The Trace Element Selenium Is Important for Redox Signaling in Phorbol Ester-Differentiated THP-1 Macrophages

Physiological selenium (Se) levels counteract excessive inflammation, with selenoproteins shaping the immunoregulatory cytokine and lipid mediator profile. How exactly differentiation of monocytes into macrophages influences the expression of the selenoproteome in concert with the Se supply remains obscure. THP-1 monocytes were differentiated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) into macrophages and (i) the expression of selenoproteins, (ii) differentiation markers, (iii) the activity of NF-κB and NRF2, as well as (iv) lipid mediator profiles were analyzed. Se and differentiation affected the expression of selenoproteins in a heterogeneous manner. GPX4 expression was substantially decreased during differentiation, whereas GPX1 was not affected. Moreover, Se increased the expression of selenoproteins H and F, which was further enhanced by differentiation for selenoprotein F and diminished for selenoprotein H. Notably, LPS-induced expression of NF-κB target genes was facilitated by Se, as was the release of COX- and LOX-derived lipid mediators and substrates required for lipid mediator biosynthesis. This included TXB₂, TXB₃, 15-HETE, and 12-HEPE, as well as arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Our results indicate that Se enables macrophages to accurately adjust redox-dependent signaling and thereby modulate downstream lipid mediator profiles.     

Synthese fluorhaltiger Polycarbosilane

Synthesis of Fluorinated Polycarbosilanes Fluorine containing polycarbosilanes could be obtained by the reaction of the completely halogenated compounds poly(dichlorocarbosilane) and poly(dibromocarbosilane) with fluorinating agents like ZnF₂, KHF₂, SbF₃, NH₄F, NH₄HF₂, HF and LiF. The most successfully applied fluorinating agent was LiF. The substitution reaction of LiF yielded a fluoropolycarbosilane with a fluorine content of more than 30 weight per cent. This fluorinated compound D-PFC with a high hydrolitic resistance was analytically and spectroscopically investigated.     

Impact of Musashi-1 and Musashi-2 Double Knockdown on Notch Signaling and the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

The stem cell marker and RNA-binding protein Musashi-1 is overexpressed in endometriosis. Musashi-1-siRNA knockdown in Ishikawa cells altered the expression of stem cell related genes, such as OCT-4. To investigate the role of both human Musashi homologues (MSI-1 and MSI-2) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, immortalized endometriotic 12-Z cells and primary endometriotic stroma cells were treated with Musashi-1- and Musashi-2-siRNA. Subsequently, the impact on cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, cell necrosis, spheroid formation, stem cell phenotype and the Notch signaling pathway was studied in vitro. Using the ENDOMET Turku Endometriosis database, the gene expression of stem cell markers and Notch signaling pathway constituents were analyzed according to localization of the endometriosis lesions. The database analysis demonstrated that expression of Musashi and Notch pathway-related genes are dysregulated in patients with endometriosis. Musashi-1/2-double-knockdown increased apoptosis and necrosis and reduced stem cell gene expression, cell proliferation, and the formation of spheroids. Musashi silencing increased the expression of the anti-proliferation mediator p21. Our findings suggest the therapeutic potential of targeting the Musashi–Notch axis. We conclude that the Musashi genes have an impact on Notch signaling and the pathogenesis of endometriosis through the downregulation of proliferation, stemness characteristics and the upregulation of apoptosis, necrosis and of the cell cycle regulator p21.     

Contribution of beef consumption to nutrient intake, diet quality, and food patterns in the diets of the US population

This study examined the association between the nutrient contribution of beef, in its lowest and highest fat forms, and diet quality and food patterns in individuals 4+ years of age. Beef consumers were categorized into three groups (lowest lean/highest fat [LLHF]; middle lean/middle fat content; and highest lean/lowest fat [HLLF]) based on the lean and fat content of beef consumed. Compared to non-beef consumers, HLLF consumers had higher intakes of vitamins B₆ and B₁₂, iron, zinc, and potassium. Non-beef consumers had higher intakes of thiamin, folate, calcium, and magnesium than HLLF beef consumers. The HLLF group had significantly higher intakes of vitamins A, C, B₆, and B₁₂; niacin; phosphorus; magnesium; iron; zinc; and potassium, protein and lower intakes of total energy; total fat; SFA; MUFA; total carbohydrates. There was no difference in diet quality between HLLF beef consumers and non-beef consumers. Moderate consumption of lean beef contributes to intakes of selected nutrients and diet quality was similar to non-beef consumers.     

Wastewater treatment plant and landfills as sources of polyfluoroalkyl compounds to the atmosphere

Polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) were determined in air around a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and two landfill sites using sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam (SIP) disk passive air samplers in summer 2009. The samples were analyzed for five PFC classes (i.e., fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs), sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs), perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs), and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs)) to investigate their concentration in air, composition and emissions to the atmosphere. ∑PFC concentrations in air were 3-15 times higher within the WWTP (2280-24?040 pg/m(3)) and 5-30 times higher at the landfill sites (2780-26?430 pg/m(3)) compared to the reference sites (597-1600 pg/m3). Variations in the PFC pattern were observed between the WWTP and landfill sites and even within the WWTP site. For example, FTOHs were the predominant PFC class in air for all WWTP and landfill sites, with 6:2 FTOH as the dominant compound at the WWTP (895-12?290 pg/m(3)) and 8:2 FTOH dominating at the landfill sites (1290-17?380 pg/m(3)). Furthermore, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was dominant within the WWTP (43-171 pg/m(3)), followed by perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) (55-116 pg/m(3)), while PFBA was dominant at the landfill sites (101-102 pg/m(3)). It is also noteworthy that the PFCA concentrations decreased with increasing chain length and that the emissions for the even chain length PFCAs outweighed emissions for the odd chain length compounds. Furthermore, highly elevated PFC concentrations were found near the aeration tanks compared to the other tanks (i.e., primary and secondary clarifier) and likely associated with increased volatilization during aeration that may be further enhanced through aqueous aerosol-mediated transport. ∑PFC yearly emissions estimated using a simplified dispersion model were 2560 g/year for the WWTP, 99 g/year for landfill site 1, and 1000 g/year for landfill site 2. These results highlight the important role of WWTPs and landfills as emission sources of PFCs to the atmosphere.     

Modeling,analysis and control system development for the Italian hydrogen house

This paper provides an analysis of the “Hydrogen from the Sun” project at the “Ecological House” in northern Italy. The modeling and analysis work is being performed in conjunction with the International Energy Agency Hydrogen Implementing Agreement Annex 18: Integrated Systems Evaluation. A customized library of Matlab/Simulink component models is used to simulate the system and evaluate the hydrogen economics and energy production efficiencies. Two control algorithms are developed for the house using a fuzzy logic and an adaptive control strategy. The economic and steady state effects of these two strategies are compared as are the energy sources used to supply the energy demand of the house. The hydrogen production system consists of an electrolyzer, a photo-voltaic collector, and a battery, linked to both a metal hydride and high pressure gas storage system. The hydrogen supplies a fuel cell, which powers a residential estate. The analysis shows the contribution of the different system components to the overall efficiency and cost of hydrogen. However, the control systems presented also have a significant effect on the hydrogen and electricity cost. Reduction of these costs and an increase in system efficiency require optimal use of the hydrogen stored, as well as the optimized distribution of power supply from the generating components. The analysis shows the initial cost of hydrogen to be 9.36 $/kg, with electricity produced at 0.65 $/kWh using a fuzzy logic control system at an electrical efficiency of 50% (of the full hydrogen house system), based on the lower heating value of hydrogen. The result of using an active control strategy is presented.     

Environmental and economic effects of post-Kyoto carbon regimes: Results of simulations with the global model GINFORS

Using the extensive and disaggregated global GINFORS model, consequences of different possible post-Kyoto regimes on the German and European economy and other major economies in the medium run until 2020 are depicted. The approach is very extensive and detailed in comparison to already existing analyses: this holds for the number of explicitly modelled countries (50 and 2 regions) and 41 economic sectors, input–output tables, the bilateral trade flows, the detailed coverage of behavioural parameters, the coverage of energy balances and CO₂ emissions as well as for the number and precise economic-political design of simulation runs.     

Assessment of variables affecting choice and application to classroom interventions.

Reports the results of a brief, computer-based assessment of reinforcer dimensions affecting choice and the application of information yielded by the assessment in informing interventions for classroom disruptions of 2 students (aged 10 & 11 yrs) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The assessment involved successive presentations of 2 concurrent sets of math problem options, each of which was associated with competing reinforcer or response dimensions (reinforcer rate, quality, delay, and response effort) in a counterbalanced fashion. The results showed that choice (time allocated problems within each set) was differentially affected by the reinforcer or response dimensions. The authors then investigated the effectiveness of interventions informed by the assessment in reducing the students' classroom disruptions. Following baseline, levels of the reinforcer dimension shown by the assessment to be most influential were alternated in the context of a reversal design. For 1 student, the authors evaluated the effects of immediate versus delayed access to reinforcers contingent on not exceeding a specified number of daily disruptions. For the other student, they evaluated the effects of high quality versus low quality reinforcers on the rate of disruptions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF THE THERMAL AND TRIBOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CUTTING FLUID

The use of cutting fluids in industrial machining is widespread, while scientific research of the performance of cutting fluids lags behind. While much has been documented about the beneficial mechanisms of tool-chip lubricity and heat transfer from varying fluid types and applications, an accurate, flexible, and expedient method for investigating cutting fluid performance lies beyond the scope of modern experimental methods. This paper proposes an experimental system and methodology that aims to simultaneously quantify the effectiveness of cutting fluid in thermal (cooling characteristics) and mechanical (frictional effects) terms. The system acquires cutting force measurements with a piezoelectric tool post dynamometer to gauge the mechanical effectiveness of the cutting fluid through the variation in friction coefficient. Thermal effectiveness is examined by comparison of thermal images of the tool flank face obtained through the use of full-field infrared imaging and a point temperature obtained from a single type-K microthermocouple embedded below the insert rake face. The system's uniqueness lies both in its ability to obtain simultaneous and real-time mechanical and thermal data, and in its application of infrared imaging technology to metal cutting in the presence of cutting fluid. Proof of concept testing was done by examining orthogonal end-turning of Al 6061-T6 with both high speed steel and carbide inserts with and without overhead application of a hybrid cutting fluid over a range of cutting conditions.     

Marketing and operations research – a literature survey Marketing und Operations Research – Eine Literaturübersicht

Over the last decades the quantitative research based on Operations Research and Management Science (OR/MS) approaches has become one of the leading research paradigms in marketing. The aim of this article is, to give the reader of this special issue an overview of recent publications in OR/MS based marketing research. Its basis is a literature review of quantitative marketing publications with OR/MS orientation in the leading journals of marketing and management. The review reveals general differences in the quantity of the publications and the domain of research between those journals published in English and those in German. The review also provides an overview of research publications during the recent years and shows possible future trends in quantitative marketing research.