Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Abundance, Life History, and Parasitism of Caloptilia porphyretica (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), a Leafminer of Highbush Blueberry

ABSTRACT The leafminer Caloptilia porphyretica Braun (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), has become a frequent pest in commercial highbush blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum L. , in New Jersey, but little is known about its seasonal abundance, life history, and parasitism rates. Monitoring programs were conducted from 2003 to 2006 on seven blueberry farms to determine the relative abundance of this leafminer by using pheromone-baited traps and by sampling vegetative and flower/fruit clusters and new shoot growth. We found at least three distinct generations per year, with populations reaching their highest peak in the second generation. Laboratory studies characterized the life history of C. porphyretica and its parasitoid Pholetesor sp. prob. salalicus (Mason). The developmental period of C. porphyretica, from egg to adult, took 927, 838, and 912 degree-days (DD) at 20, 25, and 30°C, respectively, by using a developmental threshold of 4.8°C. This was equivalent to an average of 892 DD to complete development to adult, which compared with 870 and 880 DD between the first and second, and second and third generations, respectively, by using pheromone trap data averaged from 2004 to 2006. Although C. porphyretica populations varied greatly, the number of larvae in cluster and new shoot samples was highly correlated with the number of adults in traps. Field parasitism rate was ≈29%, with the braconid Pholetesor sp. the most abundant parasitoid. Ten of the 13 parasitoid species collected belonged to the family Eulophidae. When different ages of leafminers were exposed to Pholetesor sp. , we found that the parasitoid attacks 9-15-d-old instars that reside in the mines of leaves.
Cloning, Expression, and Purification of Functional Sec11a and Sec11b, Type I Signal Peptidases of the Archaeon Haloferax volcanii

ABSTRACT Across evolution, type I signal peptidases are responsible for the cleavage of secretory signal peptides from proteins following their translocation across membranes. In Archaea, type I signal peptidases combine domain-specific features with traits found in either their eukaryal or bacterial counterparts. Eukaryal and bacterial type I signal peptidases differ in terms of catalytic mechanism, pharmacological profile, and oligomeric status. In this study, genes encoding Sec11a and Sec11b, two type I signal peptidases of the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii, were cloned. Although both genes are expressed in cells grown in rich medium, gene deletion approaches suggest that Sec11b, but not Sec11a, is essential. For purification purposes, tagged versions of the protein products of both genes were expressed in transformed Haloferax volcanii, with Sec11a and Sec11b being fused to a cellulose-binding domain capable of interaction with cellulose in hypersaline surroundings. By employing an in vitro signal peptidase assay designed for use with high salt concentrations such as those encountered by halophilic archaea such as Haloferax volcanii, the signal peptide-cleaving activities of both isolated membranes and purified Sec11a and Sec11b were addressed. The results show that the two enzymes differentially cleave the assay substrate, raising the possibility that the Sec11a and Sec11b serve distinct physiological functions.
Analisis Pengaruh Pertumbuhan Ekonomi, Jumlah Penduduk, Dan Pendidikan Terhadap Kemiskinan Di Jawa Tengah 2011-2015

ABSTRACT This study attempts to analyze the impact of economic growth, total population, education on poverty at Center of Java for 2011-2015. Analysis data method is regression of panel data. Research result shows that Fixed Effect Model (FEM) is the best regression of panel data model. Based from simultaneous test results that significant level α economic growth, total population and education are impacted on poverty at Center of Java for 2011-2015. Based from validity test, economic growth has positive impact on poverty, total population has negative impact on poverty, but education has no impact on poverty. Keywords : Economic Growth, Total Population, Education, and Poverty
Adrenomedullin Acts in the Rat Paraventricular Nucleus to Decrease Blood Pressure

Adrenomedullin is a recently discovered peptide involved in the control of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and cardiovascular function through peripheral and central nervous system actions. The present study was undertaken to examine the cardiovascular effects of adrenomedullin microinjection directly into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Microinjection of adrenomedullin into the PVN of urethane anaesthetized male Sprague‐Dawley rats resulted in site‐specific, repeatable decreases in blood pressure. These hypotensive effects were found to be dose related, and were not mediated by activation of calcitonin gene‐related peptide receptors. These data suggest that adrenomedullin influences cardiovascular regulation through receptor mediated actions at the PVN of the hypothalamus.
FbpC Is Not Essential for Iron Acquisition inNeisseria gonorrhoeae

ABSTRACT The fbpABC locus of Neisseria gonorrhoeaehas been proposed to encode a periplasmic protein-dependent iron transport system. Although the function of the gonococcal FbpA protein has been well characterized and its role as a periplasmic binding protein is well defined, little is known about the function of the FbpB and FbpC proteins. To define the function of the gonococcal FbpC protein, an N. gonorrhoeae F62 fbpC mutant was constructed by insertional inactivation with the kanamycin gene. TheN. gonorrhoeae F62 fbpC mutant was observed to grow with heme, transferrin, or ferric nitrate as the sole exogenous iron source, indicating that the gonococcal FbpC protein is not absolutely required for growth with these iron sources. In previous studies we were unable to detect fbpB- orfbpC-specific transcripts by Northern analysis. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis with RNA obtained from N. gonorrhoeae F62 grown under iron-replete and -depleted conditions detected fbpA and fbpAB transcripts but failed to detect fbpC or fbpBC transcripts. These results indicate that FbpC does not play a pivotal role in iron transport in N. gonorrhoeae and suggest that additional ABC transport systems are functional in the gonococcus for the acquisition of iron.
Do prescription monitoring programs impact state trends in opioid abuse/misuse?

OBJECTIVE Prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) are statewide databases containing prescriber and patient-level prescription data on select drugs of abuse. These databases are used by medical professionals or law enforcement officials to identify patients with prescription drug use patterns indicative of abuse or providers engaging in illegal activities. Most states have implemented PMPs in an attempt to curb prescription drug abuse and diversion. However, assessment of their impact on drug abuse is only beginning. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between PMPs and opioid misuse over time in two drug abuse surveillance data sources. METHODS Data from the RADARS® System Poison Center and Opioid Treatment surveillance databases were used to obtain measures of abuse and misuse of opioids. Repeated measures negative binomial regression was applied to quarterly surveillance data (from 2003 to mid-2009) to estimate and compare opioid abuse and misuse trends. PMP presence was modeled as a time varying covariate for each state. RESULTS Results support an association between PMPs and mitigated opioid abuse and misuse trends. Without a PMP in place, Poison Center intentional exposures increased, on average, 1.9% per quarter, whereas opioid intentional exposures increase 0.2% (P = 0.036) per quarter with a PMP in place. Opioid treatment admissions increase, on average, 4.9% per quarter in states without a PMP vs 2.6% (P = 0.058) in states with a PMP. In addition to the time trend, population and a measure of drug availability were also significant predictors. A secondary analysis that classified PMP based upon ideal characteristic showed consistent though not significant results. CONCLUSIONS Two observational data sources offer preliminary support that PMPs are effective. Future efforts should evaluate what PMP characteristics are most effective and which opioids are most impacted.
Creating, Synthesizing, and Sharing: The Management of Knowledge in Public Health.

OBJECTIVES To better understand the applicability of knowledge management (KM) in public health (PH) as a strategy to improve planning and decision making. DESIGN AND SAMPLE The study was designed as a narrative inquiry; a form of storytelling research. Qualitative data were collected through interviews designed to gain participants' stories about planning processes. Twenty-four participants from six PH Units in Ontario, Canada. MEASURES We performed a secondary analysis to better understand the use of KM strategies, techniques, and approaches. Findings were compared to a preliminary KM framework supporting knowledge processes within a dynamic, interactive context. RESULTS Analysis showed that while KM strategies are supported informally, it is most often done in an ad hoc manner. Participants acknowledged a gap in their knowledge sharing practices. CONCLUSION PH professionals are ready to apply KM in PH as an approach to facilitate planning and decision making. The proposed KM framework incorporates partnerships to adapt to the realities of PH context. Consideration of KM strategies can improve information organization, partnerships and decision making, as well as contribute to current PH reforms aimed at strengthening the health care system. This presents an opportunity to integrate formalized methods of knowledge use and knowledge sharing among PH employees using a KM approach.
Accuracy of volumetric measurements after virtual right hepatectomy in potential donors undergoing living adult liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate accuracy for determining the total and lobar liver volumes using a multidetector CT scanner in potential donors undergoing living adult right lobe liver transplantation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Fifty-two adult donors underwent CT using a multidetector scanner after IV injection of 180 mL of contrast material. For volumetric determination, portal venous phase images were acquired at 60 sec. Hand-tracing was used to isolate the entire liver, and a curved hepatectomy plane was then identified in a manner simulating the surgical incision. Two observers performed hand-tracing of the entire liver to calculate total liver volume, and of the right lobe to calculate expected graft volume. RESULTS The mean volume of the entire liver, right lobe, and left lobe was 1807 mL, 990 mL, and 817 mL, respectively, for observer 1, and 1788 mL, 1007 mL, and 781 mL, respectively, for observer 2. There was significant agreement between the two observers in determining total and lobar liver volumes (r = 0.996, 0.977, and 0.965 for total, right lobe, and left lobe volumes, respectively; p< 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two observers in measuring total or lobar liver volumes (p< 0.0001). There was significant agreement between right lobe volume measured by each observer and graft weight obtained in 14 donors at surgery (r = 0.898 and 0.879, for observers 1 and 2, respectively; p <0.001). CONCLUSION Total and lobar volume determinations after virtual right hemihepatectomy provides accurate and reproducible information that is critical in selecting potential living liver donors.
A weekly bout of eccentric exercise is sufficient to induce health-promoting effects.

PURPOSE The effects of chronic eccentric-only versus concentric-only exercise on muscle physiology and blood biochemistry were investigated. METHODS Twenty women performed on an isokinetic dynamometer a concentric (n = 10;mean ± SEM: age = 21.0 ± 0.4 yr, body fat = 22.0% ± 0.9%) or an eccentric (n = 10, age = 20.0 ± 0.3 yr, body fat = 23.2% ± 0.7%) exercise session using the knee extensors of both lower limbs once a week for eight subsequent weeks. Muscle function (isometric, concentric, and eccentric peak torque, range of movement, and soreness) was evaluated before, immediately after, and 48 h postexercise in each one of the eight training weeks. Body fat, resting energy expenditure (REE), lipid, and carbohydrate oxidation rate as well as blood chemistry measurements (lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profile, glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, and creatine kinase) were examined before and 48 h postexercise at the first and eighth week of training. RESULTS Acute eccentric exercise increased REE and fat oxidation at week 1 (12.7% and 12.9%, respectively) and at week 8 (0.7% and 2.8%, respectively). Chronic eccentric exercise increased resting REE and fat oxidation at week 8 compared with week 1 (5.0% and 9.9%, respectively). Acute eccentric exercise improved blood lipid profile at week 1 and week 8. Chronic eccentric exercise improved resting blood lipid profile at week 8. Acute eccentric exercise increased insulin resistance at week 1 but not at week 8. Chronic eccentric exercise decreased resting insulin resistance at week 8. CONCLUSION It is reported for the first time that only 30 min of eccentric exercise per week for 8 wk was sufficient to improve health risk factors.
PSA testing: are patients aware of what lies ahead?

INTRODUCTION Screening for prostate cancer with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) remains a controversial topic. The UK NHS Executive has issued extensive guidance stressing the importance of adequate counselling prior to performing this test. This study aims to assess men's knowledge of the PSA test at the time of their referral and their attitude towards screening. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 219 men referred to urology via the 'fast track' prostate cancer service were recruited into the study. Of these, 191 were referred from primary care and 28 from secondary care. All men completed a questionnaire regarding their knowledge and expectation of the test. RESULTS The response rate for completed questionnaires was 100%. Overall, 91 (41.5%) men were aware that their PSA had been performed prior to referral and only 79 (36%) men understood why the test was being done. Patients referred from secondary care appeared to be better informed. Despite these figures, 175 (80%) men said they would recommend PSA testing to a friend or colleague, and 196 (89%) men said the test should be broadly publicised. CONCLUSIONS Nearly two-thirds of the men referred to urology with an elevated PSA were unaware that they had even had their PSA done. Information about the limitations of PSA testing and the consequence of a positive test result had been deficient. Informed counselling for the PSA test should form part of the consultation of any physician intending to undertake this test whether for lower urinary tract symptoms or for prostate cancer screening.
High collagen type I and low collagen type III levels in knee joint contracture

We studied the levels of collagen type I and type III in the knee joints of rats immobilized for periods of 2, 4, 16 and 32 weeks and sham-operated controls. The intensities of immunostaining of the anterior and posterior synovial intima, anterior and posterior subintima, and patellar tendon were graded on a scale from 0 to 3. We found higher type I collagen levels in immobilized legs than in sham-operated legs in the anterior subintima after 4 and 16 weeks (mean score 2.1 vs 1.3, 2.2 vs 1.3, respectively) and posterior subintima after 2, 4 and 16 weeks of immobility (2.4 vs 1.7, 2.3 vs 1.5, 2.2 vs 1.3, respectively). Lower type III collagen levels were found in immobilized legs than in sham-operated legs in the anterior synovial intima after 32 weeks (1.3 vs 2.3), and posterior synovial intima and posterior subintima after 16 weeks of immobility (1.4 vs 2.8, 1.2 vs 1.7, respectively). The higher type I collagen levels in the subintima combined with lower type III suggests that the contracture process is marked by fibrosis, not new tissue proliferation. In this respect, contractures differ from granuloma, scar tissue and the pannus of inflammatory arthritis.
Changes in body and head dimensions in urban Sardinian children (3-5 years) from 1986 to 2001

Primary objectives : The study describes and discusses the changes in body and head dimensions of urban pre-school children from Sardinia in a 15-year period. Methodology : The mean values of 11 anthropometric variables measured in 2001 in 414 children (209 males, 205 females) from 3 to 5 years old were compared with those measured in 1986 in 262 coeval children (131 males, 131 females). The t -test was used to evaluate whether the differences between the two samples, divided by sex, were statistically significant. Results : For each age class and sex, the differences between the means were significant for the following anthropometric variables: weight, stature, estimated lower limb length, biacromial breadth, bicristal breadth, body mass index, relative sitting height index, head length, and cephalic index. In contrast, the differences between the means were not significant for sitting height and head breadth. Conclusions : The pre-school children of Cagliari measured in 2001 were on average taller and especially heavier than their same-sex peers measured in 1986; the increase in height was clearly due to the increased length of the lower limbs. The transverse dimensions of the trunk also increased, while its length remained largely the same. Head length also increased, while the relative sitting height and cephalic indexes decreased.
The Comparative Experiences of Women in Control

Purpose: The purpose was to characterize participants’ experiences of a diabetes self-management (DSM) education program delivered via a virtual world (VW) versus a face-to-face (F2F) format. Methods: Participants included a randomly selected sample of participants who completed the Women in Control study. Four focus groups were conducted with 32 participants. Four researchers coded the data and conducted a qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Four overarching themes were identified. Three domains apply to both VW and F2F formats, including (1) the value of DSM knowledge gained, (2) cultivating DSM attitudes and skills, and (3) the value of peer-derived social support. The fourth domain is labeled positive technological development for DSM (VW condition only). VW and F2F groups both reported mastery of DSM knowledge, attitudes, and skills, and there were no differences in peer-derived social support between groups. The technological aspects of VW participation afforded VW participants a unique sense of personal agency and diabetes self-efficacy not reported by F2F participants. Conclusions: DSM education in a VW is feasible and educational outcomes are similar to a F2F classroom experience. Furthermore, learning DSM skills in a VW offers unique advantages in supporting personal agency for health behavior change. Further research is warranted.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a mitochondrial dicarboxylate/tricarboxylate transporter gene in Citrus junos response to aluminum stress

A mitochondrial dicarboxylate/tricarboxylate carrier gene, CjDTC, was isolated from Citrus junos by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends and the Y-shaped adaptor-dependent extension methods. It consisted of a 472-base pair (bp) upstream regulatory region and an 897-bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 299 amino acids. Homologous analysis revealed that CjDTC protein might be a plant dicarboxylate/tricarboxylate carrier protein involved in the mitochondria dicarboxylate/tricarboxylate transport. The putative light responsiveness and salicylic acid responsiveness regulatory elements were identified in the upstream regulatory region of CjDTC. Southern blot analysis demonstrated the presence of a single CjDTC gene located on the genome of citrus. As shown by northern hybridization, CjDTC was expressed in all plant tissues examined and the highest transcript level was observed in roots with significantly lower transcript amounts in leaves and stems. Moreover, real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that CjDTC expression was induced by aluminum treatment, suggesting that CjDTC protein might be involved in the excretion of organic acids and rhizotoxic aluminum tolerance.
Ties that Bind: Estimating the Natural Rate of Interest for Small Open Economies

Abstract This paper estimates the natural rate of interest for six small open-economies (Australia, Canada, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K.) with a structural New Keynesian model using Bayesian techniques. Our empirical analysis establishes the following four main findings: First, we show that the open economy framework provides a better fit of the data than its closed economy counterpart for the six countries we investigate. Second, we also show that, in all six countries, a Taylor (1993)-type monetary policy rule that tracks the Wicksellian short-term natural rate fits the data better than a rule that does not. Third, we show that the natural interest rates of all six countries have shifted downwards and strongly co-moved with each other over the past 35 years. Fourth, our findings illustrate that foreign output shocks (spillovers from the rest of the world) are a major contributor to the dynamics of the natural rate in these six small open-economies and that those natural rates strongly comove also with the existing U.S. natural rate estimates.
Combining population projections with quasi-likelihood models: A new way to predict cancer incidence and cancer mortality in Austria up to 2030

BACKGROUND The current demographic changes with a shift toward older ages contribute to more cancer cases in the next decades in Western countries. Thus, forecasting the demand for expected healthcare services and expenditures is relevant for planning purposes and resource allocation. OBJECTIVE In this study, we provide a new method to estimate future numbers of cancer cases (newly diagnosed cancers and cancer deaths) using Austrian data. METHODS We used 1983–2009 data to estimate cancer burden trends using quasi-Poisson regression models, which we then applied to official population projections up to 2030. Specific regression models were estimated for cancer incidence and mortality, disaggregated by sex and 16 tumor sites. RESULTS The absolute number of cancer cases increased continuously during the last decades in Austria. The trend will also continue in the near future, as the number of newly diagnosed cancers and cancer deaths will increase by +14% and +16% between 2009 and 2030. Age-standardized individual risk of being newly diagnosed with or die from 1 Statistics Austria, Vienna, Austria. 2 Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. * Correspondence to daniela.haluza@meduniwien.ac. at. ‡ Authors contributed equally. Klotz et al.: Demographic changes and future morbidity rates 504 http://www.demographic-research.org cancer will be substantially lower in 2030 compared to 2009 (–14% and –16%, respectively). CONTRIBUTION Our novel method combining population projections with quasi-likelihood models found a falling individual risk for cancer burden in the Austrian population. However, the absolute number of new cancer cases and deaths will increase due to the aging of the population. These estimates should be considered when planning future healthcare demands.
Modelling Momentum Winner/Loser Asymmetry: The Sources of Winner and Loser Returns in the Asx200 and S&P500

There is an established body of work showing that the sources of momentum returns change over time. This paper finds that there is also winner/loser asymmetry – that the sources of the winner and loser components of momentum returns differ from each other at the same point in time. Together, these results raise concerns about the prospect of finding a single cause for momentum profits, as most efforts to date have tried to do. Rather, they indicate that investigation should proceed using time‐varying, nonparametric and ensemble techniques.