Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone Anabolic Effects of Sonic/Indian Hedgehog Are Mediated By BMP-2/4-Dependent Pathways in the Neonatal Rat Metatarsal Model.

A neonatal rat metatarsal organ culture model has been employed to study the anabolic effects of Sonic/Indian hedgehog and BMP-4. In this culture system, a significant increase in endochondral ossification is measured by an increase in length of mineralized bone, after daily treatment for 7 days with Sonic hedgehog protein (Shh-N). Previous evidence indicated that PTH related protein (PTHrP) is a critical target of hedgehog function in endochondral ossification. Using a PTHrP blocking antibody, it is shown that hedgehog mediates this activity via pathways other than through PTHrP. A dose-related increase in endochondral ossification is observed when metatarsals are treated with 25 ng/ml recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4). However, this activity is not evident at higher doses of BMP-4 (200 ng/ml). High doses of BMP-4 resulted in increased expression of noggin messenger RNA and cotreatment of noggin and Shh-N resulted in reversal of the anabolic action of Shh-N. This observation suggests that BMP-4 signaling can influence the Shh-N mediated increase in endochondral ossification. Finally, we show that the Shh-N and BMP-4 mediated increase in endochondral ossification is reversed by treatment with antisense oligonucleotides targeted against Cbfa1. Thus, this report identifies Shh-N as an inducer of endochondral ossification that mediates its effect via BMP-4 and Cbfa1-dependent pathways.
Static compression and equation of state of CaO to 1.35 Mbar

The room temperature static compression of CaO has been measured in a diamond anvil cell to 1.35 Mbar. The compression of the Bl phase and the volume change at the Bl to B2 transition agree with previous diamond cell results. The B2 phase has been observed down to 527 kbar and seems slightly more compressible at room temperature than deduced from shock wave experiments. Eulerian as well as semiempirical equations of state account well for the data and yield similar bulk moduli for both phases as a function of pressure. Equation-of-state parameters are Ko = 1.11 ± 0.01 and 1.3 ± 0.2 Mbar and Ko′ = 4.2 ± 0.2 and 3.5 ± 0.5 for the Bl and B2 phases, respectively, and Vo = 14.8 ± 0.2 cm3/mol for the B2 phase. For a pressure of 550 kbar, at which no data extrapolations are required, one finds K = 3.04 and 2.96 Mbar with K′ values of about 3.0 and 2.5 for the Bl and B2 phases, respectively. Recent theoretical structure calculations predict room temperature compressions in fair agreement with the static results.
Theoretical and empirical scale dependency of Z‐R relationships: Evidence, impacts, and correction

Estimation of rainfall intensities from radar measurements relies to a large extent on power‐laws relationships between rain rates R and radar reflectivities Z, i.e., Z = a*R^b. These relationships are generally applied unawarely of the scale, which is questionable since the nonlinearity of these relations could lead to undesirable discrepancies when combined with scale aggregation. Since the parameters (a,b) are expectedly related with drop size distribution (DSD) properties, they are often derived at disdrometer scale, not at radar scale, which could lead to errors at the latter. We propose to investigate the statistical behavior of Z‐R relationships across scales both on theoretical and empirical sides. Theoretically, it is shown that claimed multifractal properties of rainfall processes could constrain the parameters (a,b) such that the exponent b would be scale independent but the prefactor a would be growing as a (slow) power law of time or space scale. In the empirical part (which may be read independently of theoretical considerations), high‐resolution disdrometer (Dual‐Beam Spectropluviometer) data of rain rates and reflectivity factors are considered at various integration times comprised in the range 15 s – 64 min. A variety of regression techniques is applied on Z‐R scatterplots at all these time scales, establishing empirical evidence of a behavior coherent with theoretical considerations: a grows as a 0.1 power law of scale while b decreases more slightly. The properties of a are suggested to be closely linked to inhomogeneities in the DSDs since extensions of Z‐R relationships involving (here, strongly nonconstant) normalization parameters of the DSDs seem to be more robust across scales. The scale dependence of simple Z = a*R^b relationships is advocated to be a possible source of overestimation of rainfall intensities or accumulations. Several ways for correcting such scaling biases (which can reach >15–20% in terms of relative error) are suggested. Such corrections could be useful in some practical cases where Z‐R scale biases are significant, which is especially expected for convective rainfall.
The potential of 3D‐FISH and super‐resolution structured illumination microscopy for studies of 3D nuclear architecture

Three‐dimensional structured illumination microscopy (3D‐SIM) has opened up new possibilities to study nuclear architecture at the ultrastructural level down to the ∼100 nm range. We present first results and assess the potential using 3D‐SIM in combination with 3D fluorescence in situ hybridization (3D‐FISH) for the topographical analysis of defined nuclear targets. Our study also deals with the concern that artifacts produced by FISH may counteract the gain in resolution. We address the topography of DAPI‐stained DNA in nuclei before and after 3D‐FISH, nuclear pores and the lamina, chromosome territories, chromatin domains, and individual gene loci. We also look at the replication patterns of chromocenters and the topographical relationship of Xist‐RNA within the inactive X‐territory. These examples demonstrate that an appropriately adapted 3D‐FISH/3D‐SIM approach preserves key characteristics of the nuclear ultrastructure and that the gain in information obtained by 3D‐SIM yields new insights into the functional nuclear organization.
Impact of the EOF Academic Coaching Program on selected first year EOF students

Calvin Cheung IMPACT OF THE EOF ACADEMIC COACHING PROGRAM ON SELECTED FIRST YEAR EOF STUDENTS 2011/12 Burton R. Sisco, Ed.D. Master of the Arts in Higher Education Administration The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of the EOF Academic Coaching Program on selected first year EOF students. Participants were chosen through purposive sampling which comprised of six first year EOF students who participated in the Academic Coaching Program during the Fall 2011 semester at Rowan University which is located in Glassboro, New Jersey. Interviews were conducted to learn more about the students’ background and experiences prior to attending college, experience during their first semester of college, and future goals and aspirations after college. Findings revealed that the Academic Coaching Program contributed towards first year EOF students’ academic adjustment to college. The findings also showed that students found value in their participation in the program because it helped them develop study strategies and provided them support in their academic courses. In addition, students expressed that the program had contributed towards achieving their goals and aspirations.
Topographic effects on spatiotemporal variations of short‐duration rainfall events in warm season of central North China

Statistical analyses of the hourly station rainfall observation over the recent 8 years show that rainfalls in the warm season (May–October) of the central North China are dominated by short‐duration rainfall events (lasting less than or equal to 6 h) and the southeastward delayed diurnal phases of total rainfall revealed by previous studies are mainly contributed by the propagating short‐duration rainfall rather than the long‐duration rainfall as that along the Yangtze River Valley. The spatiotemporal features of rainfall events are highly correlated with elevation heights. The largest frequency of short‐duration rainfall events locates in the southeastern inner periphery of Taihangshan and Yanshan mountains. Rainfall over the northwestern mountains often occurs in the afternoon. Some rainfall events propagate southeastward and influence the rainfall in the southeastern foothills and plain. The rainfall with short‐duration time mainly begins around the late evening in the southeastern plain, and even later in coastal regions. The understanding of topographic effects to rainfall events is discussed based on reanalysis and station data. Results indicate that the topography influences the diurnal varied surface or low‐level temperature, moisture, and wind fields, which benefit rainfall events occurring in the afternoon over the northwestern mountains first and the southeastward propagation afterward.
Reply: A Propensity-Matched Analysis of the Influence of Breast Reconstruction on Subsequent Development of Lymphedema.

BACKGROUND Recent literature demonstrates a lower incidence of lymphedema with breast reconstruction. This study compared the incidence of lymphedema after axillary dissection in a propensity-matched cohort of patients with and without immediate breast reconstruction. METHODS A review of patients undergoing axillary lymphadenectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction from January 1, 2000, to July 1, 2013, was conducted. Comorbidities, cancer treatment, operative characteristics, and pathologic findings were reviewed. The primary outcome was postoperative lymphedema. Univariate analysis identified baseline differences between the patient groups. Cohorts were propensity-matched by age, body mass index greater than 30 kg/m, adjuvant radiation therapy, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Subsequent multivariate regression was performed to identify independent predictors of lymphedema among matched patients. RESULTS A total of 4647 patients underwent breast cancer resection, with 1955 having axillary lymphadenectomy (no reconstruction, n = 1200; autologous, n = 563; implant-based, n = 192). Matching yielded a cohort of 239 reconstruction and 239 no-reconstruction patients demonstrating no differences in age, body mass index, hypertension, adjuvant radiation therapy, or axillary dissection extent. With 55.9 months' follow-up, postoperative lymphedema was diagnosed in 94 patients (19.7 percent). Reconstruction patients developed lymphedema in 19.2 percent of cases versus 20.1 percent for no- reconstruction patients (p = 0.82). Regression identified two independent predictors of lymphedema: postoperative radiation therapy (OR, 2.90; p < 0.001) and obesity (OR, 2.36; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a 19.7 percent incidence of lymphedema following axillary lymphadenectomy. Reconstruction does not appear to alter lymphedema risk, whereas postoperative radiation therapy, obesity, and extensive axillary dissection greatly increase risk. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, III.
Incremental Validity of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Adolescent Short Form (TEIQue-ASF)

This study examined the incremental validity of the adolescent short form of the Trait Emotional Questionnaire (TEIQue-ASF) in two European secondary-school samples. The TEIQue-ASF was administered as a predictor of socioemotional or academic achievement criteria, along with measures of coping strategies or cognitive ability, respectively. In Dutch high school students (N = 282), the TEIQue-ASF explained variance in all socioemotional criteria, controlling for coping strategies and demographics. In a sample of British preadolescents, the measure showed incremental contributions to academic achievement in the core areas (English, math, and science) of the English curriculum, controlling for cognitive ability subscales and gender (N = 357–491). Implications for the validity and applied utility of the TEIQue-ASF are discussed.
TRANSPLANTATION Cord blood T cells mediate enhanced antitumor effects compared with adult peripheral blood T cells

peripheral with unrelated CBT, particularly in the context of HLA mismatch and a T-replete graft,mayreduceleukemicrelapse.TostudytheroleofCBTcellsinmediatinggraft-versus-tumor responses and dissect the underlying immune mechanisms for this, compared the ability of HLA-mismatched CB and adult peripheral blood (PB) T cells to eliminate Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven human B-cell lymphoma in a xenogeneic numbersofPBTcells,leadingtoimprovedsurvivalintheCBgroup( P < .0003). Comparison of CB T cells that were autologous vs allogeneic to the lymphoma demonstrated that this antitumor effect was mediated by alloreactive rather than EBV-specific T cells. Analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes demonstrated that CB T cells mediated this enhanced antitumor effect by rapid infiltration of the tumor with CCR7 1 CD8 1 T cells and prompt induction of cytotoxic CD8 1 and CD4 1 T-helper (Th1) T cells in the tumor microenvironment. In contrast, in the PB group, this antilymphoma effect is impaired because of delayed tumoral infiltration of PB T cells and a relative bias toward suppressive Th2 and T-regulatory cells. Our data suggest that, despite being naturally programmed toward tolerance, reconstituting T cells after unrelated T-replete CBT may provide superior Tc1-Th1 antitumor effects against high-risk hematologic malignancies. ( Blood 2015;126(26):2882-2891)
Diastolic Stiffness of the Failing Diabetic Heart: Importance of Fibrosis, Advanced Glycation End Products, and Myocyte Resting Tension

Background— Excessive diastolic left ventricular stiffness is an important contributor to heart failure in patients with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is presumed to increase stiffness through myocardial deposition of collagen and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Cardiomyocyte resting tension also elevates stiffness, especially in heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The contribution to diastolic stiffness of fibrosis, AGEs, and cardiomyocyte resting tension was assessed in diabetic heart failure patients with normal or reduced LVEF. Methods and Results— Left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy samples were procured in 28 patients with normal LVEF and 36 patients with reduced LVEF, all without coronary artery disease. Sixteen patients with normal LVEF and 10 with reduced LVEF had diabetes mellitus. Biopsy samples were used for quantification of collagen and AGEs and for isolation of cardiomyocytes to measure resting tension. Diabetic heart failure patients had higher diastolic left ventricular stiffness irrespective of LVEF. Diabetes mellitus increased the myocardial collagen volume fraction only in patients with reduced LVEF (from 14.6±1.0% to 22.4±2.2%, P<0.001) and increased cardiomyocyte resting tension only in patients with normal LVEF (from 5.1±0.7 to 8.5±0.9 kN/m2, P=0.006). Diabetes increased myocardial AGE deposition in patients with reduced LVEF (from 8.8±2.5 to 24.1±3.8 score/mm2; P=0.005) and less so in patients with normal LVEF (from 8.2±2.5 to 15.7±2.7 score/mm2, P=NS). Conclusions— Mechanisms responsible for the increased diastolic stiffness of the diabetic heart differ in heart failure with reduced and normal LVEF: Fibrosis and AGEs are more important when LVEF is reduced, whereas cardiomyocyte resting tension is more important when LVEF is normal.
Evaluación espacial y temporal de la vegetación de la Sierra Madrigal, Tabasco, México (1973-2003)

This study was carried out in the Sierra Madrigal, Tabasco State, Mexico. The purpose was to evaluate the spatial distribution and transformation rate of tropical rain forest in 3 642 ha of Sierra Madrigal from 1973 to the year 2003. Maps of vegetation and land use for the years 1973,1984, and 2003 were made trough the interpretation of aerial photographs at scale 1:20 000. The vegetation and land use were characterized in the field. The rate transformation of land used and vegetation were obtained, and some soil properties were compared, based on the type of vegetation. The tropical rain forest of ramon (Brosimum nlicastrum) and huapaque (Dialium guianenese) lost 80% of their original distribution in 30 years. Fire was de the principal cause of devastation of the rain forest, which led to the formation
The Power of Negative Thinking: Which Cells Limit Tumor Immunity?

Why human tumors grow infiltrated by specific antitumor T cells has been a mystery attributed to negative factors released directly by the tumor or indirectly through immune intermediaries. The frequency and phenotype of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the peripheral blood of melanoma patients and healthy donors are surprisingly similar. Clin Cancer Res; 18(19); 5157–9. ©2012 AACR.
Toward understanding the function of the universally conserved GTPase HflX

iii Acknowledgements . iv List of Figures . viii List of Tables.x List of Abbreviations . xi List of Abbreviations (continued) . xii 1. Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis . 1 1.1 Overview of the central dogma . 1 1.2 Initiation.3 1.3 Elongation . 5 1.4 Termination . 7 1.5 Recycling . 10 2. Guanine Nucleotide Binding Proteins . 14 2.1 Five universally conserved GTPases of known function . 17 2.1.1 Initiation Factor 2 . 17 2.1.2 Elongation Factor Tu . 20 2.1.3 Elongation Factor G . 25 2.1.4 Protein secretion factors Ffh and FtsY. 30 2.2 Three universally conserved GTPases of unknown function . 32 2.2.1 YihA/YsxC . 32 2.2.2 YchF . 36 2.2. 3 HflX . 38 3. Nucleotide Binding and Hydrolysis Properties of HflX . 43 3.
Vertical wind distribution in the polar thermosphere during Horizontal E Region Experiment (HEX) campaign

[1] Vertical winds in the thermosphere were measured with two Fabry-Perot Interferometers at the Poker Flat Research Range (PFRR) and Eagle observatory, Alaska during the Horizontal E Region Experiment (HEX) campaign (Feburary and March 2003). Since these two observatories have almost the same geomagnetic latitude, we could deduce vertical wind distributions along the same auroral arc. The OI557.7-nm and OI630.0-nm emissions were separated using a dichroic mirror, which enabled us to estimate temporal variations in vertical winds in the E and F regions simultaneously. To measure the optical auroral distribution, we used all-sky imagers at the PFRR. We had 13 clear nights out of a total of 23. We obtained the following results from the observations. (1) The temporal variations in vertical wind observed at OI557.7 nm at the two observatories had a high degree of correlation, despite being ∼300 km apart. The correlation coefficients exceeded 0.6 on six of the 13 nights. The chance of exceeding a correlation coefficient of 0.6 on an individual night is about 0.1%. (2) The correlation was relatively low in the OI630.0-nm observation. (3) Some low-correlation cases for both wavelengths indicated that the location of the auroral arc with respect to the observatory was different for the two sites, namely, whether the auroral arc was poleward or equatorward of the observational area. These results suggest that the vertical wind structures along one auroral arc are uniform at least 300 km apart. This wind distribution was consistent with previous works in most cases, but some exceptions were also found.
Characteristics of long recovery early VLF events observed by the North African AWESOME Network

Lightning strokes are capable of initiating disturbances in the lower ionosphere, whose recoveries persist for many minutes. These events are remotely sensed via monitoring subionospherically propagating very low frequency (VLF) transmitter signals, which are perturbed as they pass through the region above the lightning stroke. In this paper we describe the properties and characteristics of the early VLF signal perturbations, which exhibit long recovery times using subionospheric VLF transmitter data from three identical receivers located at Algiers (Algeria), Tunis (Tunisia), and Sebha (Libya). The results indicate that the observation of long recovery events depends strongly on the modal structure of the signal electromagnetic field and the distance from the disturbed region and the receiver or transmitter locations. Comparison of simultaneously collected data at the three sites indicates that the role of the causative lightning stroke properties (e.g., peak current and polarity), or that of transient luminous events may be much less important. The dominant parameter which determines the duration of the recovery time and amplitude appears to be the modal structure of the subionospheric VLF probe signal at the ionospheric disturbance, where scattering occurs, and the subsequent modal structure that propagates to the receiver location.
Late Quaternary Niger Delta, and Adjacent Areas: Sedimentary Environments and Lithofacies

The Late Quaternary Niger delta in the Gulf of Guinea is a large, arcuate "classical" delta associated with marginal estuary and barrier island-lagoon complexes. The Late Quaternary deltaic lens (minimum volume 900 cubic kilometers) is the latest accretion within the Nigerian Coastal Plain geosyncline. Sediment originating in a vast and geologically complex hinterland is dispersed through the delta by river, tidal, wave, and ocean currents. Delta growth began during the Late Wisconsin lowstand of the sea when the rivers entrenched the continental shelf to reach mouths above submarine canyons at the shelf edge. The oldest stratigraphical unit of the Late Quaternary deltaic pile is a strand plain sand (Older Sands) representing a marine transgression into the hinterland. Later, in the Holocene, when sea-level became relatively stable, regressive advance across the sands of concentrically arranged delta environments gave rise to the Younger Suite, the uppermost stratigraphical formation in the deltaic lens. Lithofacies of this suite grade upward from open shelf clays, through pro-delta slope layered clays, silts, and sands, to well-bedded sands formed on the delta-front platform, river mouth bars, and beaches. Behind beach idge barrier islands fringing the visible part of the delta occur tidal mangrove swamps in which organic-rich sands and silts are being deposited. Cross-stratified river bar sands are accumulating in association with top-stratum silts and clays in the delta floodplain environment. The sedimentary framework of the Late Quaternary Niger delta is based on essentially concentric facies elements, as in many other "classical" deltas, rather than on radial elements as in the Mississippi birdfoot delta.