EVALUATING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION FOR MARKET WINDOWS AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS

Crop Production/Industries,

Evidence for Integrin – Venus Kinase Receptor 1 Alliance in the Ovary of Schistosoma mansoni Females Controlling Cell Survival

Parasites of the genus Schistosoma cause schistosomiasis, a life-threatening infectious disease for humans and animals worldwide. Among the remarkable biological features of schistosomes is the differentiation of the female gonads which is controlled by pairing with the male and a prerequisite for egg production. Eggs, however, are not only important for the maintenance of the life-cycle; they also cause the pathological consequences of schistosomiasis. Part of the eggs gets trapped in host tissues such as liver and spleen and trigger inflammatory processes, finally leading to liver cirrhosis. Research activities of the last decade have indicated that different families of cellular and receptor-type kinases but also integrins contribute to the control of mitogenic activity and differentiation the female goands. In this context an unusual class of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has been identified, the venus kinase receptors (SmVKRs). By biochemical and molecular approaches we demonstrate that SmVKR1 activation can be achieved by cooperation with a signaling complex consisting of the beta integrin receptor Smß-Int1 and the bridging molecules SmILK, SmPINCH, SmNck2. Besides unravelling a novel way of SmVKR1 activation, we provide evidence that this complex controls the differentiation status of oocytes by regulating cell death-associated processes

Evaluating Dryland Crop/Livestock System Alternatives for Risk Management under Declining Irrigation in the Texas Panhandle

Production budgets for dryland crop and crop/livestock systems are developed to estimate yields, costs and returns for dryland wheat and sorghum and for alternative dryland crop/livestock systems. A crop simulation model aids yield estimation. The yield and return distributions are used to estimate risk and relative risk for included alternatives.Relative Risk, Ogallala Aquifer, Crop-Livestock Systems, Wheat, Sorghum, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis,

On the spectrum of hypergraphs

Here we study the spectral properties of an underlying weighted graph of a non-uniform hypergraph by introducing different connectivity matrices, such as adjacency, Laplacian and normalized Laplacian matrices. We show that different structural properties of a hypergrpah, can be well studied using spectral properties of these matrices. Connectivity of a hypergraph is also investigated by the eigenvalues of these operators. Spectral radii of the same are bounded by the degrees of a hypergraph. The diameter of a hypergraph is also bounded by the eigenvalues of its connectivity matrices. We characterize different properties of a regular hypergraph characterized by the spectrum. Strong (vertex) chromatic number of a hypergraph is bounded by the eigenvalues. Cheeger constant on a hypergraph is defined and we show that it can be bounded by the smallest nontrivial eigenvalues of Laplacian matrix and normalized Laplacian matrix, respectively, of a connected hypergraph. We also show an approach to study random walk on a (non-uniform) hypergraph that can be performed by analyzing the spectrum of transition probability operator which is defined on that hypergraph. Ricci curvature on hypergraphs is introduced in two different ways. We show that if the Laplace operator, $\Delta$, on a hypergraph satisfies a curvature-dimension type inequality $CD (\mathbf{m}, \mathbf{K})$ with $\mathbf{m}>1$ and $\mathbf{K}>0$ then any non-zero eigenvalue of $- \Delta$ can be bounded below by $\frac{ \mathbf{m} \mathbf{K}}{ \mathbf{m} -1 }$. Eigenvalues of a normalized Laplacian operator defined on a connected hypergraph can be bounded by the Ollivier's Ricci curvature of the hypergraph

More than Words: A Systematic Review on the Contributions of Synonymy in Language Learning

The use of synonyms in language learning offers numerous benefits, including vocabulary expansion, contextual understanding, and language variety. This systematic literature review gives birth to the contributions of synonymy in language acquisition based on a number of researches that have been published in a number of publications and are accessible in a number of online databases. It focuses explicitly on examining the different uses of synonymy and its effect on acquiring a language. The data which was plotted on the repertory grid were analyzed to identify the gaps in the research conducted.The findings of the study established five (5) significant roles synonymy holds in language acquisition: word substitution, sense, and context relation, register identification, repetition avoidance, and language embellishment. The results of this study provide English teachers with a deeper insight into the impact of synonymy on students' language acquisition.Consequently, this study allows teachers to reflect with more excellent knowledge of the main benefits involved in the use of synonyms in teaching/learning English. Besides, the knowledge of synonyms instills confidence in language learners. It allows them to communicate more precisely and flexibly, leading to increased fluency and proficiency in the language. Thus, to make the most of synonymy in language learning, learners should pay attention to the subtle differences between synonyms, learn their appropriate usage in different contexts, and practice incorporating them into their active vocabulary., and practice incorporating them into their active vocabulary. Keywords: language learning, systematic literature review, synonymy DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/98-02 Publication date:August 31st 202

A Lagrangian analysis of the impact of transport and transformation on the ozone stratification observed in the free troposphere during the ESCOMPTE campaign

The ozone variability observed by tropospheric ozone lidars during the ESCOMPTE campaign is analyzed by means of a hybrid-Lagrangian modeling study. Transport processes responsible for the formation of ozone-rich layers are identified using a semi-Lagrangian analysis of mesoscale simulations to identify the planetary boundary layer (PBL) footprint in the free troposphere. High ozone concentrations are related to polluted air masses exported from the Iberian PBL. The chemical composition of air masses coming from the PBL and transported in the free troposphere is evaluated using a Lagrangian chemistry model. The initial concentrations are provided by a model of chemistry and transport. Different scenarios are tested for the initial conditions and for the impact of mixing with background air in order to perform a quantitative comparison with the lidar observations. For this meteorological situation, the characteristic mixing time is of the order of 2 to 6 days depending on the initial conditions. Ozone is produced in the free troposphere within most air masses exported from the Iberian PBL at an average rate of 0.2 ppbv h^−1, with a maximum ozone production of 0.4 ppbv h^−1. Transport processes from the PBL are responsible for an increase of 13.3 ppbv of ozone concentrations in the free troposphere compared to background levels; about 45% of this increase is attributed to in situ production during the transport rather than direct export of ozone

Clinical Influences in the Multidisciplinary Management of Small Renal Masses at a Tertiary Referral Center

Introduction We designed a multidisciplinary Small Renal Mass Center to help patients decide among treatment options and individualize therapy for small renal masses. In this model physicians and support staff from multiple specialties work as a team to evaluate and devise a treatment plan for patients at the same organized visit. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 263 patients seen from 2009 to 2014. Monitored patient characteristics included age, Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index, nephrometry score, tumor size and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify patient characteristics associated with each treatment choice. Results Of the cohort 88 patients elected active surveillance, 64 underwent ablation and 111 were treated with surgery, including partial and radical nephrectomy in 74 and 37, respectively. There were significant associations between treatment modality and age, Charlson comorbidity index, tumor size and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Mean patient age at presentation was 61.1 years. Patients with a high Charlson comorbidity index score (greater than 5) or a decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (less than 60 ml/minute/1.73 m2) were more likely to undergo active surveillance (41.6% and 35%) and ablative therapy (29.6% and 34%) vs partial nephrectomy (10.6% and 9%, respectively, each p \u3c0.001). On multivariable analysis age, tumor size and estimated glomerular filtration rate remained significantly associated with modality after adjustment for all other factors (each p \u3c0.001). Conclusions The Small Renal Mass Center enables patients to assess the various treatment modalities for a small renal mass in a single setting. By providing simultaneous access to the various specialists it provides an invaluable opportunity for informed patient decision making. © 2016 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc

Reformulation initiative for partial replacement of saturated with unsaturated fats in dairy foods attenuates the increase in LDL cholesterol and improves flow-mediated dilatation compared with conventional dairy: the randomized, controlled REplacement of SaturatEd fat in dairy on Total cholesterol (RESET) study

Background Modifying dairy fat composition by increasing the MUFA content is a potential strategy to reduce dietary SFA intake for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in the population. Objectives To determine the effects of consuming SFA-reduced, MUFA-enriched (modified) dairy products, compared with conventional dairy products (control), on the fasting cholesterol profile (primary outcome), endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD; key secondary outcome), and other cardiometabolic risk markers. Methods A double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover 12-wk intervention was conducted. Participants with a 1.5-fold higher (moderate) CVD risk than the population mean replaced habitual dairy products with study products (milk, cheese, and butter) to achieve a high-fat, high-dairy isoenergetic daily dietary exchange [38% of total energy intake (%TE) from fat: control (dietary target: 19%TE SFA; 11%TE MUFA) and modified (16%TE SFA; 14%TE MUFA) diet]. Results Fifty-four participants (57.4% men; mean ± SEM age: 52 ± 3 y; BMI: 25.8 ± 0.5 kg/m2) completed the study. The modified diet attenuated the rise in fasting LDL cholesterol observed with the control diet (0.03 ± 0.06 mmol/L and 0.19 ± 0.05 mmol/L, respectively; P = 0.03). Relative to baseline, the %FMD response increased after the modified diet (0.35% ± 0.15%), whereas a decrease was observed after the control diet (−0.51% ± 0.15%; P< 0.0001). In addition, fasting plasma nitrite concentrations increased after the modified diet, yet decreased after the control diet (0.02 ± 0.01 μmol/L and −0.03 ± 0.02 μmol/L, respectively; P = 0.01). Conclusions In adults at moderate CVD risk, consumption of a high-fat diet containing SFA-reduced, MUFA-enriched dairy products for 12 wk showed beneficial effects on fasting LDL cholesterol and endothelial function compared with conventional dairy products. Our findings indicate that fatty acid modification of dairy products may have potential as a public health strategy aimed at CVD risk reduction. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02089035