cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimentally Testing the Role of Foundation Species in Forests: The Harvard Forest Hemlock Removal Experiment

Summary 1. Problem statement – Foundation species define and structure ecological systems. In forests around the world, foundation tree species are declining due to overexploitation, pests and pathogens. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), a foundation tree species in eastern North America, is threatened by an exotic insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae). The loss of hemlock is hypothesized to result in dramatic changes in assemblages of associated species with cascading impacts on food webs and fluxes of energy and nutrients. We describe the setting, design and analytical framework of the Harvard Forest Hemlock Removal Experiment (HF-HeRE), a multi-hectare, long-term experiment that overcomes many of the major logistical and analytical challenges of studying system-wide consequences of foundation species loss. 2. Study design – HF-HeRE is a replicated and blocked Before-After-Control-Impact experiment that includes two hemlock removal treatments: girdling all hemlocks to simulate death by adelgid and logging all hemlocks >20 cm diameter and other merchantable trees to simulate pre-emptive salvage operations. These treatments are paired with two control treatments: hemlock controls that are beginning to be infested in 2010 by the adelgid and hardwood controls that represent future conditions of most hemlock stands in eastern North America. 3. Ongoing measurements and monitoring – Ongoing long-term measurements to quantify the magnitude and direction of forest ecosystem change as hemlock declines include: air and soil temperature, light availability, leaf area and canopy closure; changes in species composition and abundance of the soil seed-bank, understorey vegetation, and soil-dwelling invertebrates; dynamics of coarse woody debris; soil nitrogen availability and net nitrogen mineralization; and soil carbon flux. Short-term or one-time-only measurements include initial tree ages, hemlock-decomposing fungi, wood-boring beetles and throughfall chemistry. Additional within-plot, replicated experiments include effects of ants and litter-dwelling microarthoropods on ecosystem functioning, and responses of salamanders to canopy change. 4. Future directions and collaborations – HF-HeRE is part of an evolving network of retrospective studies, natural experiments, large manipulations and modelling efforts focused on identifying and understanding the role of single foundation species on ecological processes and dynamics. We invite colleagues from around the world who are interested in exploring complementary questions to take advantage of the HF-HeRE research infrastructure.
Exposure-resilience for free: the hierarchical ID-based encryption case

In the problem of gradual key exposure, the secret key is assumed to be slowly compromised over time, so that more and more information about a secret key is eventually leaked. This models the general situation in the real world where memory, storage systems and devices cannot perfectly hide all information for long time. In this setting, in order to protect against exposure threats, the secret key is represented in an "exposure- resilient" form, which is periodically refreshed with the following guarantee: as long as the adversary does not learn "too much" information about the current representation of the secret between successive refreshes, the system should remain secure. To measure the efficiency of a given solution, one considers the "natural" secret key representation A, the "exposure- resilient" representation B, and examines the following three measures: (1) space loss which is the extra space required by B over A; (2) time loss which is the operation slowdown when B is used in place of A: and (3) exposure-resilience which is the fraction of B which can be "safely leaked". All the current solutions to the problem - including proactive secret sharing, all-or-nothing transforms and exposure-resilient functions - always suffered from non-trivial losses in both space and time in order to achieve varying levels of exposure-resilience. It was, therefore, informally believed that these losses are inevitable in even, reasonable application, since a "natural" representation A is unlikely to offer any exposure-resilience. We show this belief is false for the elegant "hierarchical identity-based encryption" (HIBE) of Gentry and Silverberg (2002), which is the only known fully junctional HIBE up to date. Specifically, we show that the natural secret key representation for the HIBE admits a simple and efficient refresh operation, which offers very high level of exposure-resilience, while incurring absolutely no space or time losses for decryption. We argue that this simple fact is quite powerful from a key storage security perspective, is highly applicable for such tasks as threshold decryption, and that it further makes HIBE a much more attractive alternative in various real life scenarios. On a philosophical level, while previous techniques protected against gradual key exposure in a generic way, oblivious to the application, we show that in certain situations one might achieve much better parameters by concentrating on the application at hand.
Aberrant REDD1-mTORC1 responses to insulin in skeletal muscle from Type 2 diabetics.

The objective of this study was to establish whether alterations in the REDD1-mTOR axis underlie skeletal muscle insensitivity to insulin in Type 2 diabetic (T2D), obese individuals. Vastus lateral...
An Evolutionary Framework for Developed Country-Developing Country Co-Operation for the Development of Environment and Natural Resources Data-Banks

Analyses the specific problems relating to the design, development and applications of natural resources and environment data banks in developing countries. An evolutionary framework is proposed which is likely to derive maximum benefit from the state-of-the-art developed and the experience gained in developed countries while keeping in view the special problems and requirements of developing countries. Based on this frame-work, a modality is suggested for exchange of information, methodologies and experience between a typical developing country and a typical developed country. A few specific areas for cooperation between India and USA in the area of computerised information system are suggested.
Phenology Gardens in Indiana

Plant phenology observations taken over a long history for various purposes share a common interest in evaluating seasonal influences of weather on different species. Because comprehensive review of literature has been cited by Caprio (1966) and Caprio et al. (1970), no such effort will be made here.
Civic Virtue and Self-Interest

In this Review in 1993 Shelley Burtt critiqued contemporary republican theorists who urge a reinvigorated citizenry steeped in the ideal of civic virtue. Christopher Duncan finds the essence of Burtt's argument to be that such a revival is not feasible given the level of self-sacrifice required from citizens. He suggests, however, that contemporary republican theorists, like their ancient predecessor Aristotle, are not calling for altruism or the forsaking of self-interest. Rather, virtuous political participation rightly understood is, in fact, among the highest forms of self-interested behavior. Burtt replies that her earlier remarks discussed a part of the republican revival that had little to do with an Aristotelian politics of virtue, which indeed offers an attractive account of political life as a crucial element in individual self-fulfillment. But she notes also that liberalism rightly reminds us of the dangers of public mobilization and concentrated power; moreover, the political and practical obstacles to private reeducation of the citizenry remain.
Popular Culture and the Adversarial System

This article addresses a puzzle: lawyers are the most distrusted and despised of all American professions, whereas the public has a much higher opinion of judges. Yet Americans believe strongly in the adversary system in which all the important procedural decisions during civil or criminal trials are made by lawyers. Even though people crave a justice system that discovers what really happened, they accept one that delivers only trial truth and procedural justice, not factual truth or substantive justice. This article explores various reasons why people might favor the adversary system despite their distrust of lawyers and their craving for truth, such as a belief in personal autonomy, a distrust of government officials, and a lack of knowledge about alternatives. However, the article suggests another possible reason: the influence of popular cultural portrayals of the trial process. Dating back to the days of history's greatest teacher of trial tactics - Perry Mason - media consumers have been taught that the adversary system delivers the truth. We can count on a great lawyer's cross-examination to reveal the identity of the real killer. Even though we hate and distrust lawyers, we want a good one by our side when we're in trouble or an aggressive one prosecuting the crooks. Countless films and television shows since Perry Mason's day have conveyed the same basic message, although in more sophisticated form. According to "cultivation theory," people often extract information and form opinions based on fictitious stories told by pop culture media. Perhaps we derive our bone-deep belief in the adversary system from Perry Mason and the other great lawyers we've watched over the years.
Treatment of Fibular Hemimelia: Case Report

We reviewed the results of limb salvage treatment in four children (five extremities) who had congenital fibular hemimelia and were managed between 1981 and 2001. The age at the time of the first visit ranged from eight days after birth to nine years and eight months, and the follow-up period ranged from two years and ten months to nineteen years. Three extremities showed complete absence of fibula, and two showed proximal absence with distal anlage. Posterior release of the ankle was performed on four extremities to correct the pes equinus deformity. Tibial lengthening was performed on three extremities, and was repeated on two extremities. However, common complications were seen such as medial bending deformities of the tibia and lengthening difficulties because of excessive tightness of soft tissues. Three children showed good ambulation with or without AFO and one showed poor walking at final follow-up. We think this form of treatment is an attractive alternative to early amputation.
Agritourism: Development and Research

Agritourism: Development and Research Agricultural landscape and activities associated with it are rapidly evolving in the United States and around the globe as farmers are aggressively applying their resourcefulness and determination to meet the demands of a changing marketplace. No longer sustained by the sale of traditional crops and livestock that have provided a flat net income for the past 30 years, farmers have become entrepreneurs, generating additional income from second jobs known as “off-farm activities,” which have been estimated to comprise about 75% of farm income. Of these activities, diversification into tourism has been one of the most prevalent due to both the perceived extra benefits of working from home while being able to take care of children and the possibility of generating extra income.
Optical Whole-Genome Restriction Mapping as a Tool for Rapidly Distinguishing and Identifying Bacterial Contaminants in Clinical Samples.

Abstract : Introduction: Optical restriction genome mapping is a technology in which a genome is linearized on a surface and digested with specific restriction enzymes, giving an arrangement of the genome with gaps whose order and size are unique for a given organism. Current applications of this technology include assisting with the correct scaffolding and ordering of genomes in conjunction with whole-genome sequencing, observation of genetic drift and evolution using comparative genomics and epidemiological monitoring of the spread of infections. Here, we investigated the suitability of genome mapping for use in clinical labs as a potential diagnostic tool. Materials and Methods: Using whole genome mapping, we investigated the basic performance of the technology for identifying two bacteria of interest for food-safety (Lactobacilli spp. and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli). We further evaluated the performance for identifying multiple organisms from both simple and complex mixtures. Results: We were able to successfully generate optical restriction maps of four Lactobacillus species as well as a strain of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli from within a mixed solution, each distinguished using a common compatible restriction enzyme. Finally, we demonstrated that optical restriction maps were successfully obtained and the correct organism identified within a clinical matrix. Conclusion: With additional development, whole genome mapping may be a useful clinical tool for rapid in vitro diagnostics.
Pedestrian Detection Based on Nonlocal Sparse Feature

By using the constraints around the neighborhoods for weighted sparse representation,the pedestrian detection problem was solved. A dictionary with a strong extracting discriminate and sparse features power was obtained by using the Fisher discriminant dictionary learning method.With the constraint of the neighborhoods,the image patch was represented as a sparse feature via the dictionary. By computing the representation of the residuals and comparing the residuals with a threshold,the patch label was determined to finish the classification task. The experiments on INRIA person datasets showed that non-local sparse feature has an obvious power of discrimination.The constraint of the neighborhoods makes the sparse feature represented effectively.
Hiding in a Panopticon: Grand challenges in Internet anonymity

Many people have legitimate needs to avoid their online activities being tracked and linked to their real-world identities — from citizens of authoritarian regimes, to everyday victims of domestic abuse or law enforcement officers investigating organized crime. Current state-of-the-art anonymous communication systems are based on onion routing, an approach effective against localized adversaries with a limited ability to monitor or tamper with network traffic. In an environment of increasingly powerful and all-seeing state-level adversaries, however, onion routing is showing cracks, and may not offer reliable security for much longer. All current anonymity systems are vulnerable in varying degrees to five major classes of attacks: global passive traffic analysis, active attacks, “denial-of-security” or DoSec attacks, intersection attacks, and software exploits. Achieving tracking resistance in the future Internet will require solving the grand challenges presented by these classes of attacks. The Dissent project is prototyping a next-generation anonymity system representing a ground-up redesign of current approaches. Dissent is the first anonymity and pseudonymity architecture incorporating protection against the five major classes of known attacks. By switching from onion routing to alternate anonymity primitives offering provable resistance to traffic analysis, Dissent makes anonymity possible even against an adversary who can monitor most, or all, network communication. A collective control plane renders a group of participants in an online community indistinguishable even if an adversary interferes actively, such as by delaying messages or forcing users offline. Protocol-level accountability enables groups to identify and expel misbehaving nodes, preserving availability, and preventing adversaries from using denial-of-service attacks to weaken anonymity. The system computes anonymity metrics that give users realistic indicators of anonymity protection, even against adversaries capable of long-term intersection and statistical disclosure attacks, and gives users control over tradeoffs between anonymity loss and communication responsiveness. Finally, virtual machine isolation offers anonymity protection against browser software exploits of the kind recently employed to de-anonymize Tor users. Dissent is still an early proof-of-concept with many limitations and missing pieces, but we hope it serves to illustrate directions in which solutions to the grand challenges of online anonymity might be found.
A Model for Human–Human Collaborative Object Manipulation and Its Application to Human–Robot Interaction

During collaborative object manipulation, the interaction forces provide a communication channel through which humans coordinate their actions. In order for the robots to engage in physical collaboration with humans, it is necessary to understand this coordination process. Unfortunately, there is no intrinsic way to define the interaction forces. In this study, we propose a model that allows us to compute the interaction force during a dyadic cooperative object manipulation task. The model is derived directly from the existing theories on human arm movements. The results of a user study with 22 human subjects prove the validity of the proposed model. The model is then embedded in a control strategy that enables the robot to engage in a cooperative task with a human. The performance evaluation of the controller through simulation shows that the control strategy is a promising candidate for a cooperative human–robot interaction.
Temperature-Dependence of the Velocity of Second Sound and the Determination of Phonon Lifetimes from Thermal Conductivity

The traditional method for the determination of lifetimes of thermal phonons in crystals is based on the analysis of the thermal conductivity κ in terms of the kinetic formula $$ \kappa (T) = \frac{1} {3}C(T)v_D^2 \tau _R $$ (1) where C(T) is the specific heat, υ D is the Debye velocity, and τ R is the average resistive (non-momentum conserving) phonon relaxation time. Examples of results obtained for τ R in this way are shown in Fig 1 [1]. This approach has the advantage of simplicity, but in several instances the results obtained have been clearly inconsistent with other data. As examples we mention the following: 1) Estimates of the average phonon lifetime in silicon (see Fig. 1) give a room temperature value of around 8 psecs. However, direct measurement of the lifetime of the zone center LO phonon gives a lifetime of 13 psecs [2]. Since phonon lifetimes generally decrease with increasing phonon frequency it is hard to understand why the phonon of highest frequency in silicon should have a lifetime less than the average. The decay of the LO phonon by the 3-phonon process is not forbidden by any conservation law. 2) Numerical calculations of the Umklapp scattering rate [3] give lifetimes which, although subject to uncertainties associated with difficulties of estimating the interatomic potential, are considerably longer than the results obtained via Eq. 1. 3) Finally, we mention that even some more sophisticated analyses of the thermal conductivity, for example based on the Callaway model lead to difficulties regarding the relative rates of N and U processes. For T < Θ D , τ N should always be less than τ U , and at high temperatures the two times should be roughly equal. The models do not always succeed in giving these results [4], thereby raising doubts about the approach.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury After Cardiac Arrest

It is common for advanced practice clinicians (APC) to assist with the neurological assessment of a comatose patient following cardiac arrest. These patients are seen in coronary, medical, and neuroscience intensive care units. Patients with traumatic brain injury and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage may have been resuscitated in the field and may have additional anoxic-ischemic injury to the cortical mantle. This type of injury is unique in its severity. The task at hand is to assess severity and identify patients who may improve, as it is paramount to avoid premature withdrawal of care in these cases. This chapter discusses the pathophysiology, clinical and radiological assessment, and identification of prognostic factors in patients with anoxic-ischemic brain injury following cardiac arrest.
19-P: DP OR NOT DP? THAT IS THE QUESTION

Aim Flow cytometric crossmatching for a pancreatic transplant recipient was performed with two different deceased donors. While both donors were fairly well matched, both crossmatches were T-cell negative and B-cell positive. In our program, a positive crossmatch result is contraindicative of transplant and subsequently, the patient did not receive either organ. Methods Allogeneic flow cytometric crossmatching is performed on a Beckman Coulter FC500 MPL flow cytometer using peripheral blood collected in ACD-A tubes on Donor #1 and lymph node cells on Donor #2. DNA for HLA typing was derived from ACD-A anticoagulated blood with a Promega Maxwell ® 16 automated extractor. High resolution HLA typings were performed by SSP utilizing Life Technologies™ Direct To High Res kits for HLA-DQA1, -DPA1, and -DPB1 loci. PRA testing was performed using solid-phase antibody detection and Luminex platform (Gen-Probe™ Class I & II ID beads and Single-Antigen beads). Results The crossmatch with Donor #1 was T-cell negative and B-cell positive. The crossmatch with Donor #2 was also T-cell negative and B-cell positive. The patient’s typing is DPA1 ∗ 01:03, - and Donor #1 typed as DPA1 ∗ 01:03, 02:01 and Donor #2 also typed as DPA1 ∗ 01:03, 02:01 Both the patient’s Class I ID and single-antigen tests results did not show any reactivity against any Class I HLA-antibodies. The Class II single-antigen test revealed antibodies against DPA1 ∗ 02:01, 02:02, and 04:01. We conclude that the DPA1 ∗ 02:01 mismatch caused the positive B-cell flow cytometric crossmatch results with both Donor #1 and Donor #2. Conclusions This case study reflects the challenge and impact antibodies against HLA antigens not routinely tested for can have on potential transplants. In this case, having additional loci information including DPA1 ∗ is critical for future potential transplant opportunities. Requiring testing of DQA1 ∗ , DPA1 ∗ , and DPB1 ∗ in transplant waitlisted patients and deceased donors may prevent this problem in the future.
Chronic Maternal Hypercortisolemia in Late Gestation Alters Fetal Cardiac Function at Birth

Studies in our laboratory have shown that modest chronic increases in maternal cortisol concentrations over the last 0.20 of gestation impair maternal glucose metabolism and increase the incidence ...
Disability studies and the environmental humanities: toward an eco-crip theory

The signs that disability studies and environmental humanities should be considered alongside one another have been increasingly easy to see. A quick scan of recent activity includes: the Society f...
Bergmann glial Sonic hedgehog signaling activity is required for proper cerebellar cortical expansion and architecture

Neuronal-glial relationships play a critical role in the maintenance of central nervous system architecture and neuronal specification. A deeper understanding of these relationships can elucidate cellular cross-talk capable of sustaining proper development of neural tissues. In the cerebellum, cerebellar granule neuron precursors (CGNPs) proliferate in response to Purkinje neuron-derived Sonic hedgehog (Shh) before ultimately exiting the cell cycle and migrating radially along Bergmann glial fibers. However, the function of Bergmann glia in CGNP proliferation remains not well defined. Interestingly, the Hh pathway is also activated in Bergmann glia, but the role of Shh signaling in these cells is unknown. In this study, we show that specific ablation of Shh signaling using the tamoxifen-inducible TNCYFP-CreER line to eliminate Shh pathway activator Smoothened in Bergmann glia is sufficient to cause severe cerebellar hypoplasia and a significant reduction in CGNP proliferation. TNCYFP-CreER; SmoF/- (SmoCKO) mice demonstrate an obvious reduction in cerebellar size within two days of ablation of Shh signaling. Mutant cerebella have severely reduced proliferation and increased differentiation of CGNPs due to a significant decrease in Shh activity and concomitant activation of Wnt signaling in SmoCKO CGNPs, suggesting that this pathway is involved in cross-talk with the Shh pathway in regulating CGNP proliferation. In addition, Purkinje cells are ectopically located, their dendrites stunted, and the Bergmann glial network disorganized. Collectively, these data demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for Bergmann glial Shh signaling activity in the proliferation of CGNPs and proper maintenance of cerebellar architecture.
University Library Partnerships: Promoting Economic Development

The article discusses an innovative partnership at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The collaborative project involves the UNLV Libraries and the Nevada Small Business Development Center, which is affiliated with the College of Business. The partnership was created to assist the University’s goal of promoting economic development in the Las Vegas and Southern Nevada region.
Dimerization quality control ensures neuronal development and survival

Aberrant complex formation by recurrent interaction modules, such as BTB domains, leucine zippers, or coiled coils, can disrupt signal transduction, yet whether cells detect and eliminate complexes of irregular composition is unknown. By searching for regulators of the BTB family, we discovered a quality control pathway that ensures functional dimerization [dimerization quality control (DQC)]. Key to this network is the E3 ligase SCFFBXL17, which selectively binds and ubiquitylates BTB dimers of aberrant composition to trigger their clearance by proteasomal degradation. Underscoring the physiological importance of DQC, SCFFBXL17 is required for the differentiation, function, and survival of neural crest and neuronal cells. We conclude that metazoan organisms actively monitor BTB dimerization, and we predict that distinct E3 ligases similarly control complex formation by other recurrent domains.
Focal Degeneration of Vestibular Neuroepithelium in the Cristae Ampullares of Three Human Subjects.

BACKGROUND We report a unique pattern of focal degeneration of the neuroepithelium of cristae ampullares, thick subepithelial extracellular deposits, and neural degeneration in three humans. OBJECTIVE To characterize the pattern of vestibular degeneration and measure the thickness of subepithelial deposits in these three cases and controls. METHODS The subepithelial deposits of vestibular end organs in three subject cases and controls were studied using hematoxylin and eosin, periotic acid-Schiff, Gomori trichrome staining, and immunostaining for antineurofilament, antimyosin VIIa, and anticollagen 4a1. The thickness of deposit as measured by light microscopy was compared with that of control groups (age-matched controls, patients with unilateral Meniere's disease, vestibular neuritis, cupulolithiasis, severe nonfocal degeneration of the vestibular neuroepithelium, and Alport syndrome). The correlation of thickness of deposits with age from 0 to 100 years was also investigated. RESULTS Focal loss of hair cells in the neuroepithelium, thick subepithelial deposits, and degeneration of subepithelial dendrites and Scarpa's ganglion were found in all three cristae of three subject cases. Immunostaining demonstrated a decrease of afferent neural fibers in the cristae and focal fragmentation of the basement membrane adjacent to the deposits. The thickness of the subepithelial deposits in three cristae of three subject cases was significantly greater than that of all controls. In the three cristae of normal controls, the thickness of deposits demonstrated a positive correlation with age. CONCLUSION Although both age and degeneration of the vestibular neuroepithelium may be associated with the thickness of the subepithelial deposits, in this unique pattern of degeneration, the thickness of the subepithelial deposits was significantly greater than that in all controls.
BUR-GEN: A Bursty Packet Generator for Vehicular Communication Channels

Common vehicular channel models (VCMs) accurately predict the packet reception ratio (PRR) observed from dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) field operational tests. However, such independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) based packet generation models fail to match the bursty channel conditions that result in occasional long periods of packet losses that thwart the ability of safety applications to assist drivers in improving their situational awareness. In this paper, we propose a bursty packet generation algorithm called BUR-GEN, which we evaluate through simulation and, along with several common VCMs, compare to the PRR, inter-packet gap (IPG), and consecutive reception run length (CRRL) of the safety pilot model deployment, a large-scale DSRC-based measurement campaign. The model that incorporates the BUR-GEN packet generation algorithm improves the root-mean-square error of IPG and CRRL by factors of six and four, respectively. Additionally, we assess safety effectiveness using awareness probability. Our results show that safety reliability estimates for vehicle-to-vehicle safety applications are increased by a factor of 31 for maximum safety tolerances, as compared to an i.i.d.-based model that produces that same PRR but does not account for bursty channel behaviors.
The sacrificial herb: Gathering prayers in medieval pharmacy

This essay examines the plant-gathering prayers that appear throughout thirteenth- and fourteenth-century treatises on medicine and pharmacy as an avenue into uncovering possible late medieval European configurations of the human relationship to plant matter. Although herbals and recipe books might on first glance suggest a relationship of human dominion over the plant world, one in which humans treasured plants for their instrumentality in medical matters, nevertheless the presence of scattered prayers indicate a current of discomfort with this evaluation. Plant-gathering prayers offered scripts for humans to express gratitude for the role plants played in human health and they required humans to recognize the divine creation of – and presence in – plants.
Enriched environment inhibits breast cancer progression in obese models with intact leptin signaling

Obesity is becoming a global epidemic and is a risk factor for breast cancer. Environmental enrichment (EE), a model recapitulating an active lifestyle, leads to leanness, resistance to diet-induced obesity (DIO) and cancer. One mechanism is the activation of the hypothalamic-sympathoneural-adipocyte (HSA) axis. This results in the release of norepinephrine onto adipose tissue inducing a drop of leptin. This study aimed to test the effects of EE on breast cancer onset and progression while considering the effect of leptin by utilizing the transgenic MMTV-PyMT model as well as several models of varied leptin signaling. EE was highly effective at reducing weight gain, regardless of the presence of leptin. However, the effects of EE on tumor progression were dependent on leptin signaling. EE decreased leptin and reduced mammary tumor growth rate in MMTV-PyMT spontaneous and DIO transplantation models; in contrast, the absence of leptin in ob/ob mice resulted in increased tumor growth likely due to elevated norepinephrine levels. Our results suggest that the microenvironment is critical in breast tumorigenesis and that the drop in leptin is an important peripheral mediator of the EE anti-breast cancer effects, offsetting the potential pro-tumorigenic effects of norepinephrine responding to a complex environment.
Central and peripheral factors mechanistically linked to exercise intolerance in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

We show that critical speed (CS), which defines the upper boundary of sustainable activity, can be resolved in heart failure (HF) animals and is diminished compared with controls. Central cardiac f...
PPARδ Mediates the Effect of Dietary Fat in Promoting Colorectal Cancer Metastasis.

The nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor involved in fatty acid metabolism, obesity, wound healing, inflammation, and cancer. Although PPARδ has been shown to promote intestinal adenoma formation and growth, the molecular mechanisms underlying the contribution of PPARδ to colorectal cancer remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that activation of PPARδ induces expansion of colonic cancer stem cells (CSC) and promotes colorectal cancer liver metastasis by binding to the Nanog promoter and enhancing Nanog expression. Moreover, PPARδ mediated the effect of a high-fat diet in promoting liver metastasis and induction of colonic CSC expansion. Our findings uncover a novel role of dietary fats in colorectal cancer metastasis and reveal novel mechanisms underlying PPARδ-mediated induction of CSCs and those responsible for the contribution of dietary fats to colorectal cancer progression. These findings may provide a rationale for developing PPARδ antagonists to therapeutically target CSCs in colorectal cancer. Significance: These findings show that PPARδ contributes to colorectal cancer metastasis by expanding the CSC population, indicating that antagonists that target PPARδ may be beneficial in treating colorectal cancer.
Estimating Thermal Noise in $\Delta\Sigma$ ADCs Composed of Switched Capacitor Integrators

Thermal noise can be the limiting factor to achieving high resolution in ${\Delta }{\Sigma }$ modulator ADCs. Accurately estimating the impact of thermal noise on higher order modulator operation can be critical to predicting resolution. A mathematical model and simulation method for estimating the thermal noise in $ {\Delta } {\Sigma }$ modulators composed of switched capacitor integrators have been developed and a new mechanism for thermal noise contribution from the integrator amplifier is presented. Compared with sampling noise, the integrator amplifier thermal noise can be a dominant noise source. An ADC experiment has been created to evaluate the accuracy of the noise estimation model. The experiment was implemented with a second order ${\Delta } {\Sigma }$ modulator ADC monitoring a low voltage input channel with a 250 kHz clock rate and 3 ms conversion time at an over sampling ratio of 768. The mathematical model predicts 14.7 stable bits of resolution, the simulation method predicts 14.7 bits of resolution, and the hardware was measured to have 14.6 bits of resolution at the 3 ms conversion rate.
The Knocked Out Permanent Tooth: A Review of Emergency Instructions on Pediatric Dentistry Practice Websites

Purpose Parents seek emergency instructions from pediatric dentistry practice websites when tooth avulsion injuries occur. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) endorses the 2012 International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) guidelines for the management of all types of traumatic dental injuries, including avulsion of permanent teeth (Dent Traumatol. 2012; 28:88-96). This study reviewed the internet websites of AAPD-affiliated private practices for the presence …
“There’s Nothing So Good as a Practical Theory”: Some Aphorisms for Doing Good Therapy:

If doing good therapy were easy, everyone would be doing life-changing therapy in every moment of every session. But, it’s not so easy and, despite most clinicians’ best efforts, we aren’t all doin...
Exceptionally Complex Electronic Structures of Lanthanide Oxides and Small Molecules.

ConspectusLanthanide (Ln) oxide clusters and molecular systems provide a bottom-up look at the electronic structures of the bulk materials because of close parallels in the patterns of Ln 4fN subshell occupancy between the molecular and bulk Ln2O3 size limits. At the same time, these clusters and molecules offer a challenge to the theory community to find appropriate and robust treatments for the 4fN patterns across the Ln series. Anion photoelectron (PE) spectroscopy provides a powerful experimental tool for studying these systems, mapping the energies of the ground and low-lying excited states of the neutral relative to the initial anion state, providing spectroscopic patterns that reflect the Ln 4fN occupancy. In this Account, we review our anion PE spectroscopic and computational studies on a range of small lanthanide molecules and cluster species. The PE spectra of LnO– (Ln = Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu) diatomic molecules show spectroscopic signatures associated with detachment of an electron from what can be de...
Transforming Campus Voting Drives into Interdisciplinary Service-Learning Projects.

During the 2016 election season, the authors—a collection of staff, faculty, and students at a rural, four-year comprehensive college—piloted a new format for a student-driven, campuswide, nonpartisan voter mobilization campaign anchored in a political science course and supported by a credit-bearing internship and advanced graphic design course. We argue that this project offers a model for how collaboration between student affairs and academic affairs can transform the nonpartisan voter mobilization campaign into a site for interdisciplinary, cross-campus service-learning projects that benefit the student participants and the campus community. This article outlines the advantages and challenges of the project and concludes with recommendations for those interested in implementing a similar program.
Survey data of foreign language learners' enjoyment and anxiety in the U.S.

Abstract The data derive from a survey collected from 182 bilingual and multilingual speakers who are foreign language speakers from six language groups, including Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, French, and Russian. They registered in beginning, immediate, and advanced levels of foreign language classes in a public four-year university in the Midwestern U.S. The survey was developed with an aim of exploring foreign language learners' enjoyment and anxiety in learning foreign languages. The survey was distributed by utilizing an online questionnaire, which is composed of four sections: 1) demographic information (9 items), 2) the Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale (FLES) (12 items), 3) the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) (8 items), and 4) open-ended questions (2 items). Both FLES and FLCAS took the form of a 5-point Likert scale. The entire dataset is stored in an Excel file (.xls). The entire questionnaire is included as a supplementary file.
Investigation of HIV-1 Gag binding with RNAs and lipids using Atomic Force Microscopy.

Atomic Force Microscopy was utilized to study the morphology of Gag, ΨRNA, and their binding complexes with lipids in a solution environment with 0.1A vertical and 1nm lateral resolution. TARpolyA RNA was used as a RNA control. The lipid used was phospha-tidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). The morphology of specific complexes Gag-ΨRNA, Gag-TARpolyA RNA, Gag-PI(4,5)P2 and PI(4,5)P2-ΨRNA-Gag were studied. They were imaged on either positively or negatively charged mica substrates depending on the net charges carried. Gag and its complexes consist of monomers, dimers and tetramers, which was confirmed by gel electrophoresis. The addition of specific ΨRNA to Gag is found to increase Gag multimerization. Non-specific TARpolyA RNA was found not to lead to an increase in Gag multimerization. The addition PI(4,5)P2 to Gag increases Gag multimerization, but to a lesser extent than ΨRNA. When both ΨRNA and PI(4,5)P2 are present Gag undergoes comformational changes and an even higher degree of multimerization.
Which Way is Up? Orientation and Residential Property Values

Builders have long been cognizant of the importance of the siting of a house on a lot, whether to shelter from prevailing weather, allow better access to natural light, gain a scenic view, or more ...
Effects of intraaortic protamine injection on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid inflammatory cytokine levels in infants undertaking opening heart operation by cardiopulmonary bypass

Objective To investigate the effect of intraaortic protamine injection on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) inflammatory cytokine levels in infants undertaking opening heart operation by Cardiopulmonary Bypass,in order to verify the protective role of intraaortic protamine in lung.Methods Sixty infants(age ≤ 10 month,weight ≤ 8 kg)undertaking opening heart operation by Cardiopulmonary Bypass were randomized into receiving intraaortic group (the experimental group,n =30) and intravenous protamine group (the control group,n =30).The levels of histamine,tryptase and leukotrienes B4 in the BALF were compared between the experimental and the control groups before injecting protamine and 6 hours after injecting protamine.Results There were no significant differences in the levels of histamine,tryptase and leukotrienes B4 in the BALF between the two groups before injecting protamine (P ＞ 0.05).The levels of histamine ((61.1 ± 10.2) μg/L vs.(35.4 ± 8.9) μg/L,t =2.005),tryptase ((73.9 ± 10.2) U/L vs.(56.5 ± 7.1) U/L,t =1.862) and leukotrienes B4 ((86.8 ± 8.1) ng/L vs.(68.4 ± 5.9) ng/L,t =2.114) in the BALF of the intravenous protamine groups were markedly higher compared with the intraortic protamine groups at 6 hours after injecting protamine (P ＜ 0.05).The experimental group had significandy shorter duration of mechanical ventilation than in the control group((6.3 ±0.8) h vs.(10.1 ± 1.2) h,t =1.895,P ＜0.05).Conclusion Intraaortic protamine injection can decrease the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the BALF and reduce lung injury.It is a good way to conduct intraaortic protamine injection for lung protection in infants undertaking opening heart operation by Cardiopulmonary Bypass. Key words: Protamine; Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; Histamine; Tryptase; Leukotrienes B4
The use of anakinra in the treatment of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Background Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can be familial or secondary, which is often triggered by infection or malignancy. HLH therapy includes dexamethasone and etoposide. However, therapy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Anakinra, a recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, has been reported to treat macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), rheumatic sHLH. We report our experience with anakinra to treat patients with nonrheumatic secondary HLH (sHLH). Procedure Six children were diagnosed with HLH from December 2014 to August 2016 and were treated with subcutaneous anakinra (6-10 mg/kg/day divided over four doses) with or without dexamethasone (10 mg/m2 /day). Therapy was either escalated or weaned based on clinical and laboratory response. Results Five of six patients were treated with anakinra and dexamethasone, and one with anakinra alone due to active cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis. The median age of diagnosis was 1.8 years (range 0.8-14.9 years). No pathogenic mutations associated with HLH were identified, but three of six possessed genetic variants of unknown significance. Infectious triggers were identified for four patients and two patients had malignancies. The average treatment duration was 8 weeks with 3.5-5.5 years of follow up. No patient needed escalation of therapy to include etoposide. All patients achieved remission. Anakinra was well tolerated without significant adverse effects. Conclusion Initial treatment with anakinra (with or without dexamethasone) is a feasible treatment alternative for patients with secondary HLH and may allow for avoidance of etoposide. We recommend early initiation of anakinra when HLH is suspected. A broader investigation of the use of anakinra as a first-line agent for HLH is ongoing.
How does three-dimensional canopy geometry affect the front propagation of a gravity current?

Large-eddy simulations are performed to investigate how three-dimensional canopy geometry affects the front propagation of an incoming gravity current under a given initial forcing. A regular array of rigid square cylinders are used to represent the distributed canopy elements. It is shown that the conventional geometrical parameter of submerged canopies in constant-density flows (ah, where a is the frontal area per canopy volume and h is the canopy height) is misleading when applied to buoyancy-driven flows due to the additional complexity arising from the internal density gradients. Instead, the present study suggests a new geometrical framework consisting of a canopy density (ϕ) and a canopy-to-current height ratio (h), which can jointly provide an unambiguous description of the state of the current–canopy interaction. Two propagation regimes of the gravity current are identified, either along the channel bed (through-flow) or above the canopy’s top boundary (over-flow). Our analysis reveals that ϕ and h counteract each other’s effect on the transition of flow regimes. Large ϕ implies a strong suppression of horizontal advection within the canopy and thus promotes the through-to-over flow transition; in contrast, large h tends to promote the over-to-through flow transition due to the lack of sufficient potential energy to overcome the height jump. The end product is a complex variation pattern of a propagation regime and front velocity in the two-dimensional ϕ–h parameter space.
Ins and Outs: Perspectives of Inpatient Prescribing for Sacubitril/Valsartan:

Heart failure is a major public health concern with a rising prevalence and significant financial detriment. Although sacubitril/valsartan was shown to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization from heart failure in a contemporary cohort, it continues to remain substantially underutilized. A recent article in the Annals highlights the evidence behind inpatient initiation of sacubitril/valsartan. We provide further considerations and summarize the evidence for inpatient initiation of other guideline directed medical therapies. Overall, there is a need to improve methods to identify ideal populations and increase utilization in those who may benefit from sacubitril/valsartan. Further research is also needed to identify the risks versus benefits among underrepresented populations (i.e., advanced heart failure, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, in conjunction with other contemporary evidence-based therapies that can lower blood pressure, etc.).
Surgical Treatment Options of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Lymphedema after cancer treatment is a progressive, debilitating condition that is becoming increasingly common as mortality rates decline. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evolution of treatment of lymphedema focusing on surgical management and outcomes. With the development of supermicrosurgical techniques and advanced imaging technology, surgical treatment of lymphedema has evolved past reductive measures and sought to address the underlying pathophysiology. Particularly in breast cancer-related lymphedema, our group follows a novel algorithm to address both the autologous breast reconstruction with physiologic treatment of the affected extremity. Patients and physicians alike should be educated about the risk factors for developing lymphedema after cancer treatment, prompt and proper diagnosis, as well as conservative and surgical treatment options. While the optimal treatment algorithm remains to be elucidated, a multi-modality treatment approach has demonstrated promising outcomes in symptom improvement, volume reduction, and quality of life.