Model independent analysis of top quark forward-backward asymmetry at the Tevatron up to \mathcal{O}(\as^2/\Lambda^2)

We present the complete calculations of the forward-backward asymmetry ($A_{\rm FB}$) and the total cross section of top quark pair production induced by dimension-six four quark operators at the Tevatron up to \mathcal{O}(\as^2/\Lambda^2). Our results show that next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD corrections can change $A_{\rm FB}$ and the total cross section by about 10%. Moreover, NLO QCD corrections reduce the dependence of $A_{\rm FB}$ and total cross section on the renormalization and factorization scales significantly. We also evaluate the total cross section and the charge asymmetry ($A_{\rm C}$) induced by these operators at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) up to \mathcal{O}(\as^2/\Lambda^2), for the parameter space allowed by the Tevatron data. We find that the value of $A_{\rm C}$ induced by these operators is much larger than SM prediction, and LHC has potential to discover these NP effects when the measurement precision increases.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures; final version in PR

Cancer-Stimulated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Create a Carcinoma Stem Cell Niche via Prostaglandin E

Mesenchymal cells of the tumor-associated stroma are critical determinants of carcinoma cell behavior. We focus here on interactions of carcinoma cells with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which are recruited to the tumor stroma and, once present, are able to influence the phenotype of the carcinoma cells. We find that carcinoma cell–derived interleukin-1 (IL-1) induces prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂) secretion by MSCs. The resulting PGE₂ operates in an autocrine manner, cooperating with ongoing paracrine IL-1 signaling, to induce expression of a group of cytokines by the MSCs. The PGE₂ and cytokines then proceed to act in a paracrine fashion on the carcinoma cells to induce activation of β-catenin signaling and formation of cancer stem cells. These observations indicate that MSCs and derived cell types create a cancer stem cell niche to enable tumor progression via release of PGE₂ and cytokines. SIGNIFICANCE: Although PGE₂ has been implicated time and again in fostering tumorigenesis, its effects on carcinoma cells that contribute specifically to tumor formation are poorly understood. Here we show that tumor cells are able to elicit a strong induction of the COX-2/microsomal prostaglandin-E synthase-1 (mPGES-1)/PGE₂ axis in MSCs recruited to the tumor-associated stroma by releasing IL-1, which in turn elicits a mesenchymal/stem cell–like phenotype in the carcinoma cells.Breast Cancer Research FoundationNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (U54CA163109)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ludwig Center for Cancer Researc

The State-of-the-Art Practices of the Internet Banking in Taiwan

This paper reports an investigation into the state-of-the-art practices of Internet banking in Taiwan. Emphasis is focused on the adoption of security technology. Three kinds of security utilities—SSL, SET, and Non-SET—are compared in terms of risks and supported functions. The author also analyzes factors that influence the development of Internet banking. The Ministry of Finance of the Taiwanese government has adopted a policy that fosters the development of Internet banking. However, understanding security technologies demands in-depth expert knowledge, and goes beyond the capacity of general citizens. The authors suggest that the first priority is given to the authority’s promulgation of laws and guidelines. Second, the banking industry needs to integrate the security mechanisms of Internet banking services with the existing environment. Finally, a risk allotment policy would help to remove fear and doubt from customer’s minds

Effects of an acute bout of light-intensity walking on sleep in older women with sleep impairment: A randomized controlled trial

Study objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of a single bout of light-intensity walking on sleep in older women with mild sleep impairment. Methods: A total of 40 women aged 55 years or above with mild sleep impairment were randomized to either a treadmill-walking session for 50 mins or a quiet-rest control. All participants completed the study (mean age: 60.4±4.7). Sleep quality was assessed by ActiGraph for 2 nights before (pre-test) and 2 nights after exercise (post-test). A mixed-design analysis of variance was used with group as the between-subjects factor and time point as the within-subjects factor. Results: No significant group difference on demographic variables, body mass index, physical and mental status, and eight sleep parameters were observed at baseline. Significant group-time interactions existed for sleep latency (p<0.001) and sleep efficiency (p=0.025). After the intervention, the walking group reduced sleep latency by 3.3 minutes (p=0.001) and also had greater sleep efficiency (increase 3.8%, p=0.008), but no significant change was found in the control group. No significant group-time interactions were present for the other six sleep parameters (activity counts, total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, number and length of awakenings, or time in bed). Conclusion: A single session of light-intensity walking led to a modest reduction in sleep latency and improvement of sleep efficiency in older women with mild sleep impairment

Substantial Contribution of SmeDEF, SmeVWX, SmQnr, and Heat Shock Response to Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging multi-drug resistant opportunistic pathogen. Although fluoroquinolones (FQ) are still clinically valuable for the treatment of S. maltophilia infection, an increasing prevalence in FQ resistance has been reported. Overexpression of SmeDEF, SmeVWX, and SmQnr, and de-repressed expression of heat shock response are reported mechanisms responsible for FQ resistance in S. maltophilia; nevertheless, some of these mechanisms are identified from laboratory-constructed mutants, and it remains unclear whether they occur in clinical setting. In this study, we aimed to assess whether these mechanisms contribute substantially to FQ resistance in clinical isolates. Eighteen ciprofloxacin- and levofloxacin-resistant isolates were selected from 125 clinical isolates of S. maltophilia. The expression of smeE, smeW, and Smqnr genes of these isolates was investigated by RT-qPCR. The de-repressed heat shock response was assessed by rpoE expression at 37°C and bacterial viability at 40°C. The contribution of SmeDEF, SmeVWX, and SmQnr, and heat shock response to FQ resistance was evaluated by mutants construction and susceptibility testing. The results demonstrated that simply assessing the overexpression of SmeDEF, SmeVWX, and SmQnr by RT-qPCR may overestimate their contribution to FQ resistance. Simultaneous overexpression of SmeDEF and SmeVWX did not increase the resistance level to their common substrates, but extended the resistance spectrum. Moreover, the de-repressed expression of heat shock response was not observed to contribute to FQ resistance in the clinical isolates of S. maltophilia

Raw Garlic Consumption and Risk of Liver Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Eastern China.

Although the major risk factors for liver cancer have been established, preventive factors for liver cancer have not been fully explored. We evaluated the association between raw garlic consumption and liver cancer in a large population-based case-control study in Eastern China. The study was conducted in Jiangsu, China, from 2003 to 2010. A total of 2011 incident liver cancer cases and 7933 randomly selected population-controls were interviewed. Epidemiological data including raw garlic intake and other exposures were collected, and serum markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were assayed. Overall, eating raw garlic twice or more per week was inversely associated with liver cancer, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.77 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62-0.96) compared to those ingesting no raw garlic or less than twice per week. In stratified analyses, high intake of raw garlic was inversely associated with liver cancer among Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative individuals, frequent alcohol drinkers, those having history of eating mold-contaminated food or drinking raw water, and those without family history of liver cancer. Marginal interactions on an additive scale were observed between low raw garlic intake and HBsAg positivity (attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) = 0.31, 95% CI: -0.01-0.62) and heavy alcohol drinking (AP = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.00-0.57). Raw garlic consumption is inversely associated with liver cancer. Such an association shed some light on the potential etiologic role of garlic intake on liver cancer, which in turn might provide a possible dietary intervention to reduce liver cancer in Chinese population

Fingertip‐skin‐inspired highly sensitive and multifunctional sensor with hierarchically structured conductive graphite/polydimethylsiloxane foams

Fingertip skin exhibits high sensitivity in a broad pressure range, and can detect diverse stimuli, including textures, temperature, humidity, etc. Despite adopting diverse microstructures and functional materials, achieving skin sensor devices possessing high pressure sensitivity over a wide linear range and with multifunctional sensing capabilities is still challenging. Herein, inspired by the microstructures of fingertip skin, a highly sensitive skin sensor is demonstrated with a linear response over a broad pressure range and multifunctional sensing capabilities. The porous sensing layer is designed with hierarchical microstructures on the surface. By optimizing the porosity and the graphite concentration, a fabricated skin sensor device exhibits a superior sensitivity of 245 kPa−1 over a broad linear pressure range from 5 Pa to 120 kPa. For practical application demonstrations, the sensor devices are utilized to monitor subtle wrist pulse and diverse human motions including finger bending, wrist bending, and feet movement. Furthermore, this novel sensor device demonstrates potential applications in recognizing textures and detecting environmental temperatures, thereby marking an important progress for constructing advanced electronic skin