard welders) or to chromium or nickel (present in stainless steel). Results There were 108 lung cancer deaths among the welders and 128 such deaths among the nonwelders (double the previous number of lung cancer deaths). The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for lung cancer was 1.46 [95% confidence interval (95% CI 1.20-1.76] for the welders and 1.18 (95% CI 0.98-1.40) for the nonwelders, both in comparison with the US general population. Direct comparison between the welders and nonwelders yielded a rate ratio of 1.22 (95% CI 0.93-1.59). Analyses using a 15-year lag time did not differ greatly from those of an unlagged analysis. There were no marked trends for lung cancer risk by duration of exposure or latency. Evidence from cross-sectional data from a sample of the cohort indicated that the welders smoked somewhat more than the US population and more than the nonwelders. An approximate adjustment of the rate ratios for possible confounding by smoking suggested that smoking may have accounted for about half of the excess lung cancer observed among the welders versus that of either reference population. Conclusions These data provide suggestive but not conclusive evidence of a modest lung cancer risk from mild-steel welding.
Reproductive steroid receptors and actions in the locus coeruleus of male macaques: Part of an aggression circuit?

This study was initiated to determine whether the noradrenergic (NE) neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) could mediate the stimulatory action of androgens on serotonin-related gene expression in male macaques. These experiments follow our observations that serotonin neurons lack androgen receptors (ARs), and yet respond to androgens. Male Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) were castrated for 5-7months and then treated for 3months with [1] placebo, [2] T (testosterone), [3] DHT (dihydrotestosterone; non-aromatizable androgen) plus ATD (steroidal aromatase inhibitor), or [4] FLUT (Flutamide; androgen antagonist) plus ATD (n=5/group). The noradrenergic (NE) innervation of the raphe was determined with immunolabeling of axons with an antibody to dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH). Immunolabeling of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) dendrites and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) axons innervating the LC was also determined. Due to the longer treatment period employed, the expression of the cognate nuclear receptors was sought. Androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) immunostaining was accomplished. Quantitative image analysis was applied and immunopositive neurons or axons with boutons were measured. Double-label of NE neurons for each receptor plus TH determined whether the receptors were localized in NE neurons. Androgens with or without aromatase activity significantly stimulated DBH axon density in the raphe (ANOVA, p=0.006), and LC dendritic TH (ANOVA, p 80% of LC NE neurons contained ERα or ERβ. In conclusion, the LC NE neurons may transduce the stimulatory effect of androgens on serotonin-related gene expression. Since LC NE neurons lack AR, the androgenic stimulation of dendritic TH and axonal DBH may be indirectly mediated by other neurons. Estrogen, either from metabolism of T or from de novo synthesis, appears necessary for robust CRH innervation of the LC, which differs from female macaques.
Display procedures

Although the use of structured display files is widespread in interactive computer graphics, these structures present a number of problems which tend to restrict their generality and usefulness. This paper discusses some of these problems, and suggests an alternative approach to display system design which avoids the use of structured display files.This technique employs display procedures to generate information for display. By including transformations within calls to these procedures it is possible both to simplify the specification of pictures and to speed up their generation. Display procedures permit picture elements to be defined conditionally and also facilitate the processing of inputs from pointing devices. The paper is illustrated by examples from a version of the EULER language in which display procedures were implemented.
Mobility of Water in Binary System of Bread and Cheese as Studied by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) measurements were carried out on bread and cheese binary system to investigate the relationship between the moisture mobility of bread and cheese. The mobility of the water contained in bread was studied with low field NMR to measure their relaxation times (T1 and T2) during the storage of bread and cheese compound samples. T2 mapping state diagram of the systems was calculated to map out the mobility of water molecules during storage. The objective of this work is to illustrate the possibilities of MRI for characterizing water mobility in bread and cheese binary system. The behavior of water in cheese diffuse to bread during storage is observed in the same temperature range.
Linear Cases, MC- and MC2-Simplex Methods

We shall discuss some interesting properties of N-points when X is a polyhedron and the constant dominated cone is also polyhedral in Section 8.1. A multiple-criteria (MC) simplex method is then described in Section 8.2 to facilitate the location of N-points. Identification of optimal weights for each nondominated extreme point is also discussed. In Section 8.3 we shall discuss a method to generate all N-points using known extreme N-points. As a natural extension of MC simplex methods, a multiple-criteria and multiple-constraint level (MC2) simplex method is then described in Section 8.4. Potential solutions and duality theory of MC- and MC2-simplex are then discussed. MC- and MC2-simplex methods have been extensively studied by Gal (see Ref. 155) in the context of sensitivity analysis of linear programming problems. Here we use them as tools for locating N-points as well as formulating solution concepts. Note that throughout this chapter we focus on constant dominated cone structures for N-points, unless otherwise specified.
Neighborhoods by Assessment: An Analysis of Non-Ad Valorem Financing In California

Non-ad valorem assessments on property are a fiscal innovation born from financial stress. Unable to raise property taxes due to limitations, many localities have turned to these charges as an alternative method to fund local services. In this paper, we seek to explain differential levels of non-ad valorem assessment financing through the analysis of property tax records of a large and diverse set of single family homes in California. We theorize that assessments, as opposed to other forms of taxation, will be used when residents hold anti-redistributive preferences. We show that assessment financing is most common in cities with high median household incomes and greater ethnic diversity. We also show that certain types of assessments, those with narrow geographic range, are frequently levied on expensive homes in poorer communities. We argue that this new form of financing exacerbates economic inequality by creating additional inequities in public service provisions.
Chimpanzee seed dispersal in a montane forest fragment in Rwanda.

Primate seed dispersal plays an important role in forest regeneration. It may be particularly important to anthropogenically disturbed habitats such as forest fragments. However, few studies have examined primate seed dispersal in these types of environments. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are frugivorous and large-bodied, and are therefore able to disperse both large and small seeds, making them an important seed dispersal species. We examined chimpanzee seed dispersal in Gishwati forest, a 14 km2 montane rainforest fragment in Rwanda. We systematically collected ≤24-hr-old fecal samples and counted the number of seeds of each fruit species. We also recorded observations of seeds found in wadges. We found that chimpanzees dispersed at least 18 fruit species in 14 families in their feces. Ninety-five percent of feces had seeds, the most common of which were Ficus spp., Myrianthus holstii, and Maesa lanceolata. We estimated that the Gishwati chimpanzee community with a density of 1.7 individuals per km2 dispersed an average of 592 (>2 mm) seeds km−2 day−1. We also found that chimpanzees dispersed the seeds of at least two fruit species, Ficus spp. and Chrysophyllum gorungosanum, in their wadges. In addition, 17% of the tree species recorded in our vegetation plots were chimpanzee-dispersed. This study emphasizes the importance of chimpanzees as large seed dispersers in regenerating forest fragments. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Chimpanzees in Gishwati disperse a significant number of large seeds. Large-bodied seed dispersers, like chimpanzees, are particularly important in regenerating forest fragments.
Hemoglobin A1c and Mortality in Older Adults With and Without Diabetes: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1988–2011)

OBJECTIVE Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level has been associated with increased mortality in middle-aged populations. The optimal intensity of glucose control in older adults with diabetes remains uncertain. We sought to estimate the risk of mortality by HbA1c levels among older adults with and without diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed data from adults aged ≥65 years (n = 7,333) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) (1998–1994) and Continuous NHANES (1999–2004) and their linked mortality data (through December 2011). Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the relationship of HbA1c with the risk of all-cause and cause-specific (cardiovascular disease [CVD], cancer, and non-CVD/noncancer) mortality, separately for adults with diabetes and without diabetes. RESULTS Over a median follow-up of 8.9 years, 4,729 participants died (1,262 from CVD, 850 from cancer, and 2,617 from non-CVD/noncancer causes). Compared with those with diagnosed diabetes and an HbA1c 8.0%. HRs were 1.6 (95% CI 1.02, 2.6) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.3, 2.6) for HbA1c 8.0–8.9% and ≥9.0%, respectively (P for trend 6.5% had a 1.3 (95% CI 1.03, 1.8) times greater risk of all-cause mortality compared with participants without diabetes and HbA1c 5.0–5.6%. CONCLUSIONS An HbA1c >8.0% was associated with increased risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older adults with diabetes. Our results support the idea that better glycemic control is important for reducing mortality; however, in light of the conflicting evidence base, there is also a need for individualized glycemic targets for older adults with diabetes depending on their demographics, duration of diabetes, and existing comorbidities.
Long-term stability of RNA from FFPE brian tissue post-sectioning on slides.

e22142 Background: Analysis of nucleic acids (NA) from formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue can provide detailed information about gene sequence mutational status, which may be important ...
Optimal Protocols for Remote Entanglement Generation

We study optimal distribution of entanglement from a control-theoretic standpoint. We derive several quantum feedback protocols for remote Bell state preparation and prove that they are globally optimal. Information-theoretic bounds are also derived and applied.
Morphology controls the thermoelectric power factor of a doped semiconducting polymer

The electrical performance of doped semiconducting polymers is strongly governed by processing methods and underlying thin-film microstructure. We report on the influence of different doping methods (solution versus vapor) on the thermoelectric power factor (PF) of PBTTT molecularly p-doped with F n TCNQ (n = 2 or 4). The vapor-doped films have more than two orders of magnitude higher electronic conductivity (σ) relative to solution-doped films. On the basis of resonant soft x-ray scattering, vapor-doped samples are shown to have a large orientational correlation length (OCL) (that is, length scale of aligned backbones) that correlates to a high apparent charge carrier mobility (μ). The Seebeck coefficient (α) is largely independent of OCL. This reveals that, unlike σ, leveraging strategies to improve μ have a smaller impact on α. Our best-performing sample with the largest OCL, vapor-doped PBTTT:F4TCNQ thin film, has a σ of 670 S/cm and an α of 42 μV/K, which translates to a large PF of 120 μW m-1 K-2. In addition, despite the unfavorable offset for charge transfer, doping by F2TCNQ also leads to a large PF of 70 μW m-1 K-2, which reveals the potential utility of weak molecular dopants. Overall, our work introduces important general processing guidelines for the continued development of doped semiconducting polymers for thermoelectrics.
Realtionships between Fiancial and Learning and Growth Perspectives in BSC

Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is one of the methods for measuring of the company's performance, strategy formulation and subsequent management leading to improving competitiveness. Nowadays company performance has an important role because the competitive environment is much more changeable and more difficult to predict because of the influence of globalization.BSC is worldwide used both in large, medium and small businesses regardless of the field of business. According to Knapkova, Homolka and Pavelkova (2014), this model is used only by 13 % of the enterprises in the Czech Republic.BSC monitors business performance from four perspectives: Financial, Customer, Internal Process, Learning and Growth. The main aim of this paper is to verify whether there is a correlation between Learning and Growth and Financial perspective. Data were obtained from the database Albertina Gold and from quantitative research in companies in 2015. As sample small and medium enterprises in Czech Republic were chosen by random selection. Data were analysed by using regression analysis. Based on the analysis the dependence of some financial indicators on the attitude of the company to the risk and on long-term or short-term orientation was proved.BSC is spread in 30-50 % companies all over the word, in Australia this method is used even in 88 % companies (Al Sawalqa, Holloway and Alam, 2011). Due to proven dependence it would be appropriate to raise Czech companies' awareness of advantages of this method.
Trends in out-of-pocket healthcare costs among older community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries.

Objective To describe trends in out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including insurance premiums, for older Medicare beneficiaries living in the community. Study design Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data were analyzed for community-dwelling beneficiaries 65 years or older between 1992 and 2004. Methods The primary focus of the analysis was out-of-pocket healthcare costs and out-of-pocket costs as a percentage of income. Descriptive statistics are presented for 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. Results Inflation-adjusted median out-of-pocket costs were stable between 1992 and 2000 and then rose by 21.7% between 2000 and 2004. Median costs as a percentage of income declined between 1992 and 1996 but increased from 12.6% in 2000 to 15.5% in 2004. Between 1992 and 2004, out-of-pocket costs increased fastest at the upper percentiles of the distribution. High out-of-pocket costs tended to persist from year to year, exacerbating the financial burden for some beneficiaries. Conclusions Following a period of declining burden between 1992 and 1996, out-of-pocket healthcare costs rose significantly between 2000 and 2004, increasing the financial burden for many older Medicare beneficiaries. These data provide a baseline for evaluating Medicare reform proposals that affect beneficiary spending.