Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NO-TILL GRAIN PRODUCTION IN WYOMING : STATUS AND POTENTIAL

In dryland cropping systems, optimal yields require that nutrient supply matches the soil’s yield potential supported by available moisture. Conservation tillage systems that leave at least 30 percent of the soil surface covered by residue dramatically increase moisture retained in the soil compared to crop-fallow systems. This enables producers to plant two, three, or four consecutive crops, or continuously, without fallow, but water and nutrient needs are much more closely balanced with supplies, so more intensive management is required. As soil organic matter lost during decades of frequent tillage recover, soil water holding capacity, infiltration, and nutrient supplying ability increase. Crop nutrients come from organic residues decomposing inseason, often stimulated by fertilizer additions. Excess water and plant-available nutrients accumulated during year-long fallow periods are eliminated. This season-long nutrient supply increases grain protein. Since crop nutrient needs are more closely balanced with soil nutrient supply rates, in-season assessment of nutrient status and addition of fertilizer can be necessary. New technologies for nutrient assessment, such as specialized satellite imagery, are important tools in the intensified and diversified conservation cropping systems. Rates of adoption of conservation tillage practices in Wyoming lag behind surrounding states. Relatively low cropland acreage has prevented development of a strong extension program in Wyoming, but collaborative research and educational programs, both on-farm and at Wyoming’s research & extension centers, have potential to increase the number of producers using conservation tillage.
The Role of Surrogate Markers in the Clinical Development of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Model for Early Evaluation of Targeted Cancer Drugs

Both CD4 cell counts and measurements of plasma HIV-1 RNA (i.e. viral load) have become established surrogate markers for predicting treatment and disease outcome in HIV infection, and are instrumental for the evaluation of new antiretroviral drugs in clinical trials. Recently, HIV drug-resistance testing has also become available and has been shown to have prognostic value in providing guidance with antiretroviral therapy. The identification of robust surrogate markers is also an essential requirement for the clinical development of targeted anticancer agents, which unlike their cytotoxic counterparts, are often devoid of the toxicities that have been traditionally used to monitor the efficacy of chemotherapy. In particular, biological or molecular markers that are predictive of a drug effect need to be integrated into early efficacy trials of targeted therapies in order to confirm that the drug is in fact “hitting” the intended target. The full clinical significance of many of the altered cell types or polymorphisms, which are selected by cytostatic agents, remains to be elucidated. However, molecular genotyping of these targets, akin to drug resistance testing for HIV infection, may constitute an important strategy to assist with the selection and monitoring of targeted chemotherapy in cancer patients. Thus, lessons from HIV/AIDS on the value of surrogate makers may assist with the development and optimization of targeted cancer therapy.
Cloud Storage Access Control Scheme of Ciphertext Algorithm Based on Digital Envelope

AbstractCiphertext Policy Attribute-Based Encryption (CP-ABE) has been widely studied in recent years because it is more suitable for access control of shared data under cloud storage environment. In view of problems of flexibility and efficiency of the existing encryption schemes under cloud storage environment, combined with digital envelopes technology, the paper puts forward an optimized scheme based on supporting fine-grained access control. The scheme has the following advantages: Adopting digital envelopes technology, reducing the computational overhead of Data Owner significantly on the basis of the ensuring data confidentiality, using proxy re-encryption technology to realize the support of user and attribute revocation flexibly, furthermore, the backward and forward secrecy also have been ensured. Adopting security protocols to distribute the shared keys between users and cloud storage server, cloud storage server can save the overhead in maintenance of a large user key’s tree. Security and perf.
Defining interacting partners for drug discovery

Over the past few years, several technologies have been developed to determine interacting partners of proteins. The techniques fall into two broad categories: direct and indirect. Experimental techniques have been developed to directly probe protein interactions by monitoring protein-binding events. These techniques include the two-hybrid approach, protein fragment complementation assays, co-purification techniques and protein chips. In addition to these methodologies, several approaches have also emerged over the past few years to deduce indirect couplings between proteins. These couplings do not necessarily imply that two proteins are bound within the cell; however, they do provide evidence that perturbing one protein is likely to significantly perturb the function of its partner. These couplings may be deduced by studying the evolution of protein pairs, estimating the degree of correlated transcription of two genes, searching for synthetic lethal pairs, or identifying the chromosomal binding sites of transcriptional regulators. In all cases, protein interactions and protein couplings are being used to advance drug discovery by providing detailed information on protein functions, and by suggesting novel targets that act within biochemical pathways implicated in disease.
Child Income Appropriations as a Disease-Coping Mechanism: Consequences for the Health-Education Relationship

Abstract This paper analyses the relationships between HIV/AIDS and education taking into account the appropriative nature of child income. Using a theoretical model, we show that considering remittances from one’s child as an insurance asset can reverse the usual negative relationship between disease prevalence and educational investment. This prediction confirms the results of an empirical study conducted on data compiled from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) database for 12 sub-Sahara African countries for children aged between 7 and 22-years-old. Using regional HIV prevalence as a measure of health risk, we find that the ‘sign of the slope’ between health risk and the enrolment of children is not constant. Splitting the data based on expected remittance patterns (for example rural versus urban), we obtain that the effect is most likely driven by household characteristics related to child income appropriation.
Alterations in the motor neuron-renshaw cell circuit in the Sod1(G93A) mouse model.

Motor neurons become hyperexcitable during progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This abnormal firing behavior has been explained by changes in their membrane properties, but more recently it has been suggested that changes in premotor circuits may also contribute to this abnormal activity. The specific circuits that may be altered during development of ALS have not been investigated. Here we examined the Renshaw cell recurrent circuit that exerts inhibitory feedback control on motor neuron firing. Using two markers for Renshaw cells (calbindin and cholinergic nicotinic receptor subunit alpha2 [Chrna2]), two general markers for motor neurons (NeuN and vesicular acethylcholine transporter [VAChT]), and two markers for fast motor neurons (Chondrolectin and calcitonin-related polypeptide alpha [Calca]), we analyzed the survival and connectivity of these cells during disease progression in the Sod1(G93A) mouse model. Most calbindin-immunoreactive (IR) Renshaw cells survive to end stage but downregulate postsynaptic Chrna2 in presymptomatic animals. In motor neurons, some markers are downregulated early (NeuN, VAChT, Chondrolectin) and others at end stage (Calca). Early downregulation of presynaptic VAChT and Chrna2 was correlated with disconnection from Renshaw cells as well as major structural abnormalities of motor axon synapses inside the spinal cord. Renshaw cell synapses on motor neurons underwent more complex changes, including transitional sprouting preferentially over remaining NeuN-IR motor neurons. We conclude that the loss of presynaptic motor axon input on Renshaw cells occurs at early stages of ALS and disconnects the recurrent inhibitory circuit, presumably resulting in diminished control of motor neuron firing.
Challenges to sustainable development in Mississippi

Abstract To date, various constituents have attempted to improve the economic opportunities in Mississippi through entrepreneurship, small business development, and job creation/workforce development and wastewater treatment. However, none have explicitly focused on avenues toward sustainable development in terms of poverty eradication and achieving equitable resource allocation. This study seeks to empirically derive the challenges to sustainable development in Mississippi by forming clusters of counties with similar socioeconomic, demographic, health, and environmental characteristics. Maps created through ArcGIS software are used in conjunction with the cluster analysis to visualize the data. Cluster analysis yielded three distinct clusters. Priority should be given to counties that are predominantly black, rural, and characterized by high unemployment and high poverty. Special attention should also be implemented in counties characterized by a high unmet need for health services and a low density of medical professionals.
Perpetuation of torsade de pointes in heterogeneous hearts: competing foci or re‐entry?

The underlying mechanism of torsade de pointes (TdP) remains of debate: perpetuation may be due to (1) focal activity or (2) re‐entrant activity. The onset of TdP correlates with action potential heterogeneities in different regions of the heart. We studied the mechanism of perpetuation of TdP in silico using a 2D model of human cardiac tissue and an anatomically accurate model of the ventricles of the human heart. We found that the mechanism of perpetuation TdP depends on the degree of heterogeneity. If the degree of heterogeneity is large, focal activity alone can sustain a TdP, otherwise re‐entrant activity emerges. This result can help to understand the relationship between the mechanisms of TdP and tissue properties and may help in developing new drugs against it.
Novel N-Benzoyl-2-Hydroxybenzamide Disrupts Unique Parasite Secretory Pathway

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that can damage the human brain and eyes. There are no curative medicines. Herein, we describe our discovery of N-benzoyl-2-hydroxybenzamides as a class of compounds effective in the low nanomolar range against T. gondii in vitro and in vivo. Our lead compound, QQ-437, displays robust activity against the parasite and could be useful as a new scaffold for development of novel and improved inhibitors of T. gondii. Our genome-wide investigations reveal a specific mechanism of resistance to N-benzoyl-2-hydroxybenzamides mediated by adaptin-3β, a large protein from the secretory protein complex. N-Benzoyl-2-hydroxybenzamide-resistant clones have alterations of their secretory pathway, which traffics proteins to micronemes, rhoptries, dense granules, and acidocalcisomes/plant-like vacuole (PLVs). N-Benzoyl-2-hydroxybenzamide treatment also alters micronemes, rhoptries, the contents of dense granules, and, most markedly, acidocalcisomes/PLVs. Furthermore, QQ-437 is active against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Our studies reveal a novel class of compounds that disrupts a unique secretory pathway of T. gondii, with the potential to be used as scaffolds in the search for improved compounds to treat the devastating diseases caused by apicomplexan parasites.
Inositol 1,3,4,5-Tetrakisphosphate Binding Activities of Neuronal and Non-neuronal Synaptotagmins

Synaptotagmins I and II are essential for Ca2+-regulated exocytosis of synaptic vesicles from neurons, probably serving as Ca2+ sensors. This Ca2+-sensing function is thought to be disrupted by binding of an inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4) to the C2B domain of synaptotagmin I or II (Fukuda, M., Moreira, J. E., Lewis, F. M. T., Sugimori, M., Niinobe, M., Mikoshiba, K., and Llinás, R. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.92, 10708–10712). Recently, several synaptotagmin isoforms, expressed outside the nervous system, have been identified in rats and proposed to be involved in constitutive vesicle traffic. To test whether the inositol high polyphosphates also regulate constitutive vesicle traffic by binding to the non-neuronal synaptotagmins, we examined the IP4 binding properties of the recombinant C2 domains of both neuronal (III, V, X, and XI) and non-neuronal (VI–VIII and IX) synaptotagmins. The C2B domains of synaptotagmins VII–IX and XI had strong IP4 binding activity, but the C2B domain of synaptotagmin VI showed very weak IP4 binding activity. In contrast, there was no significant IP4 binding activity of the C2B domains of synaptotagmins III, V, and X or any of the C2A domains. A phylogenetic tree of the C2 domains of 11 isoforms revealed that synaptotagmins III, V, VI, and X (IP4-insensitive or very weak IP4-binding isoforms) belong to the same branch. Based on the sequence comparison between the IP4-sensitive and -insensitive isoforms, we performed site-directed mutagenesis of synaptotagmin III and identified several amino acid substitutions that abolish IP4 binding activity. Our data suggest that the inositol high polyphosphates might also regulate constitutive vesicle traffic via binding to the IP4-sensitive non-neuronal synaptotagmins.
Musculoskeletal pain and treatment choice: an exploration of illness perceptions and choices of conventional or complementary therapies

Purpose. This study explored experiences of receiving treatment for musculoskeletal pain (MSKP), particularly choices of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and/or conventional treatment, using the illness perception dimension of Leventhal's Self-Regulatory Model as the underpinning model within the broader biopsychosocial framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Method. A mixed-method study was conducted involving 17 people with MSKP. Data were collected in semi-structured interviews, using a phased approach that included the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and open-ended questions about experiences of managing and seeking treatment for MSKP. Questionnaire data were analysed descriptively; interview data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results. Analysis points to health professionals and participants as gatekeepers to treatment, with gatekeeping based on matters of power, searching for solutions, and managing day to day. The themes Role of the Gatekeeper, Swing of the Interminable Pendulum, and Solution of Soldiering On are discussed in relation to literature about health beliefs and choices of CAM or conventional treatments. Conclusions. Future research could include mixed-method designs to further explore issues of knowledge, beliefs, and control that feed into the role of gatekeepers to treatment, as well as comparing CAM choices between public and privately-funded healthcare.
B7-1/B7-2 Costimulation Regulates Plaque Antigen–Specific T-Cell Responses and Atherogenesis in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor–Deficient Mice

Background—Several lines of evidence indicate that T-cell responses influence the progression of atherosclerotic disease. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ)–producing T cells specific for lesional antigens, including oxidized LDLs and heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), may promote lesion development as well as plaque instability. B7-1 and B7-2 are closely related molecules expressed on antigen-presenting cells that provide costimulatory signals for T-cell activation. This study tested the hypothesis that the ability of T cells to influence atherosclerosis depends on B7-1/B7-2 costimulation. Methods and Results—B7-1/B7-2/LDL receptor (LDLR)–deficient mice and LDLR-deficient control mice were fed a 1.25% cholesterol or control diet for 8 and 20 weeks. Total serum cholesterol levels and extent and phenotype of atherosclerosis were analyzed. Splenic and lymph node CD4+ T cells from the animals were cultured with mouse recombinant HSP60 or media and antigen-presenting cells and analyzed for IFN-γ and interleukin-4 production. The absence of B7-1 and B7-2 significantly reduced early cholesterol diet–induced atherosclerotic lesion development in LDLR-deficient mice compared with B7-1/B7-2–expressing control mice. Furthermore, CD4+ T cells from the cholesterol-fed B7-deficient mice secreted a significantly lower amount of IFN-γ in response to mouse HSP60 in vitro than did T cells from B7-expressing control mice. Conclusions—The data show that B7-1 and B7-2 regulated the development of atherosclerotic lesions and the priming of lesional antigen–specific T cells. This study highlights the B7-CD28 pathway as a potentially important target for immunomodulation of atherosclerosis.
Expectation, satisfaction, and predictors of dropout in cardiac rehabilitation

Background: Despite the evidence of benefit many patients fail to adhere to cardiac rehabilitation (CR). This study aims at describing the rate, reasons, and predictors of dropout from CR, as well as expectations und satisfaction among participants. Methods: Prospective analysis of demographic, medical, and psychosocial data in a large cohort of consecutive participants of outpatient CR. Results: Between 1999 and 2008, 2521 consecutive patients were enrolled in CR and complete data for analysis were available in 2371 patients. Diagnoses were coronary heart disease in 85%, valvular heart disease in 15%, and other in 10%. Mean age was 59.7 ± 11.4 years; 85% were male. Specific expectations towards CR were identified in a subgroup of participants and satisfaction was high in 75% of patients. Early dropout was noted in 305 patients (12.9%); reasons for dropout were cardiac in 39 (1.7%) and non-cardiac in 266 (11.2%). Significant differences between dropouts vs. completers were: peak exercise capacity (116 ± 41 vs. 123 ± 39 Watt, p = 0.003); body mass index (28 ± 7 vs. 27 ± 4 kg/m2, p = 0.04); prevalence of diabetes (18 vs. 13%, p = 0.011); smoking (32 vs. 16%, p < 0.001); being professionally active (24 vs. 34%, p = 0.007); widowhood (8 vs. 3%, p = 0.04); higher education (37.5 vs. 46.4%, p = 0.003); white collar work (21 vs. 27%, p = 0.012); and scales of a quality-of-life score (p < 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed low exercise capacity, high body mass index, smoking, diabetes, and widowhood to be significant independent predictors for early dropout. Conclusion: In the present study we demonstrated a low rate of mainly non-cardiac dropout from outpatient CR in motivated and largely satisfied participants. In order to improve adherence, early attention and close supportive counselling is recommended in patients with low exercise capacity and those who are obese, diabetic, smokers, or bereaved of a partner.
Effluent Free Radicals are Associated with Residual Renal Function and Predict Technique Failure in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

♦ Objective: Residual renal function (RRF) is associated with low oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis (PD). In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the impact of oxidative stress on RRF and patient outcomes during PD. ♦ Methods: Levels of free radicals (FRs) in effluent from the overnight dwell in 45 outpatients were determined by electron spin resonance spectrometry. The FR levels, clinical parameters, and the level of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine were evaluated at study start. The effects of effluent FR level on technique and patient survival were analyzed in a prospective cohort followed for 24 months. ♦ Results: Levels of effluent FRs showed significant negative correlations with daily urine volume and residual renal Kt/V, and positive correlations with plasma β2-microglobulin and effluent 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine. A highly significant difference in technique survival (p < 0.05), but not patient survival, was observed for patients grouped by effluent FR quartile. The effluent FR level was independently associated with technique failure after adjusting for patient age, history of cardiovascular disease, and presence of diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001). The level of effluent FRs was associated with death-censored technique failure in both univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate (p < 0.01) hazard models. Compared with patients remaining on PD, those withdrawn from the modality had significantly higher levels of effluent FRs (p < 0.005). ♦ Conclusions: Elevated effluent FRs are associated with RRF and technique failure in stable PD patients. These findings highlight the importance of oxidative stress as an unfavorable prognostic factor in PD and emphasize that steps should be taken to minimize oxidative stress in these patients.
Alien Donors: The Participation of Non-Citizens in the U.S. Campaign Finance System

In the closing weeks of the 1996 presidential race, press reports uncovered that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) had received large contributions from a number of individuals in the United States who were not American citizens. The articles publicized a little-scrutinized but longstanding set of legal standards governing the participation of aliens in the campaign finance system. Among those rules is a prohibition on donations from foreign sources. Because some of the immigrants who gave to the Democrats retained connections to overseas business interests, their contributions looked suspicious-and a scandal was born. That controversy now threatens to push Congress in the direction of taking a constitutionally suspect policy and making it worse. Campaign finance controls have been described as providing "a formal, public opportunity for the people of a state through their lawmaking organs to decide whether foreign participation in their elections should be permitted or prohibited. "' More than thirty years ago, Congress decided, for the first time, to take steps to limit this manifestation of overseas influence in the U.S. political scene. Federal law currently prohibits "foreign nationals" (defined to include foreign governments and corporations, as well as temporary visitors from abroad) from making contributions in connection with any campaign for elective office. ' Rulemaking by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in 1989 extended these statutory restrictions-which reach federal, state, and local elections but not ballot initiatives-to all expenditures as well. ' However, immigrants admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence are exempt from these restraints and are thus free to fund U.S. political campaigns. The ability of these legal permanent residents (LPRs) to exercise candidate and party preferences provides them a significant entrde into the American political