cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanical modulation of pressure-volume characteristics of contracted canine airways in vitro

In normal humans and dogs, the airways do not constrict to closure even when maximally stimulated. However, airway closure can be produced in isolated canine lobes and bronchial segments that are stimulated with maximal concentrations of bronchoconstrictors. These observations suggest that under normal conditions, physiological mechanisms to limit bronchoconstriction exist in vivo. In this investigation, we evaluated how mechanical factors that influence airway smooth muscle contractility contribute to the modulation of the pressure-volume characteristics of contracted canine intraparenchymal airways in vitro. Our results demonstrated that maximal and even submaximal contractile stimuli can produce airway closure in bronchi that are allowed to contract under isobaric conditions. However, the effectiveness of bronchoconstrictors is significantly reduced when the airways are subjected to tidal volume oscillations during contraction. In addition, airways contracted isovolumetrically at low volumes exhibit a markedly reduced sensitivity to submaximal concentrations of acetylcholine. This may limit bronchoconstriction at low lung volumes and transpulmonary pressures where the effectiveness of parenchymal stress in keeping the airways open is reduced. Together these factors could provide a mechanism by which bronchoconstriction is limited to low levels of airway resistance under normal conditions in vivo.
Speaker, Setting, Subject, and Theme

It is always important in reading a poem to consider who is talking. Even though the word “I” is used in the poem, the poet may not be the speaker. The voice, whatever its origin—whether real or imagined, personal or impersonal—has an important function in a poem, for it is the owner of that voice to whom things happen, who feels an emotion or has a reflection to share; it is that speaker through whose eyes or from whose point of view a sequence of events or a series of details is presented.
State Failure and Transnational Terrorism: An Empirical Analysis

Based on a country panel from 1995 to 2013, this study examines the relationship between state failure and transnational terrorism with respect to perpetrator’s proximity to the target and logistical complexity of attacks. Using concentration curves and generalized estimating equation negative binomial models, the study shows that failed states experience significantly more transnational terrorism when the perpetrators are from the home country. But these states do not produce terrorists who cross borders and carry out attacks in other countries, neither do they attract foreign perpetrators. The latter suggests that conditions in failed states present major operational challenges to foreign terrorists. State failure also causes more logistically complex attacks due to lack of effective counterterrorism measures by failed states. The main results hold true for both relative and dichotomous measures of state failure.
Efficacy of the Novel Non-Quinone Based HSP-90 Inhibitor PU-H71 in JAK2V617F and MPLW515L-Induced Murine Models of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Abstract 3898 Poster Board III-834 The discovery of mutations in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in the majority of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) has led to the development of JAK2 kinase inhibitors for the treatment of these disorders. Although JAK2 inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in preclinical models and in early phase clinical trials, to date, JAK2 inhibitor treatment has not resulted in molecular responses or in improvements in blood counts. We therefore have investigated the effects of additional therapies that might provide benefit to patients with myeloproliferative disorders, including Hsp90 inhibition, which has been shown to abrogate oncogenic signaling pathways in other human malignancies. We analyzed the effect of PU-H71, a novel non-quinone based Hsp-90 inhibitor, in MPN cell lines, primary patient samples, and in animal models. PU-H71 treatment caused potent, dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth in isogenic cell lines expressing JAK2/MPL mutations, JAK2V617F-positive leukemia cell lines, and primary MPN patient samples, which was associated with induction of apoptotic cell death at clinically achievable concentrations. Further, we observed JAK2 degradation in cell lines and primary samples with PU-H71 treatment, and immunoprecipitation experiments documented association of JAK2 with HSP90 and with PU-H71, demonstrating that JAK2 is a client of the HSP90 chaperone complex. PU-H71 potently inhibited downstream signaling pathways, including STAT signaling, MAPK signaling, and AKT signaling in JAK2/MPL positive cell lines and primary samples. Most importantly, in vivo therapy with PU-H71 in mice expressing JAK2V617F or MPLW515L normalized peripheral blood counts, attenuated extramedullary hematopoiesis, and improved survival compared to vehicle treated mice. We observed reduction in total JAK2 expression in target organs from PUH-71 treated mice, and noted in vivo inhibition of signaling pathways in a manner analogous to in vitro studies. Taken together, these data indicate that Hsp90 inhibition, either alone or in combination with JAK2 inhibitors, may prove useful against human MPN. Disclosures: Levine:Novartis: Research Funding; TargeGen: Consultancy.
Novidades nas Convolvulaceae da flora amazônica

During a study of the Neotropical Convolvulaceae several novelties were found in Amazonia. Among these records is a new conbination (Ipomoea leprieurii D. Austin), two new species (Ipomoea carajasensis D. Austin and I. cavalcantei D Austin), and two South American taxa previously unknown in Amazonia (Operculina sericantha (Miguel) v. Ooststroom and Merremia wurdackii Austin & Staples).
Adult-onset cystic fibrosis liver disease: Diagnosis and characterization of an underappreciated entity

Cystic fibrosis (CF) liver disease (CFLD), a leading cause of death in CF, is mostly described in pediatric populations. Adult-onset CFLD lacks sufficient characterization and diagnostic tools. A cohort of CF patients without CFLD during childhood were followed for up to 38 years with serologic testing, imaging, and noninvasive fibrosis markers. Historical CFLD diagnostic criteria were compared with newly proposed CFLD criteria. Thirty-six CF patients were followed for a median of 24.5 years (interquartile range 15.6-32.9). By the last follow-up, 11 (31%) had died. With conventional criteria, 8 (22%) patients had CFLD; and by the new criteria, 17 (47%) had CFLD at a median age of 36.6 years (interquartile range 26.5-43.2). By the new criteria, those with CFLD had higher median alanine aminotransferase (42 versus 27, P = 0.005), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 26 versus 21, P = 0.01), direct bilirubin (0.13 versus 0.1, P = 0.01), prothrombin time (14.4 versus 12.4, P = 0.002), and AST-to-platelet ratio index (0.31 versus 0.23, P = 0.003) over the last 2 years of follow-up. Subjects with a FibroScan >6.8 kPa had higher alanine aminotransferase (42 versus 28U/L, P = 0.02), AST (35 versus 25U/L, P = 0.02), AST-to-platelet ratio index (0.77 versus 0.25, P = 0.0004), and Fibrosis-4 index (2.14 versus 0.74, P = 0.0003) and lower platelet counts (205 versus 293, P = 0.02). One CFLD patient had nodular regenerative hyperplasia. Longitudinally, mean platelet counts significantly declined in the CFLD group (from 310 to 230 U/L, P = 0.0005). Deceased CFLD patients had lower platelet counts than those alive with CFLD (143 versus 258 U/L, P = 0.004) or those deceased with no CFLD (143 versus 327U/L, P = 0.006). Conclusion: Adult-onset CFLD may be more prevalent than previously described, which suggests a later wave of CFLD that impacts morbidity; routine liver tests, radiologic imaging, noninvasive fibrosis markers, and FibroScan can be used algorithmically to identify adult CFLD; and further evaluation in other CF cohorts should be performed for validation. (Hepatology 2017;66:591–601).
Reactions of pesticides in soils.

Once a pesticide has destroyed the target organism, the compound has served its intended function and may remain as a residue in air, water, and soil. Residual pesticides in soils create two problems: (1) at nonphytotoxic concentrations pesticides or their metabolites may be absorbed into plants and eventually enter the food chain at levels below established tolerances; or (2) at phytotoxic levels (in the case of herbicides) they may injure or destroy subsequent crops. The latter situation is further confounded by recent evidence that other pesticides may interact with herbicides to cause synergistic phytotoxic effects or extend their persistence.
How To Drive a Flashing Electron Ratchet To Maximize Current

Biological systems utilize a combination of asymmetry, noise, and chemical energy to produce motion in the highly damped environment of the cell with molecular motors, many of which are “ratchets”, nonequilibrium devices for producing directed transport using nondirectional perturbations without a net bias. The underlying ratchet principle has been implemented in man-made micro- and nanodevices to transport charged particles by oscillating an electric potential with repeating asymmetric features. In this experimental study, the ratcheting of electrons in an organic semiconductor is optimized by tuning the temporal modulation of the oscillating potential, applied using nanostructured electrodes. An analytical model of steady-state carrier dynamics is used to determine that symmetry-breaking motion of carriers through the thickness of the polymer layer enables even temporally unbiased waveforms (e.g., sine) to produce current, an advance that could allow the future use of electromagnetic radiation to power ...
Use of military-themed first-person shooter games and militarism: An investigation of two potential facilitating mechanisms

Abstract This study explored the link between use of military-themed first-person shooter games and militaristic attitudes. Using cultivation theory as a backdrop, the present work suggested that moral disengagement and hostile attribution bias facilitate a positive relationship between military-themed first-person shooter game use and militaristic attitudes. Results of a path model indicated that moral disengagement did, in fact, serve as an intermediary in the relationship between military-themed first-person shooter game use and participant militarism. However, this study did not show any evidence that use of military-themed first-person games was statistically related to hostile attribution bias or that hostile attribution bias was associated with militaristic attitudes.
Sexual Dysfunctions and Asexuality in DSM-5

In the past 15 years or so, there has been a large increase in the amount of industry funding for sex research, as well as a backlash against the “medicalization” of female sexuality. During the same time, there has been a growing community of people identifying as “asexual,” which is often seen as a sexual orientation. This chapter considers the interaction of these in leading up to DSM-5, as well as concerns about clinical significance criteria and difficulties in distinguishing between “sexual dysfunctions” and “normal variation.”
A theory of debugging plans and interpretations

We present a theory of debugging applicable for planning and interpretation problems. The debugger analyzes causal explanations for why a bug arises to locate the underlying assumptions upon which the bug depends. A bug is repaired by replacing assumptions, using a small set of domain-independent debugging strategies that reason about the causal explanations and domain models that encode the effects of events. Our analysis of the planning and interpretation tasks indicates that only a small set of assumptions and associated repair strategies are needed to handle a wide range of bugs over a large class of domains. Our debugging approach extends previous work in both debugging and domain-independent planning. The approach, however, is computationally expensive and so is used in the context of the Generate, Test and Debug paradigm, in which the debugger is used only if the heuristic generator produces an incorrect hypothesis.
Elastic Demand Traffic Equilibrium

Congested urban transportation networks represent complex systems in which users interact so as to determine their cost-minimizing routes of travel between their points of origin and their destinations. The concept of “user-optimization” dates to Wardrop (1952). This concept is to be contrasted with that of “system-optimization” (see, e.g., Dafermos and Sparrow (1969)) in which the total cost in the network, as represented by a single objective function, is to be minimized.
Innovation and IP: Intellectual Property Law and Innovation by William Van Caenegem (Review)

‘Innovation’ has become the watchword of the twenty-first century. It is used to describe everything from new communication technologies and businesses to the latest web postings. More to the point, ‘innovation’ has become a talisman for both those who support strong protection for intellectual property rights (IPR) as well as for those who reject intellectual property (IP) protection in favour of an exclusive ‘public domain’. In clear, concise language and easy to understand analogies, William van Caenegem in his latest work Intellectual Property Law and Innovation has placed himself wisely between these two warring camps. Neither an apologist for a system that is often described by its detractors as ‘imperialistic’ or based on out-moded property based values, nor a blind supporter of the public domain above all other interests, van Caenegem walks a difficult middle road, one that coldly views the conflicts inherent in any IP system while recognising that, despite its limitations, IPR can play an important role in supporting industrial innovation.
A nutrigenetic approach for investigating the chemopreventive effects of black raspberries during the development of preneoplastic esophagi in rats.

Background Large epidemiological studies have shown that diets high in fruits reduce the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Objective The current study investigated the effects of black raspberries (BRBs) on gene expression during the development of preneoplastic esophagi in rats. Methods Using a post-initiation protocol, F344 rats were injected with N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA) and then fed either a control diet or 5% BRBs. At weeks 9, 15, and 35, we euthanized subgroups of the rats and collected preneoplastic esophagi to isolate RNA samples for DNA microarray. Results Along the development of NMBA-induced preneoplastic esophagi, NMBA injections led to differential expression of 1181 genes comparing to control rats, and dietary BRBs modulated 428 genes in esophagi from NMBA-treated rats. There are 137 common genes between 1181 and 428 gene sets, and BRBs significantly reversed the expression of 133 genes. These genes are associated with multiple gene oncology functions. BRBs induced an 8.8-fold gene enrichment on the pathway of inflammatory response and regulated 10 genes involved in this pathway. Among them, BRBs significantly reversed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as CCL2, S100A8, and IL19. Conclusions BRBs exhibit strong anti-inflammatory effects against NMBA-induced rat esophageal tumorigenesis.
Analysis of Value-Based Costs of Undesignated School Stock Epinephrine Policies for Peanut Anaphylaxis.

Importance Children experiencing anaphylaxis at school may lack access to a personal epinephrine device, prompting recent legislation permitting undesignated (eg, non–student specific) stock epinephrine autoinjector units at school. However, epinephrine device costs vary, and the cost-effectiveness of undesignated school stock epinephrine is uncharacterized to date. Objective To define value-based strategies for undesignated school stock epinephrine programs. Design, Setting, and Participants Markov simulations of the Chicago Public Schools system were used over extended time horizons to model 2 school stock epinephrine autoinjector policies to provide access for at-risk students. The dates of the data used in the analysis were September 2017 to June 2018 (the 2017-2018 school year). Main Outcomes and Measures This study compared the following 3 strategies: no school undesignated epinephrine supply, school undesignated supplemental epinephrine supply (supplemental model), and school undesignated universal epinephrine supply (universal model). The base-case model assumed a 10-fold reduced fatality risk with having undesignated stock epinephrine units available vs not having undesignated stock epinephrine units available. Costs of school stock epinephrine units available for acquisition by schools were evaluated from a societal perspective. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and total epinephrine acquisition expenses were calculated. Results Based on Markov simulations of the Chicago Public Schools system (371 382 students), the cost was $107 816 (95% CI, $107 382-$108 250) for no school undesignated epinephrine supply compared with $108 160 (95% CI, $107 725-$108 595) for the supplemental model and $100 397 (95% CI, $99 979-$100 815) for the universal model. Undesignated stock epinephrine improved outcomes, with 26.869 (95% CI, 26.841-26.897) QALYs accrued as the model concluded compared with 26.867 (95% CI, 26.839-26.896) QALYs for the strategy without undesignated stock epinephrine. When comparing supplemental model stock epinephrine to the strategy without undesignated devices, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was high at $268 811 per QALY in the base-case simulation. However, the cost of the supplemental model fell below $100 000 per QALY when the annual undesignated epinephrine acquisition costs did not exceed $338 per school (compared with stock epinephrine unavailability). The universal model dominated all others and was associated with significant cost savings ($7419 per student at risk who would otherwise be prescribed an individual school epinephrine supply). Conclusions and Relevance Undesignated school stock epinephrine is cost-effective at device acquisition costs not exceeding $338 per school per year, although a universal model vs a supplemental model is associated with superior health and economic outcomes.
Predicting children's school grades: Unique and interactive effects of parental beliefs and child inattention/hyperactivity symptoms.

Parental beliefs about school involvement are key in predicting individual differences in children's academic success. The current study examined unique and interactive relations between parental beliefs and child inattention/hyperactivity symptoms in predicting children's achievement. Participants (N = 348) were caregivers of children aged 8-12. Caregivers completed questionnaires regarding their beliefs and their child's inattention/hyperactivity and achievement. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated lower child inattention/hyperactivity and greater parental confidence in their ability to help their child academically predicted better achievement. Parent/child interactions probed with simple slopes suggested an achievement gap for children with higher inattention/hyperactivity only when their parents felt less efficacious or more responsible for their child's academic success. This suggests parent self-efficacy may buffer the negative relation between children's inattention/hyperactivity symptoms and underachievement, and parents of children with higher inattention/hyperactivity may increasingly assume responsibility for their success due to feedback from the school. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Academic achievement predicts several short- and long-term outcomes for children. Parental involvement beliefs are multi-faceted and predict children's academic success. Child inattention/hyperactivity symptoms are related to lower academic achievement. What does this study add? It provides specificity of previous relations for children with a range of inattention/hyperactivity symptoms. It identifies parental self-efficacy as a promising moderator of the relation between child behaviour and academics. It provides a preliminary evidence base for future work on the role of parental beliefs in child academic outcomes.
APPLICATION OF MACHINE LEARNING TO DETERMINE TOP PREDICTORS OF NON-CALCIFIED CORONARY PLAQUE BURDEN IN PSORIASIS

Psoriasis, a chronic systemic inflammatory disease, is associated with elevated non-calcified coronary plaque burden (NCB) and increased cardiovascular (CV) events. In this study, we used machine learning (ML) as a tool to determine the top predictors of NCB, which is prone to rupture and cause
Experimental Venous Congestion Causes Peripheral Release of Angiopoietin-2 and Tissue Necrosis Factor-α - A New Insight into the Pathophysiology of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in CF-LVAD Patients

Purpose Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) from angiodysplasia is the most frequent cause of readmission in LVAD patients. Angiogenesis, inflammation and coagulopathy as well as venous congestion (VC) are hypothesized to contribute to GIB pathophysiology. We used an established experimental model of peripheral VC to investigate whether increased venous pressure alters plasma levels of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vonWillebrand factor (vWF). Methods 42 ambulatory patients with NYHA functional class II or III, LVEF Results Patients were 54±12 years, 32% female, with mean LVEF=22±8% and 32% had an ischemic etiology. Pretest, baseline plasma levels of Ang-2, TNF-α and vWF were 6.73±0.70 ng/ml, 1.90±0.10 pg/ml, and 1.52±0.14 U/ml, respectively. Plasma Ang-2 and TNF-α increased in the congested (vs control arm) after 90 minutes of VC: 7.01±0.71 vs 6.69±0.67 ng/ml, p Conclusion We provide the first evidence that experimental peripheral VC is sufficient to increase circulating angiogenic and inflammatory biomarkers in HF patients. Future studies are warranted to investigate whether aggressive control of peripheral VC may prevent development and/or progression of angiodysplasia and thereby reduce the risk of GIB in CF-LVAD patients.
Assessment of Use, Specificity, and Readability of Written Clinical Informed Consent Forms for Patients With Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy

Importance Appropriate informed consent processes are crucial to preservation of patient autonomy and shared decision making. Although half of patients with cancer receive radiotherapy, it is unknown whether current consent practices are comprehensible for patients. Objective To characterize use, specificity, and readability of clinical informed consent forms for radiotherapy, hypothesizing that forms would be higher than the recommended sixth- to eighth-grade readability level. Design, Setting, and Participants This nationwide cross-sectional survey study and readability analysis was conducted from 2016 to 2018 and included 89 academic radiation oncology departments that were part of the 2016 Electronic Residency Application Service. Department leaders (clinical directors, chairs, and personal contacts of study authors) at academic radiation oncology departments were contacted via email. Main Outcomes and Measures Readability levels were measured by 7 validated readability indices, including the Ford, Caylor, Sticht (FORCAST) index for nonnarrative texts. Difficult words were identified usingThe Living Word Vocabulary, which describes the readability grade levels of 40 000 common words. Results Of 89 departments, 67 (75%) responded to questions and 57 (64%) provided 113 forms for analysis. Departments providing forms did not differ substantially from others in terms of region, residency size, research output, rural vs urban location, or public vs private institution status. All departments obtained patient written informed consent before radiotherapy; 38 (57%) used body site–specific forms. Using the most conservative (low-score) estimate, mean form readability ranged from grade level 10.6 to 14.2. By 7 distinct indices, only 9 (8%) of 113 forms met the recommended eighth-grade readability level, and 4 (4%) forms met a sixth-grade level. Not a single form met either recommendation based on the FORCAST index. Forms used an average of 7.2 difficult words. Body site–specific forms had considerably better readability than general consent forms. Conclusions and Relevance This nationwide study of informed consent practices for cancer treatment with radiotherapy demonstrates that while all US academic radiotherapy departments use written consent forms, it is rare for templates to meet the recommended readability levels for patient materials. These data suggest the need for reevaluation and modification of the approach to radiotherapy consent, ideally with guidance and templates designed by national professional organizations.
Trends in Prevalence of Protective Levels of Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Among Adults Aged 18-49 Years With Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Virus Infection-United States, 2003-2014.

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be prevented through vaccination. However, previous data show that only about 24%-45% of US adults at high risk of HBV infection are protected. Our aims were to assess prevalence and trends in protective levels of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) from 2003 to 2014 and explore factors associated with protection among adults at high risk. Methods Data were taken from the 2003-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys. Our sample included adults aged 18-49 years who were tested for HBV and reported at least 1 of the following infection risks: history of sexually transmitted disease, sex with men (for men), infection with human immunodeficiency virus, and injection drug use. We calculated the prevalence of anti-HBs (≥10 mIU/mL), indicative of immunity from vaccination, among respondents for three 4-year time intervals (2003-2006, 2007-2010, and 2011-2014) and applied the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test to assess trends. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined factors associated with positive anti-HBs serology. Results The prevalence of positive anti-HBs serology was 23.4%. Prevalence increased from 2003-2006 (16.3%) to 2007-2010 (27.3%), but no change occurred from 2007-2010 (27.3%) to 2011-2014 (28.1%). Among factors predicting positive anti-HBs serology were young age and higher education. Conclusions By 2014, less than one-third of adults aged 18-49 years at risk of infection exhibited protective antibodies ≥10 mIU/mL. Because these adults account for a majority of unprotected adults, targeted intervention strategies are essential to achieve the hepatitis B elimination goal.
The M135 E’telier: Addressing the Needs of Nonart Majors in Secondary and Postsecondary Art Education Programs

This article describes secondary- and postsecondary-level students who might not be seriously interested in art but are required to take an introductory studio art course to fulfill a graduation re...
The impact of race relations on NFL attendance: An econometric analysis.

Recent protests by athletes focused on raising awareness of social issues and injustices, such as the Black Lives Matter protests led by Colin Kaepernick of the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, have generated a great deal of attention and debate within society. Notably, the protests conducted by these players before games in the 2016 and 2017 seasons became such a sensational topic, that extraordinary amounts of attention was paid to it by the media, consumers, and even politicians who often denounced the players as being unpatriotic. Against this backdrop, the current research examines whether fluctuations in attendance at National Football League games are associated with explicit attitudes towards race, implicit racial prejudice, and racial animus within a population. Specifically, using multiple measures of racial attitudes as part of an econometric model estimating attendance at games, the results suggest that having a higher level of implicit bias in a market leads to a decline in consumer interest in attending games. Additionally, using interaction effects, it is found that while protests generally reduced the negative effects of implicit bias on attendance, markets with lower levels of implicit bias actually had greater declines of attendance during the protests. From this, the current study advances the understanding of racial attitudes and racial animus, and its impact on consumer behavior at the regional level. That is, this research highlights that racial sentiments in a local market were able to predict changes in market behaviors, suggesting that race relations can have wide reaching impacts.
Safety and efficacy of transitioning from the combination of bosentan and sildenafil to alternative therapy in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The combination of bosentan and sildenafil is commonly used to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); however, there is evidence of a significant drug interaction between these ...
Planting depth - effective agricultural practice perventing lodging of seedstalks of onion seeds

At the breeding site of the winter onion variety Ellan, the effect of the planting depth of mother bulbs of two fractions on lodging of stems and seed productivity was studied. It was found that in winter, with the depth of planting the bulbs in the soil horizon, the processes of differentiation and the formation of microstalks noticeably slow down, and the biochemical composition of the bulbs shows a decrease in the activity of metabolic processes. Thanks to this and the buffering properties of the soil, the safety of plants in winter is very high when planted to a depth of 15 cm. Deeper planting has a negative effect on the growth of leaves. At a planting depth of 15-20 cm, the stems remain upright due to the soil layer. The angle of inclination of 82 ... 86% of the stems is not more than 450 and occupies no more than 50 cm of the width of the projection of the row. When planted to a depth of 10 cm, the stems crumble, agronomic measures, the phytosanitary state of seed production and harvesting are hampered. It was found that the effect of bulb size on seed productivity of one stem is 42%. The increase in planting for the yield of one plant and the yield is 44 ... 45%. When setting seed onions, it is recommended to plant uterine bulbs to a depth of 15 cm. This planting depth ensures the maximum safety of the bulbs in winter, excludes lodging of the stems and the maximum possible seed yield. There is no need for additional hilling or tying of the stems, as with a planting depth of 10 cm.
NOX1 Attenuates Mesothelial-Mesenchymal Transition Through Modulation of ROS Mediated Signaling

Pleural organization may occur after empyema or complicated parapneumonic effusion and can result in restrictive lung disease with pleural fibrosis (PF). Pleural mesothelial cells; PMCs, may contribute to PF through acquisition of a profibrotic phenotype; meso-mesenchymal transition (MesoMT), which is characterized by increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and other myofibroblast markers. While MesoMT has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PF, the role of the reactive oxygen species and the NADPH oxidase family in pleural remodeling remains unclear. Here we show that NOX1 expression is enhanced in nonspecific human pleuritis. and is induced in PMCs by thrombin. 4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE), an indicator of reactive oxygen species damage, was likewise increased in our mouse model of pleural injury. NOX1 downregulation blocked thrombin- and Xa-mediated MesoMT as did pharmacological inhibition of NOX1 with ML-171. NOX1 inhibition also reduced phosphorylation of Akt, p65, and Tyrosine 216-GSK-3β, signaling molecules previously shown to be implicated in MesoMT. Conversely, ML-171 did not reverse established MesoMT. NOX4 down-regulation attenuated TGF-β- and thrombin-mediated MesoMT. However, NOX1 downregulation did not affect NOX4 expression. NOX1 and NOX4 deficient mice were also protected in our mouse model of S. pneumoniae-mediated pleural fibrosis. These data show that NOX1 and NOX4 are critical determinants of MesoMT.
Semantic and Syntactic Perspective on Mood Selection in Spanish. An Analysis on Presuposition, Government and Binding

Farley discusses both semantic and syntactic perspectives on Spanish mood. First, he presents the potential effects of assertion, presupposition, and other similar notions on mood selection in Spanish, synthesizing semantic analyses by Bolinger, Terrell, Hooper, Klein, and Bell Farley then argues that a semantic perspective is insufficient to fully account for the behavior of indicatives and subjunctives, and he presents Spanish mood from a Principles and Parameters perspective on Universal Grammar. Specifically, he addresses the issue of binding domains, the movement ofoperators, and the Empty Category Principle as it relates to the behavior of indicatives and subjunctives in null subject languages.
The Geography of Jewish Intermarriage in Five U.S. Urban Areas

Mixed marriage is arguably the most important social force shaping American Jewish life in the twenty-first century. The relevant sociological literature has examined different kinds of connections between mixed-married couples and the Jewish community, including synagogue membership and how children are raised. No one has yet studied where mixed-married couples live relative vis-a-vis other Jews. I address three questions: (1) to what extent do intermarried couples live near other Jews? Do they live in “core” Jewish areas or do they live far from Jewish population concentrations? (2) How do the sizes of the Jewish population and recent growth trends affect residential patterns? (3) Does living in a “Core” Jewish area have outcomes for intermarried couples? Are they more likely to be engaged in Jewish life as a consequence of living in a Jewish area? This research compares the residential patterns of in-married and mixed-married couples in Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Phoenix. The first three have stable Jewish population growth. Atlanta and Phoenix are Sunbelt metro areas experiencing rapid population growth (Jewish and general). Distinct core areas were most visible in the three stable communities. Jewish core areas were less visible in the two rapid growth Sunbelt communities. In all five communities in-married were more likely than mixed-married couples to live in “Core” Jewish areas; the latter were more likely to live in the suburban fringes. Mixed-married couples in “Core” areas were more likely to belong to a synagogue in Baltimore, Atlanta, and Phoenix and those living in zip codes of high Jewish density were more likely to have Jewish friends than those in low-density zip codes. Mixed-married couples in higher Jewish density zip codes were more likely to raise their children in Judaism than those in low Jewish density zip codes on the suburban fringe.
Effects of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) phosphorus nutrition on nodulation and dinitrogen fixation

Cells of Bradyrhizobium japonicum were grown in media containing either 1.0 mM or 0.5 μM phosphorus. In growth pouch experiments, infection of the primary root of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) by B. japonicum USDA 31, 110, and 142 was significantly delayed when P-limited cells were applied to the root. In a greenhouse experiment, B. japonicum USDA 31, 110, 122, and 142 grown with sufficient and limiting P were used to inoculate soybeans which were grown with either 5 μM or 1 mM P nutrient solution. P-limited cells of USDA 31 and 110 formed significantly fewer nodules than did P-sufficient cells, but P-limited cells of USDA 122 and 142 formed more nodules than P-sufficient cells. The increase in nodule number by P-limited cells of USDA 142 resulted in significant increases in both nodule mass and shoot total N. In plants grown with 1 mM P, inoculation with P-limited cells of USDA 110 resulted in lower total and specific nitrogenase activities than did inoculation with P-sufficient cells. Nodule numbers, shoot dry weights, and total N and P were all higher in plants grown with 1 mM P, and plants inoculated with USDA 31 grew poorly relative to plants receiving strains USDA 110, 122, and 142. Although the effects of soybean P nutrition were more obvious than those of B. japonicum P nutrition, we feel that it is important to develop an awareness of the behavior of the bacterial symbiont under conditions of nutrient limitation similar to those found in many soils.
Protein starvation and the small intestine. I. The growth and morphology of the small intestine in weanling rats.

Abstract Weanling rats completely deprived of dietary protein fail to increase in weight, fail to add length to the small intestine, and fail to exhibit villous growth in the ileum. By contrast, jejunal villi of protein-starved rats grow at a rate approximating that of control rats. It is suggested that amino acids present in the chyme are preferentially utilized for maintenance of jejunal structure.
The Long Road to Reform: An Analysis of Foreign Investment Reform in Vietnam

In the mid-I 980s, Vietnam opened its borders to international investment in hopes of improving its economic atmosphere. The Vietnamese government launched new initiatives and passed new laws to facilitate and encourage Foreign Direct Investment in its ailing economy. However, after an examination of recent changes, this Note concludes that further reform is still required in order to encourage the necessary Foreign Direct Investment that will help aid Vietnam's feeble economy and allow it to prosper as the next great Asian economic
Channel assignment in virtual cut-through switching based wireless mesh networks

Conventional wireless networks employ a contention based channel access mechanism, which not only imposes high latency but also reduces goodput of the network. Lack of interference estimation algorithms over the entire network results in unpredictable collision, packet loss and retransmissions. Advances in multicarrier modulation techniques enable us to group subcarriers into orthogonal subchannels and treat them separately as information carriers. While this provides an increased number of non-interfering channels, intelligent utilization of the given spectrum is also required. In this paper, a solution for decreasing latency in mesh networks has been proposed by aptly incorporating a virtual cut-through switching technique to route packets in the network. To alleviate the impact of interference on packet reception, we also propose a fast pair-wise interference detection scheme, which is used for channel allocation. The cumulative performance of the proposed protocol shows improvement over existing Wi-Fi based mesh networks that provide a motivating platform for future protocol developments using this technique.
A digital video watermarking method by associating with the motion estimation

This paper proposes a new digital video watermarking method by associating with motion vectors of P-frame and inserting flag bits of watermarks into the macro block of the referred I-frame. According to the experimental results, the proposed methods are efficient in terms of increase of watermark bits by 3 times more than that of the method changing motion vector itself by half pixel. And also the quality of watermarked picture is very high with more than 39 dB in SNR and the extracted watermark bits with no error. Therefore, the watermarking techniques are useful in digital video watermarking, especially, for MPEG encoder.
Pilot Workload and Speech Analysis: A Preliminary Investigation

Prior research has questioned the effectiveness of speech analysis to measure the stress, workload, truthfulness, or emotional state of a talker. The question remains regarding the utility of speech analysis for restricted vocabularies such as those used in aviation communications. A part-task experiment was conducted in which participants performed Air Traffic Control read-backs in different workload environments. Participant's subjective workload and the speech qualities of fundamental frequency (F0) and articulation rate were evaluated. A significant increase in subjective workload rating was found for high workload segments. F0 was found to be significantly higher during high workload while articulation rates were found to be significantly slower. No correlation was found to exist between subjective workload and F0 or articulation rate.
The Effect of Histones on the Enzymatic Synthesis of Ribonucleic Acid

Abstract The nature of the interaction between histones and deoxyribonucleic acid, and the effects of such complexes on the synthesis in vitro of ribonucleic acid, have been studied. Polycation inhibition of the RNA polymerase reaction appeared to be proportional to the adenine plus thymine content of the DNA primer. The extent of inhibition was also influenced by both the net positive charge and the size of the inhibitor. Aggregates were formed when the polycation reacted with the DNA primer in situ. The size of the aggregates was proportional to the concentration of polycation present. The RNA polymerase product formed in the presence of histones was both smaller and of different base ratio and sequence than the normal product formed in the absence of the inhibitor. Nearest neighbor frequency patterns of RNA formed from several different DNA primers under conditions of inhibition by different polycations have been reported. These results indicated that nearest neighbor frequency changes depended on the type of DNA primer as well as the type of inhibitor. There appeared to be no exact correlation between the effects of arginine- and lysine-rich histones and those of the related polycations, protamine and polylysine. The base composition and nearest neighbor frequencies of the RNA product formed under conditions of inhibition suggest that polycations can cause unequal copying of complementary sequences of the DNA primer.
The Effect of Intravenous Immunoglobulin on Regulatory T Cells and Disability Progression in Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (P7.090)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether regulatory T cell numbers increase and correlate with a delay in disability progression after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disease that may cause severe disability due to irreversible neurological damage. Regulatory T cells are neuroprotective in many autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, evidence suggests that the numbers and function of regulatory T cells are deranged in CIDP. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has significant short and long-term benefit in patients with CIDP, but it is unknown whether IVIg affects regulatory T cells. DESIGN/METHODS: The study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board and is currently ongoing with nine enrolled patients with CIDP. Immediately after obtaining a baseline screening, which includes an adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment ( INCAT ) disability scale score, an overall motor strength assessment by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Sum Scale, maximum grip strength measurements, and a venous blood sample for regulatory T cell quantification, the patients begin treatment with IVIg. The patients are evaluated every 6 weeks for 24 weeks. At each evaluation, an INCAT disability scale score, MRC Sum Scale score, grip strength measurements and a blood sample are obtained. T-lymphocytes and their FoxP3 protein expression are assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Preliminary data indicate that treatment with IVIg results in improved disability and strength scores, and preserves the numbers of regulatory T cells (CD4 + /CD25 + /FoxP3 + T-lymphocytes). CONCLUSIONS: IVIg treatment for CIDP provides benefit in strength and disability over a 24 week time period, but more patients are needed to determine whether there are any effects on the regulatory T cell population in this ongoing clinical study. Study Supported by: GBS-CIDP Foundation Grant Disclosure: Dr. Thonhoff has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lay has nothing to disclose. Dr. Halton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Beers has nothing to disclose. Dr. Simpson has received personal compensation for activities with Groefels. Dr. Simpson has received research support from the CIDP/AIDP International Foundation.
Black oat cover crop management effects on soil temperature and biological properties on a Mollisol in Texas, USA

article i nfo Management of a black oat (Avena strigosa (Schreb.)) cover crop by mowing method (none, flail mowing, or sickle bar mowing) affected soil micro environmental conditions and soil microbial and chemical properties. Soil temperatures at depths of 0, 5, 10 and 20 cm were highest in flail mowed treatment plots (up to near 45 °C at 5 cm depth), followed by sickle bar mowed plots (averaging 10 °C lower at 5 cm depth). Lowest soil temperatures were maintained in plots that were not mowed; averaging 5 °C lower at 5 cm depth than the sickle bar mowed plots. Increasing temperature convergence was observed below 5 cm, with the highest temperature (flail mowed treatment) at 32 °C and the lowest (not mowed) at 27 °C. Microbial biomass increased significantly (Pb0.05) fromb100 mg C kg −1 soil in the late spring, to N150 mg C kg −1 in the early fall. β-glucosidase and alkaline phosphatase activities decreased slowly throughout the experiment, and were significantly greater (Pb0.05) only when comparing the not mowed treatment to both mowing treatments. Dissolved organic C (DOC) decreased sharply, perhaps due to rainfall. Similarly, soil inorganic N decreased sharply, from approximately 0.025 mg N kg −1 soil in the not mowed plots, to approximately 0.005 mg N kg −1 during a rainy period. Immobilization of N during rapid microbial biomass growth could also explain the decrease in inorganic N. While resin-extractable P was significantly higher in the not mowed treatment, few differences in extractable P were detected between either mowing treatment during the experiment. Standing oat residues maintained higher levels of soil enzyme activities and the lowest microbial biomass, suggesting that controlling contact of crop residues with the soil may introduce a rate limiting factor for residue decomposition. The timing of residue decomposition in this system may be delayed by leaving most of the plant biomass above the ground (i.e. not mowed or sickle bar mowed). These residue management factors may be important in controlling soil nutrient transformations and soil organic matter maintenance in subtropical climates. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Information Technologies in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), 1949&#x2013;1989

The German Democratic Republic made a major commitment to the manufacture and use of computers, following common practices embraced by communist regimes during the Cold War. This article describes the political, economic, and technical results from the founding of the GDR to its demise in 1989.
The PriA replication restart protein blocks replicase access prior to helicase assembly and directs template specificity through its ATPase activity.

Abstract The PriA protein serves as an initiator for the restart of DNA replication on stalled replication forks and as a checkpoint protein that prevents the replicase from advancing in a strand displacement reaction on forks that do not contain a functional replicative helicase. We have developed a primosomal protein-dependent fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay using a minimal fork substrate composed of synthetic oligonucleotides. We demonstrate that a self-loading reaction, which proceeds at high helicase concentrations, occurs by threading of a preassembled helicase over free 5′-ends, an event that can be blocked by attaching a steric block to the 5′-end or coating DNA with single-stranded DNA binding protein. The specificity of PriA for replication forks is regulated by its intrinsic ATPase. ATPase-defective PriA K230R shows a strong preference for substrates that contain no gap between the leading strand and the duplex portion of the fork, as demonstrated previously. Wild-type PriA prefers substrates with larger gaps, showing maximal activity on substrates on which PriA K230R is inactive. We demonstrate that PriA blocks replicase function on forks by blocking its binding.