Regulation of protumorigenic pathways by Insulin like growth factor binding protein2 and its association along with beta-catenin in breast cancer lymph node metastasis

Background: Insulin like growth factor binding proteins modulate the mitogenic and pro survival effects of IGF. Elevated expression of IGFBP2 is associated with progression of tumors that include prostate, ovarian, glioma among others. Though implicated in the progression of breast cancer, the molecular mechanisms involved in IGFBP2 actions are not well defined. This study investigates the molecular targets and biological pathways targeted by IGFBP2 in breast cancer. Methods: Transcriptome analysis of breast tumor cells (BT474) with stable knockdown of IGFBP2 and breast tumors having differential expression of IGFBP2 by immunohistochemistry was performed using microarray. Differential gene expression was established using R-Bioconductor package. For validation, gene expression was determined by qPCR. Inhibitors of IGF1R and integrin pathway were utilized to study the mechanism of regulation of beta-catenin. Immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical staining was performed on breast tumors and experimental cells, respectively for beta-catenin and IGFBP2 expression. Results: Knockdown of IGFBP2 resulted in differential expression of 2067 up regulated and 2002 down regulated genes in breast cancer cells. Down regulated genes principally belong to cell cycle, DNA replication, repair, p53 signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, Wnt signaling. Whole genome expression analysis of breast tumors with or without IGFBP2 expression indicated changes in genes belonging to Focal adhesion, Map kinase and Wnt signaling pathways. Interestingly, IGFBP2 knockdown clones showed reduced expression of beta-catenin compared to control cells which was restored upon IGFBP2 re-expression. The regulation of beta-catenin by IGFBP2 was found to be IGF1R and integrin pathway dependent. Furthermore, IGFBP2 and beta-catenin are co-ordinately overexpressed in breast tumors and correlate with lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: This study highlights regulation of beta-catenin by IGFBP2 in breast cancer cells and most importantly, combined expression of IGFBP2 and beta-catenin is associated with lymph node metastasis of breast tumors.

Low temperature combustion synthesis and magnetostructural properties of Co-Mn nanoferrites

In the present work, Co1-xMnxFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by the low-temperature auto-combustion method. The thermal decomposition process was investigated by means of differential and thermal gravimetric analysis (TG-DTA) that showed the precursor yield the final product above 450 degrees C. The phase purity and crystal lattice symmetry were estimated from X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructural features observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrates that the fine clustered particles were formed with an increase in average grain size with Mn2+ content. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study confirms the formation of spinel ferrite. Room temperature magnetization measurements showed that the magnetization M-s increases from 29 to 60 emu/g and H-c increases from 13 to 28 Oe with increase in Mn2+ content, which implies that these materials may be applicable for magnetic data storage and recording media. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of pH on structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Y3Fe5O12 by aqueous co-precipitation method

The Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) nanopowders were synthesised at different pH using co-precipitation method. The effect of pH on the phase formation of YIG is characterised using XRD, TEM, FTIR and TG/DTA. From the Scherer formula, the particle sizes of the powders were found to be 13, 19 and 28 nm for pH=10, 11 and 12 respectively. It is found that as the pH of the solution increase the particle size is also increases. It is also clear from the TG/DTA curves that as the pH is increasing the weight losses were found to be small. The nanopowders were sintered at 600, 700, 800 and 900 degrees C for 5 h using conventional sintering method. The phase formation is completed at 800 degrees C/5 h which is correlated with TG/DTA. The average grain size of the samples is found to be similar to 161 nm. The high values of M-s=23 emu g(-1) and H-c=22 Oe were recorded for the sample sintered at 900 degrees C.

Features in visual search combine linearly

Single features such as line orientation and length are known to guide visual search, but relatively little is known about how multiple features combine in search. To address this question, we investigated how search for targets differing in multiple features ( intensity, length, orientation) from the distracters is related to searches for targets differing in each of the individual features. We tested race models (based on reaction times) and coactivation models ( based on reciprocal of reaction times) for their ability to predict multiple feature searches. Multiple feature searches were best accounted for by a co-activation model in which feature information combined linearly (r = 0.95). This result agrees with the classic finding that these features are separable i.e., subjective dissimilarity ratings sum linearly. We then replicated the classical finding that the length and width of a rectangle are integral features-in other words, they combine nonlinearly in visual search. However, to our surprise, upon including aspect ratio as an additional feature, length and width combined linearly and this model outperformed all other models. Thus, length and width of a rectangle became separable when considered together with aspect ratio. This finding predicts that searches involving shapes with identical aspect ratio should be more difficult than searches where shapes differ in aspect ratio. We confirmed this prediction on a variety of shapes. We conclude that features in visual search co-activate linearly and demonstrate for the first time that aspect ratio is a novel feature that guides visual search.

Metal-metal charge transfer and interfacial charge transfer mechanism for the visible light photocatalytic activity of cerium and nitrogen co-doped TiO2

Nanosized cerium and nitrogen co-doped TiO2 (Ce-TiO2-xNx) was synthesized by sol gel method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FESEM, Fourier transform infrared, N-2 adsorption and desorption methods, photoluminescence and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) DRS techniques. PXRD analysis shows the dopant decreases the crystallite sizes and slows the crystallization of the titania matrix. XPS confirm the existence of cerium ion in +3 or +4 state, and nitrogen in -3 state in Ce-TiO2-xNx. The modified surface of TiO2 provides highly active sites for the dyes at the periphery of the Ce-O-Ti interface and also inhibits Ce particles from sintering. UV-visible DRS studies show that the metal-metal charge transfer (MMCT) of Ti/Ce assembly (Ti4+/Ce3+ -> Ti3+/Ce4+) is responsible for the visible light photocatalytic activity. Photoluminescence was used to determine the effect of cerium ion on the electron-hole pair separation between the two interfaces Ce-TiO2-xNx and Ce2O3. This separation increases with the increase of cerium and nitrogen ion concentrations of doped samples. The degradation kinetics of methylene blue and methyl violet dyes in the presence of sol gel TiO2, Ce-TiO2-xNx and commercial Degussa P25 was determined. The higher visible light activity of Ce-TiO2-xNx was due to the participation of MMCT and interfacial charge transfer mechanism.

Synthesis and characterization of Ag-Co-Ni nanowires

This work provides an electrodeposition-based methodology for synthesizing multicomponent nanowires containing Ag, Co and Ni atoms. Nanowire morphology was obtained by using an anodic alumina membrane with cylindrical pores of similar to 200-nm diameter. Structural, compositional and magnetic characterization revealed that the as-synthesized nanowires adopted a core-shell microstructure. The core (axial region) contained pure Ag phase volumes with a plate-like morphology oriented perpendicular to the nanowire axis. The shell (peripheral region) contained pure Ag nanoparticles along with superparamagnetic Co and Ni rich clusters.

Physical Layer Data Fusion Via Distributed Co-Phasing With General Signal Constellations

This paper studies a pilot-assisted physical layer data fusion technique known as Distributed Co-Phasing (DCP). In this two-phase scheme, the sensors first estimate the channel to the fusion center (FC) using pilots sent by the latter; and then they simultaneously transmit their common data by pre-rotating them by the estimated channel phase, thereby achieving physical layer data fusion. First, by analyzing the symmetric mutual information of the system, it is shown that the use of higher order constellations (HOC) can improve the throughput of DCP compared to the binary signaling considered heretofore. Using an HOC in the DCP setting requires the estimation of the composite DCP channel at the FC for data decoding. To this end, two blind algorithms are proposed: 1) power method, and 2) modified K-means algorithm. The latter algorithm is shown to be computationally efficient and converges significantly faster than the conventional K-means algorithm. Analytical expressions for the probability of error are derived, and it is found that even at moderate to low SNRs, the modified K-means algorithm achieves a probability of error comparable to that achievable with a perfect channel estimate at the FC, while requiring no pilot symbols to be transmitted from the sensor nodes. Also, the problem of signal corruption due to imperfect DCP is investigated, and constellation shaping to minimize the probability of signal corruption is proposed and analyzed. The analysis is validated, and the promising performance of DCP for energy-efficient physical layer data fusion is illustrated, using Monte Carlo simulations.

ABSOLUTE/CONVECTIVE INSTABILITY TRANSITION IN A BACKWARD FACING STEP COMBUSTOR: FUNDAMENTAL MECHANISM AND INFLUENCE OF DENSITY GRADIENT

Hydrodynamic instabilities of the flow field in lean premixed gas turbine combustors can generate velocity perturbations that wrinkle and distort the flame sheet over length scales that are smaller than the flame length. The resultant heat release oscillations can then potentially result in combustion instability. Thus, it is essential to understand the hydrodynamic instability characteristics of the combustor flow field in order to understand its overall influence on combustion instability characteristics. To this end, this paper elucidates the role of fluctuating vorticity production from a linear hydrodynamic stability analysis as the key mechanism promoting absolute/convective instability transitions in shear layers occurring in the flow behind a backward facing step. These results are obtained within the framework of an inviscid, incompressible, local temporal and spatio-temporal stability analysis. Vorticity fluctuations in this limit result from interaction between two competing mechanisms - (1) production from interaction between velocity perturbations and the base flow vorticity gradient and (2) baroclinic torque in the presence of base flow density gradients. This interaction has a significant effect on hydrodynamic instability characteristics when the base flow density and velocity gradients are co-located. Regions in the space of parameters characterizing the base flow velocity profile, i.e. shear layer thickness and ratio of forward to reverse flow velocity, corresponding to convective and absolute instability are identified. The implications of the present results on prior observations of flow instability in other flows such as heated jets and bluff-body stabilized flames is discussed.

Room temperature ferromagnetism and white light emissive CdS:Cr nanoparticles synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method

Undoped and Cr (3% and 5%) doped CdS nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. The synthesized nanocrystalline particles are characterized by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL), Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Raman spectroscopy. XRD studies indicate that Cr doping in host CdS result a structural change from Cubic phase to mixed (cubic + hexagonal) phase. Due to quantum confinement effect, widening of the band gap is observed for undoped and Cr doped CdS nanoparticles compared to bulk CdS. The average particle size calculated from band gap values is in good agreement with the TEM study calculation and it is around 4-5 nm. A strong violet emission band consisting of two emission peaks is observed for undoped CdS nanoparticles, whereas for CdS:Cr nanoparticles, a broad emission band ranging from 420 nm to 730 nm with a maximum at similar to 587 nm is observed. The broad emission band is due to the overlapped emissions from variety of defects. EPR spectra of CdS:Cr samples reveal resonance signal at g = 2.143 corresponding to interacting Cr3+ ions. VSM studies indicate that the diamagnetic CdS nanoparticles are transform to ferromagnetic for 3% Cr3+ doping and the ferromagnetic nature is diminished with increasing the doping concentration to 5%. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Amorphous Tb-Dy-Fe-Co Thin Films

This paper reports the effect of film thickness (50, 200, 400 and 800 nm) on the structural and magnetic properties of amorphous Tb-Dy-Fe-Co alloy thin films. All the films are found to exhibit perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) irrespective of the film thickness. The PMA is found to decrease with increase in film thickness due to the decrease in the magnetic texture and anisotropy energy. While the coercivity deduced from the out-of-plane magnetization curve increases with increasing film thickness, the in-plane coercivity exhibits weak thickness dependence. The irreversibility point in the thermo-magnetic curves obtained from field-cooled and zero-field-cooled measurements along the out-of-plane direction is found to shift towards higher temperature compared to the measurements in in-plane directions, indicating the presence of strong PMA.

La fiscalidad de las cooperativas. Un modelo que fortalece los fondos propios

[ES] Las cooperativas son un modelo de empresa que tiene unas características particulares, entre las que destacan la distribución y el ejercicio del poder, la manera particular de distribución de resultados, la existencia de unos fondos obligatorios, la autoregulación del régimen de trabajo, el procedimiento de atribución de fondos económicos en el momento de la baja de un socio, y la participación de los asalariados en los resultados económicos positivos.

Sociedades Cooperativas. Aspectos Contables Singulares

[ES] Las sociedades cooperativas han visto recientemente reforzada su normativa contable con la aprobación de la ORDEN ECO/3614/2003 que tiene por objeto la adaptación de las Normas de valoración y elaboración de cuentas anuales aprobada en el Plan General de Contabilidad a las características de estas entidades.

Re-emphasizing the importance of Lake Chad fisheries in Nigerian economy: Borno State experience

Nigeria with an estimated population of about 120 million people requires about 2.3 million metric tonnes of fish and fisheries product for good health at the recommended 19 kg/caput/year by FAO. Lake Chad fisheries resource of Borno State is a blessing in disguise to the Nigerian economy. It has potential to produce over 300,000 metric tonnes of fish protein annually, representing about 12.2% of the total fish demand of Nigerians. In spite of this laudable potential Lake Chad fisheries resources of Borno State declined in the past two decades due, largely, to lack of/or inadequate attention by the government, private and commercial organization, lack of social economics and infra-structural facilities for rational exploitations and management of its resources. This paper re-emphasizes the importance of Lake Chad Fisheries of Borno State in the Nigerian economy. The fisheries resources, the environment, the exploitation, the potential marketing, the role of law enforcement and foreign agencies, the constraints and potentials are discussed. Nigeria can derive a substantial proportion of its fish demand from Lake Chad fisheries of Borno State alone just with the adoption of some proffered strategies including combined efforts of the private and public sectors in the rational management of the fisheries resource of Lake Chad