cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Safety and Efficacy of Continuous Tirofiban as a Monoantiplatelet Therapy in the Management of Ruptured Aneurysms Treated Using Stent-Assisted Coiling or Flow Diversion and Requiring Ventricular Drainage

Background Hemorrhagic complications are a major concern for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients treated with stenting or stent-assisted coiling and undergoing additional procedures such as shunting, ventriculostomy placement, and craniotomies/craniectomies. Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of using a continuous infusion of tirofiban as a monoantiplatelet therapy in the management of ruptured aneurysms in the setting of either stent-assisted coiling (SAC) or flow diversion devices (FDD) in patients requiring either an external ventricular drain (EVD) or ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). Methods Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients between July 2017 and September 2018 who were treated with SAC or FDD were started on a continuous tirofiban infusion protocol (0.10 μg/kg/min) with no preceding loading dose as a monoantiplatelet therapy. Safety analysis was performed retrospectively to assess the complication rate, hemorrhagic rate, and rate of ischemic events. There were no hemorrhages related to the VPS surgery. Results Nineteen subjects were included in the series. The patients received a total of 25 procedures that included 19 EVDs and 6 VPSs. Two patients (8.3%) developed small asymptomatic track hemorrhages after EVD placement. One patient developed a large retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to renal artery branch injury during procedure, and another patient developed an idiosyncratic transient thrombocytopenia which resolved after stopping the medication. One patient (4%) developed a transient ischemic attack, which resolved after a bolus of tirofiban. Conclusion Our study suggests that long-term use of intravenous tirofiban monotherapy in aSAH subjects for endovascular SAC or FDD is safe in the perioperative setting.
Dose-Dependent Association of Gabapentinoids with Pulmonary Complications After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasties.

Background Gabapentinoids are commonly prescribed in perioperative multimodal analgesia protocols. Despite widespread use, the optimal dose to reduce opioid consumption while minimizing risks is unknown. We assessed dose-dependent effects of gabapentinoids on opioid consumption and postoperative pulmonary complications following total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA). We hypothesized that use of a gabapentinoid on the day of THA or TKA is associated with an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications in a dose-response fashion compared with the risk for patients who did not receive the drug. Methods Using the Premier Database, we identified adults who underwent elective primary THA or TKA from 2009 to 2014. The exposure was receipt of a gabapentinoid (gabapentin or pregabalin) on the day of surgery. Gabapentin dose was categorized into 5 groups: none, 1 to 350, 351 to 700, 701 to 1,050, and >1,050 mg per day. Pregabalin dose was categorized into 4 groups: none, 1 to 110, 111 to 250, and >250 mg per day. The primary outcome was a composite of postoperative pulmonary complications, defined as respiratory failure, pneumonia, reintubation, pulmonary edema, noninvasive ventilation, or invasive mechanical ventilation. Results Of 858,306 patients who underwent THA or TKA, 11.0% received gabapentin and 10.2% received pregabalin. The mean age (and standard deviation) of the patients was 65.6 ± 10.7 years, 39.6% were male, 78.2% were Caucasian, and 55.2% were covered by Medicare. In multilevel regression analysis, receipt of gabapentinoid at any dose on the day of surgery was associated with increased odds of postoperative pulmonary complications. Compared with no exposure to the drug being used by the particular group, all dose ranges of gabapentin and pregabalin were associated with greater odds of postoperative pulmonary complications (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval = 1.51, 1.40 to 1.63, for >1,050 mg of gabapentin and 1.81, 1.57 to 2.09, for >250 mg of pregabalin). We found no clinically meaningful associations between exposure to either gabapentin or pregabalin and perioperative opioid consumption or the length of the hospital stay. Conclusions Exposure to gabapentinoids at any dose on the day of THA or TKA was associated with increased odds of postoperative pulmonary complications in a dose-response fashion, with minimal effects on perioperative opioid consumption. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Investigating immediacy in multiple-phase-change single-case experimental designs using a Bayesian unknown change-points model

Immediacy is one of the necessary criteria to show strong evidence of treatment effect in single-case experimental designs (SCEDs). However, with the exception of Natesan and Hedges (2017), no inferential statistical tool has been used to demonstrate or quantify it until now. We investigate and quantify immediacy by treating the change points between the baseline and treatment phases as unknown. We extend Natesan and Hedges' work to multiple-phase-change (e.g. ABAB) designs using a variational Bayesian (VB) unknown change-point model. VB was used instead of Markov chain Monte Carlo methods (MCMC), because MCMC cannot be used effectively to determine multiple change points. Combined and individual probabilities of correctly estimating the change points were used as indicators of the algorithm's accuracy. Unlike MCMC in the Natesan and Hedges (2017) study, the VB method was able to recover the change points with high accuracy even for short time series and in only a fraction of the time for all time-series lengths. We illustrate the algorithm with 13 real data sets. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of the unknown change-point approach, and the Bayesian and variational Bayesian estimation for SCEDs.
Pharmacotherapy in COVID-19; A narrative review for emergency providers.

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging due to a lack of established therapies and treatment guidelines. With the rapid transmission of disease, even the off-label use of available therapies has been impeded by limited availability. Several antivirals, antimalarials, and biologics are being considered for treatment at this time. The purpose of this literature review is to synthesize the available information regarding treatment options for COVID-19 and serve as a resource for health care professionals. Objectives This narrative review was conducted to summarize the effectiveness of current therapy options for COVID-19 and address the controversial use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). PubMed and SCOPUS were queried using a combination of the keywords “COVID 19,” “SARS-CoV-2,” and “treatment.” All types of studies were evaluated including systematic reviews, case-studies, and clinical guidelines. Discussion There are currently no therapeutic drugs available that are directly active against SARS-CoV-2; however, several antivirals (remdesivir, favipiravir) and antimalarials (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine) have emerged as potential therapies. Current guidelines recommend combination treatment with hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin or chloroquine, if hydroxychloroquine is unavailable, in patients with moderate disease, although these recommendations are based on limited evidence. Remdesivir and convalescent plasma may be considered in critical patients with respiratory failure; however, access to these therapies may be limited. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonists may be used in patients who develop evidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Corticosteroids should be avoided unless there is evidence of refractory septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), or another compelling indication for their use. ACE inhibitors and ARBs should not be discontinued at this time and ibuprofen may be used for fever. Conclusion There are several ongoing clinical trials that are testing the efficacy of single and combination treatments with the drugs mentioned in this review and new agents are under development. Until the results of these trials become available, we must use the best available evidence for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Additionally, we can learn from the experiences of healthcare providers around the world to combat this pandemic.
Chapter 25 – Infrared Heating

The food industry has the pressing need to develop and adopt novel energy-efficient, less water–intensive, and environment-friendly technologies, while at the same time delivering high-quality and safe processed food products. The use of infrared radiation heating for food and agricultural processing has emerged as a novel and sustainable technology for various food thermal processing operations, including drying, blanching, peeling, baking, roasting, pasteurization and sterilization, among other unit operations in food processing. The attractive merits of the infrared heating in these applications include high heat delivery rate, no need for heating medium, reduced processing time, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced product quality and safety without significant negative environmental footprint. The authors include the principles and the latest novel engineering approaches and applications of infrared radiation heating to process food and agricultural products. The chapter serves as a significant database of research references on infrared application for food and agricultural processing and is expected to be of great value to food process engineers and quality control and safety managers in food processing and food manufacturing operations, educators, and researchers.
Prince as the Post-Civil Rights Archetype: Navigating between Assimilation and Self-Determination

Prince opened the doors of diversity and opportunity for his race, ensuring that African Americans are seen as the beautiful bouquet that they are. By refusing to allow anyone but himself to define...
Why are consistently-handed individuals more authoritarian? The role of need for cognitive closure.

Recent studies indicate that individuals with consistent hand preference are more authoritarian than individuals whose preference is relatively inconsistent. We explored the role of epistemic needs...
Introduction to the Special Issue “Fat Matter(s): The Art-Science(s) of Future Body-Making”

This themed issue explores the erasure of non-normative bodies within conceptual and material spaces of creative, scientific, and technological future making. It focuses on offering a critical unde...
Effectiveness and fitness of production line to meet customers’ demand

Abstract Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is a widely accepted key performance indicator (KPI) to measure the effectiveness of total productive maintenance (TPM). However, OEE does not take customers’ demands into consideration and may encourage overproduction. Fitness to Takt Time (FiTT) is a modified OEE that measures not only the equipment’s effectiveness but also its fitness to the ideal production rate based on customers’ demand. However, just like OEE, FiTT measures the fitness of a single machine on the production line. To extend our analysis of the entire production system, this paper aims to provide a method in which the FiTT metric is expanded to measure the fitness of the entire production line. In this method, a similar approach to measure OEE for a manufacturing line (OEEML) is considered. The proposed method successfully captured the manufacturing line’s effectiveness and fitness to meet customers’ demands. An example is provided to illustrate the importance of the proposed method of uncovering improvement opportunities and encouraging continuous improvement towards optional excellence.
Sludge retention time impacts on polyhydroxyalkanoate productivity in uncoupled storage/growth processes

The process involving mixed microbial cultures (MMCs) and waste-based substrates emerged as an alternative solution to reduce the market price of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). The selection of an efficient MMC that displays a significant PHA accumulation potential and a high growth rate is considered a key factor for the MMC PHA production feasibility. This study used a pilot plant to investigate the dynamics of growth vs storage in a mixed culture fed with fermented fruit waste under uncoupled carbon and nitrogen feeding. Varying sludge retention times (SRTs) (2 and 4 d) and organic loading rates (OLRs) (from 2.6 to 14.5 gCOD.L.d) were imposed for this purpose. Results showed that, regardless of the OLR imposed, cultures selected at lower SRT grew faster and more efficiently using stored PHA. However, they had inferior specific storage rates and accumulation capacity, resulting in lower PHA productivity. Additionally, the polymer storage yield was independent of the SRT, and was directly linked with the abundance of putative PHA-storers in the MMC. The high PHA productivity (4.6 ± 0.3 g.L.d) obtained for the culture selected at 4 d of SRT was 80% above that obtained for the lower SRT tested, underlining the importance of achieving a good balance between culture growth and accumulation capacity to increase the viability of the PHA-producing process from wastes.
Tax news in good and bad times

Abstract We investigate whether the effect of tax news depends on the state of the economy. Using U.S. quarterly data, we show that news about future tax cuts are more contractionary during recessions. This nonlinearity is mainly due to the response of durable consumption and, especially, nonresidential investment.
Social networks and spatial-temporal analyses for winter storm Jupiter in the US in 2017

This study sheds new light on understanding human sentiment for Winter storm Jupiter according to the whole US states and different periods based on qualitative and quantitative analyses. This study finds that Twitter users upload their tweets to share important messages for the winter storm, such as weather changes and road conditions. Next, some people think that governments use the winter storm to move people’s attention from the serious problems in their life to the weather issue. Third, people are highly interested in a temporary school or workplace closing and weather forecast channels in the winter storm week. Fourth, tweets have the most frequent keywords, such as day, ice, and today, which are related to the weather during the winter storm. Lastly, the spatial pattern of the proportion of tweets is differentiated by regions and periods.
Dynamic shape control of sub-regions of linear elastic beams by self-stress actuation

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a paper that discusses dynamic shape control of subregions of linear elastic beams by self-stress actuation. Control can be realized by sources of self-stress acting in the linear elastic background beam. In many practical applications, it is sufficient to control only a subregion of the beam. Self-stress can only be applied within the subregion. This chapter investigates distribution of self-stress. which—when superimposed on the disturbance—results in a zero displacement and cross-sectional rotation of the subregion of the beam given the transient external disturbance of the beam. Only deflection and cross-sectional rotation relative to a motion that satisfies nonhomogenous kinematic boundary conditions are zero. The relative motion of the subregion then can be represented by a convolution integral. Hence, it vanishes if the kernel of the convolution integral vanishes. This latter condition is met if the self-stress resultants correspond to the statically admissible bending moment and transverse shear force.
Students at Risk for Being Reported for Cheating

Student cheating has always been a problem in higher education, but detection of cheating has become easier with technology (Bertram Gallant 2008). As a result, more students are being caught and reported for cheating. While reporting cheating is not a negative, the rippling effects of reported cheating (e.g., reduced time to degree) may be felt by some populations (e.g., first-generation college students, international students) more than others. Thus, preventing cheating would be a preferable option for all involved.
S-phase detection with an antibody to bromodeoxyuridine. Role of DNase pretreatment

We have previously described a monoclonal antibody (BU-1) to 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd) that is useful for measurement of cell cycle S-phase. BU-1 hybridoma supernatant reacted with incorporated BrdUrd after the cells had been ethanol fixed; without a requirement for acid or base denaturation. We have found that this reactivity is lost if purified antibody is used, if the culture supernatants are heated, or if a mycoplasma-free hybridoma line is isolated. The supernatant contained endogenous DNase activity that was a result of mycoplasma infection of the cell line. This DNase activity was required for staining the cells with BU-1 in the absence of other denaturation steps. The endogenous DNase could be substituted for by the addition of bovine pancreatic DNase I. The disruption of the double stranded DNA structure with an enzyme rather than with harsh chemical or heat treatments does not affect protein structure or cellular morphology and allows the detection of incorporated BrdUrd of morphologic or antigenic cell subsets. DNase pre-treatment may also be useful for detection of other 'hidden' DNA antigens.
Characterization of a Human Serum Inhibitor of Clostridium histolyticum Proteinase(s)

Normal animal sera inhibit at least one Clostridium histolyticum proteinase. An assay procedure based on immune hemolysis was developed for the estimation of this inhibition. This inhibitory activity occurs in various levels in the sera of different animal species. The highest titers have been obtained with rat sera. The inhibitory activity from human serum was isolated and purified 16- to 27-fold by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration and diethylaminoethyl cellulose or hydroxylapatite chromatography. The properties of the human serum inhibitor of the clostridial proteinase were compared with a trypsin inhibiting factor found in the partially purified preparations. Identical behavior of the two inhibitory factors was observed when measured by heat inactivation, beta-mercaptoethanol sensitivity, pH stability, and sucrose gradient centrifugation. The inhibitory factor has an approximate sedimentation coefficient (S(20,w)) of 17. Goat anti-alpha-2-macroglobulin specifically precipitated the clostridial proteinase inhibitor from a partially purified preparation.
Recent Results on Boolean Concept Learning

A recently introduced model of concept learning that pays particular attention to computational feasibility is described. Results relating to concepts representable as boolean formulae are reviewed with emphasis on general proof methods. Some of the methods can be used to show that certain classes of formulae are learnable in a highly convergent sense in polynomial time. Others can be used to give evidence that some classes are not so learnable. The final section discusses the various directions in which the model can be extended.
Dielectric behavior of polyelectrolytes: VII. Dielectric relaxation and Kerr effect of cylindrical biopolymers

Abstract A model forced diffusion equation is solved for the orientation of cylindrical biopolymers including the configuration of the counterions. The result is used to predict the dielectric relaxation and dynamical Kerr effect of a DNA oligomer for which experimental data appear in the literature. The significant advance in the formalism is the elimination of the counterion condensation assumption. A result is an improved fit of the model prediction to the experimental data. However, discrepancies persist at short times.
The design and implementation of the model constructing satisfiability calculus

We present the design and implementation of the Model Constructing Satisfiability (MCSat) calculus. The MCSat calculus generalizes ideas found in CDCL-style propositional SAT solvers to SMT solvers, and provides a common framework where recent model-based procedures and techniques can be justified and combined. We describe how to incorporate support ����or linear real arithmetic and uninterpreted function symbols m the calculus. We report encouraging experimental results, where MCSat performs competitive with the state-of-the art SMT solvers without using pre-processing techniques and ad-hoc optimizations. The implementation is flexible, additional plugins can be easily added, and the code is freely available.
Multiresolution GMTI radar

The detection and tracking of ground moving vehicles from airborne radar can be challenging at slow target velocities due to the close space-time (angle-Doppler) proximity of strong competing mainbeam clutter. Moreover, in complex non-stationary clutter environments, conventional space-time adaptive processing (STAP) cannot be relied upon to provide precision nulling. In this paper, we re-examine GMTI radar from a multiresolution perspective resulting in a hybrid radar mode combining elements of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with STAP GMTI. In particular, acute sources of clutter interference are resolved via quasi-SAR processing, and then combined with STAP GMTI to significantly reduce minimum detectable velocities, reduce the required DOFs, increase available training set size, and lower SINR loss and false alarms.
Options and the Analysis of Technology Projects

The traditional method of analyzing corporate projects, referred to as capital budgeting, involves discounted cash flow computations to determine the project's net present value (NPV). Keywords: basic concepts; example of real-options analysis; basic concepts; basic concepts
ENSO effects on δ18O, δ2H and d‐excess values in precipitation across the U.S. using a high‐density, long‐term network (USNIP)

RATIONALE Isotope (δ(18)O and δ(2)H values) ratios in precipitation have been central to understanding changes in Earth's climate as recorded in ice, coral, speleothems, lake varves and long-lived plants. Understanding how climate phases (i.e. ENSO) affect the spatial and temporal patterns of δ(18)O and δ(2)H values in precipitation has, however, been uncertain across the USA. METHODS A spatial precipitation isotope network (USNIP) has been established that aims to: (1) characterize the δ(18)O, δ(2)H and d-excess values in precipitation across the USA with the highest spatially dense network of measurements yet undertaken; (2) quantify the annual and seasonal patterns of precipitation δ(18)O and δ(2)H values that may be affected by ENSO climate phases; and (3) provide a new isotope database for scientific studies that can be incorporated into NEON, BASIN, GNIP, and IsoMAP. RESULTS On average, precipitation δ(18)O and δ(2)H values are very low in the northern Rocky Mountain region (~ -15‰ δ(18)O, and ~ -120‰ δ(2)H), and precipitation δ(18)O and δ(2)H values are relatively higher along the Gulf Coast (~ -5‰ δ(18)O and -10‰ δ(2)H) and in the Southeast. During El Nino periods the precipitation δ(18)O and δ(2)H values are lowest in northwest Montana, with precipitation that is depleted in (18)O and (2)H extending into northern Colorado, while moisture that is enriched in (18)O and (2)H continues to dominate the Gulf Coast. The annual average differences between the climate phases generally show especially depleted (18)O and (2)H in precipitation across the Rocky Mountain region during El Nino, compared with Neutral periods. CONCLUSIONS Detailed spatial and seasonal patterns of δ(18)O, δ(2)H and d-excess values provide fine-scale resolution not previously recognized. Climate phases of ENSO have major effects on the spatial patterns of δ(18)O, δ(2)H and d-excess values, being especially important on a seasonal basis in the Desert Southwest.
Formation of Al–Y oxide during processing of γ-TiAl

Abstract While processing Y 2 O 3 dispersed γ-TiAl, Y 2 O 3 particles which dissolved during hot isostatic pressing (HIP’ing) were found to precipitate during the heat treatment in the form of a mixed Al–Y oxide. To understand the chemical reaction that occurs between Y 2 O 3 and γ-TiAl during the heat treatment cycle, a powder mixture comprising of γ-TiAl and 10 wt.% Y 2 O 3 was mechanically alloyed (MA’d) for 8 h and the milled powder was subjected to differential thermal analysis (DTA) at 1150 °C prior to analyzing it using X-ray diffraction technique. The present study clearly demonstrates that aluminum in the combined form either as γ-TiAl or Al 2 O 3 reacts in a similar manner with Y 2 O 3 when milled and heat treated at 1150 °C. In either case there is formation of Al 2 Y 4 O 9 (2Y 2 O 3 .Al 2 O 3 ).
RNA interference of the bcl-xl gene in esophageal adenocarcinoma

Introduction: The technique of RNA interference is rapidly growing in popularity, as it is an effective tool among molecular biologists conducting gene-silencing experiments. Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) responds poorly to conventional clinical therapy. It has been previously noted by immunohistochemistry that the BCL-XL protein, an important determinant of apoptosis resistance, appears to be highly expressed in EA tumors. Currently there is a no in vitro data evaluating BCL-XL in EA. We sought to determine BCL-XL protein levels in EA cell lines and assess the effectiveness of bcl-xl RNA interference (RNAi) and subsequent protein down-regulation in this tumor type. Methods: Western blot analysis evaluated baseline BCL-XL protein levels in human EA cell lines BE3 and SK5. Preliminary studies of three 21 nucleotide, double-stranded BCL-XL specific siRNA identified the most potent construct. The cells were then transfected with this construct utilizing oligofectamine, with scrambled siRNA as a control. After 72 hours, protein and transcriptional down regulation were evaluated by Western blot and real-time PCR. Flow cytometry was used to determine apoptotic cell death (subG0/G1 phase). Results were compared using the student’s t-test. Results: Greater than 90% short interfering RNA construct (siRNA) transfection was established with a fluorescent labeled system. Both cell lines exhibited baseline BCL-XL over-expression. After treatment, a 60% reduction in mRNA levels and a corresponding 50% decrease in protein expression was noted. The percentage of apoptotic cells was as follows: 3.16% (BE3 control) vs. 27.02% (BE3 treated) and 8.02% (SK5 control) vs. 32.96% (SK5 treated) (p < .03 and p < .001). Conclusion: We have demonstrated increased expression of BCL-XL in cultured EA cells. The anti-apoptotic function of this gene can be disrupted in specific fashion by RNA interference. These findings establish BCL-XL as a valid target in this aggressive malignancy and encourage further studies involving BCL-XL expression inhibition by RNAi.
Serine and methionine enhancement of selenite inhibition of DNA synthesis in a mouse mammary epithelial cell line

Methionine and serine in combination enhanced the inhibitory effect of selenite on cell growth and DNA synthesis of the MOD mammary epithelial cell line. These amino acids also increased the levels of a 58-kd selenoprotein which has been correlated with selenite's effects in previous studies. The use of the amino acids accelerated the onset of inhibition of DNA synthesis by selenite and increased the rate of actual selenoprotein synthesis. The mechanism of enhancement of selenite's effects was possibly due to the amino acids increasing the levels of essential precursors (i.e. seryltRNA(UGA), HSe-) needed for selenoprotein synthesis.
A common connexion between gap junctions, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with substantial morbidity. In younger individuals without structural heart disease, the arrhythmia is commonly referred to as “lone” AF. It is now apparent that a widespread heritable basis for AF exists, the heritability might be greater among those with lone AF as compared with older individuals or those with structural heart disease. In 1997, Brugada et al. mapped a genetic locus for AF to the long arm of chromosome 10 in a family with early onset AF and no substantial structural heart disease. Since that report, investigators have used a combination of candidate gene screening and functional characterization to identify a variety of mutations, often in ion channels, that underlie monogenic forms of AF. More recently, genome-wide association studies have been used to map 9 susceptibility loci associated with AF in case-control and population-based cohort samples. Despite their rarity, the discovery of mutations underlying monogenic AF has provided important insights into AF pathophysiology. For example, most identified mutations in potassium channels are expected to shorten the atrial action potential and thereby predispose to re-entry, supporting a commonly accepted mechanism of AF. Considering evidence that alterations in ion channels can predispose to AF, genes encoding gap junction proteins have become plausible candidates for AF susceptibility. Gap junctions are responsible for electrical coupling of cells. Specifically, connexin-40 has been investigated as a potential candidate because of its selective expression in the atria and presence in cardiac conduction tissue. Connexin-40 forms atrial gap junctions together with connexin-43. Indeed, genetic variation in GJA5, which encodes connexin-40, has been associated with AF in several studies. Invoked mechanisms that might underlie the association include impaired cellular transport of
An Assessment of Fungicide Benefits for the Control of Fungal Diseases of Processing Tomatoes in New York and New Jersey

Concurrent studies on the benefits of fungicide use for control of fungal diseases of processing tomatoes were conducted in New York and New Jersey in 1993 and 1994. Fungicides (chlorothalonil at 2.5 kg/ha or mancozeb at 1.68 kg/ha) were applied at 7-, 10-, or 14-day intervals to processing tomatoes for control of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum coccodes, early blight caused by Alternaria solani, and Septoria leaf spot caused by Septoria lycopersici. The New Jersey trial included an additional treatment using the disease-warning system TOM-CAST. All fungicide treatments significantly reduced foliar disease severity (in New York) and anthracnose incidence (New York and New Jersey) in the 2 years of study. Yield of usable fruit was significantly increased by all fungicide treatments with the exception of the TOM-CAST treatment using the cultivar Brigade in 1994 in New Jersey. In New York, usable yield and financial benefit were consistently the highest in plots treated with chlorothalonil on a 7-day interval. In New Jersey, the highest usable yields and the greatest financial benefits occurred in the chlorothalonil 7- and 10-day interval treatments in 1993. At both locations, the yield and financial benefit associated with the fungicide treatments was primarily due to suppression of anthracnose and other fruit rots. Suppression of foliar diseases was less important.
In Defense of the Text: Democracy and Constitutional Theory

Introduction - why constitutional theory? John Marshall and 20th century jurisprudence paradoxes of Justice Black - text, history and structure popular sovereignty, the origins of judicial review and the revival of unwritten law judicial review and modern judicial scholarship - a qustion of power judicial review and democratic theory - guardian democracy vs. representative democracy indeterminacy and constitutional theory - a critique of CLS and company.
Ethnic differences in time transfers from adult children to elderly parents: Unobserved heterogeneity across families?

This study aims to examine ethnic differences in time transfers among older adults and their parents and the degree to which unobserved heterogeneity in family ties determines differences. The theoretical framework is based on models by Rosenzweig and Wolpin and Altonji. The assumption is that the adult-child utility depends on own consumption leisure time and the welfare of the parent and is conditioned by family-varying preference shocks (cultural norms family values and preferences for giving assistance to others). The preference shocks are assumed to vary between families and to be represented by racial characteristics. Data are obtained from the 1992 US Health and Retirement Survey on respondents who were born during 1931-41 and had unmarried living parents. The fixed effects model includes 977 Whites 346 Blacks and 333 Hispanics due to the elimination of families where all siblings provided help. Imputation of parents wealth was based on data obtained from the 1993-94 Assets and Health Dynamics Survey (AHEAD) on unmarried respondents with at least two living children one of whom must have been born during 1931-41. Findings indicate that about 7% of adult-children provide time-assistance (6.6% for Whites 8.2% for Blacks and 9.2% for Hispanics). The increase in probability of care given to the parent is related to whether the adult-child is female older unmarried coresides or lives nearby and works fewer hours. Hispanics who own a home who have higher wealth and who have children at home under 18 years old provide greater time-assistance. Help is more likely for the aged parent who is very old lives with a child does not own a home needs help and is in a poor financial condition. More Black adult-children help mothers. Evidence of unobserved heterogeneity in families is found only for Whites and Blacks. For Whites the fixed effects model shows single daughters are more likely than single sons to provide time-assistance. For Blacks single daughters and married daughters are more likely than single sons to provide time-assistance. For Hispanics the GEE logit model shows the same pattern as for Blacks. Additionally for Hispanics absolute level of wealth (home ownership) is negatively related and relative wealth is positively related.
Activated ERK2 Interacts with and Phosphorylates the Docking Protein GAB1

Grb2-associated binder 1 (GAB1) is a docking protein found to associate with the activated c-MET receptor via the MET-binding domain (MBD) and appears to be critical for the tubulogenic actions of this receptor. Pull-down experiments with bacterially expressed MBD and full-length GAB1 revealed the presence of c-MET as well as phosphorylated ERK2 (pERK2). By using purified pERK2 and non-pERK2, we found that GAB1 associates exclusively with the phosphorylated form of the enzyme and that this association does not require mediation by a third protein. When epitope-taggedGAB1 was co-transfected with constitutively activeMEK1 into A293 cells, co-immunoprecipitation of GAB1 and pERK2 was observed, demonstrating that this interaction can occur in intact cells. In vitro, both the MBD and full-length GAB1 were found to be substrates for activated ERK2. In intact cells, epitope-tagged GAB1 was found to be basally phosphorylated on serine with an increase following co-transfection with constitutively activeMEK1 and the appearance of novel phosphorylation sites detected by phosphopeptide mapping. Thus, it appears that GAB1 can associate directly with phosphorylated ERK2 via the MET-binding domain and that GAB1 then acts as a substrate for the enzyme.
Modulation of GABAA receptor-activated current by norepinephrine in cerebellar purkinje cells

Previous studies employing extracellular single-unit recording in the intact cerebellum have demonstrated that norepinephrine can potentiate GABA-induced suppression of Purkinje cell spike activity. However, many issues related to the nature of this modulatory phenomenon remain to be resolved. Using whole-cell patch clamp recording, the present study investigated the effect of norepinephrine on GABA-activated membrane currents (IGABA) in solitary Purkinje cells isolated from neonatal rat cerebella following acute dissociation. Exposure of Purkinje cells to norepinephrine at a concentration which, by itself, had no obvious effect on Purkinje cell membrane conductance, consistently augmented IGABA. The catecholamine also potentiated GABA-gated chloride currents as well as muscimol-induced currents in Purkinje cells. Thus, the facilitating effect of norepinephrine on IGABA was attributed to an interaction between norepinephrine and the GABAA receptor-mediated chloride conductance. The effect of norepinephrine could be mimicked by isoproterenol as well as by 8-bromo cAMP, suggesting that a beta-receptor-mediated, cAMP-dependent cascade may underlie the observed heteroreceptor interaction. Our results establish the existence of a postsynaptic mechanism by which norepinephrine, through activation of the beta-adrenoceptor, may modulate GABAA receptor function in cerebellar Purkinje cells. This study provides the groundwork for a detailed investigation into the cascade of membrane and intracellular events underlying such a synergistic modulatory interaction at the cellular and subcellular levels.
Development of the venous drainage of the equine hypophysis cerebri.

The development of the venous drainage from the equine hypophysis cerebri was investigated in embryos and fetuses ca. 22nd to 270th day of gestation. The early venous drainage was represented by the right and left retrohypophysial veins which were tributaries of the primary head veins. In later development an anastomosis was formed between the contralateral retrohypophysial veins. This anastomosis was named the retrohypophysial sinus which was identical with the caudal intercavernous sinus of the postnatal animals. The development of the rostral intercavernous sinus was not observed. The right and left cavernous sinuses developed secondarily from the retrohypophysial sinus. The venous drainage was directed rostrolaterad into the ophthalmic veins. In addition to the rostrolateral route, a caudoventral route, represented by the right and left ventral petrosal sinuses, developed from the retrohypophysial sinus relatively late in the fetal period. Both the rostrolateral and caudoventral routes joined eventually the external jugular system basically resembling postnatal conditions.
Students in Transit: Understanding the Migration of Students between Disciplines and Disciplinary Groupings

In this paper we investigate methods for visualizing the flow of university-level students through the undergraduate academic experience. We use the lens of transit between major declarations, both in the context of specific major to major mappings, as well as mappings between disciplinary clusters. Our motivation is twofold. First, we wish to understand the implications for students, in terms of time to degree, fidelity to initial major interest, and intellectual distance travelled by students as they cross boundaries of major clusters. Second, we wish to understand the implications for degree programs, as they seek to attract and retain top students, or manage the consequences of declining enrollments. Our approach utilizes multiple visualization techniques, as we first try and develop high-level understanding of the migratory patterns of students, and then drill down to more fine-grained approaches yielding insights that are aimed at providing specific, actionable information to a diverse set of stakeholders, including students, faculty, and administrators.
Capital Growth and the St. Petersburg Game

We are forced to quell the mistaken notion that William A. Whitworth discovered the famous Kelly formula for proportionate betting as put forth in a recent note by Szekely and Richards. In his analysis of gambling, Whitworth, like Daniel Bernoulli before him, sought a “fair” valuation of a risky venture for a gambler with limited wealth. A “fair” valuation was one that would yield zero capital growth, that is, a geometric mean return of zero. In contrast, the Kelly criterion seeks a fixed proportion of a gambler's wealth that should be wagered to maximize capital growth. We compare and contrast these similar problems in the context of the famous St. Petersburg wager.
A Cytohistologic Correlation of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: Emphasizing the Rare Oncocytic Variant

It is well-known that the morphological variability of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the salivary glands may lead to interpretative difficulties on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis. In this study we identify morphologic features that may be useful in the FNA diagnosis of MEC. The cohort included 23 cases of MEC; cytology and histology slides were reviewed and assessed for % cystic component, extracellular mucin, mucous and intermediate cells, oncocytes, cells with foamy/clear cytoplasm, keratinized cells and lymphocytes. On FNA 12/23 (52%) cases were diagnosed as consistent with or suggestive of MEC; 6/23 (26%) as salivary gland neoplasm and 5/23 (22%) as no tumor seen. The cystic component was ≥50% in 18/23 (78%) and <50% in 5 cases. The features prevalent in FNA and histology were: mucous cells (96% and 91%), extracellular mucin (91% both), intermediate cells (100 and 83%), lymphocytes (96 and 78%) and cells with foamy/clear cytoplasm (74% both). Oncocytes were seen in 43 and 22% and keratinized cells in 48 and 13% cases. Cases with oncocytes and lymphocytes were interpreted as favor Warthin's tumor on FNA. Presence of mucous cells, cells with foamy/clear cytoplasm, intermediate cells and lymphocytes in a mucinous background are diagnostic indicators of MEC; presence of oncocytes should not refrain from diagnosing MEC in FNA specimens.
ε-Expansion calculations for spin-glasses

Abstract The critical properties of the spin-glass transition proposed by Edwards and Anderson are studied using the minimal subtraction method. The universal ratio of the second correction to scaling amplitude to the square of the first for the order parameter susceptibility χ 0 is calculated to first order in e ( e =6− d ). Comparison is made with Fisch and Harris' high temperature series analysis which incorporated Rudnick-Nelson-type corrections to scaling. Within the same formalism the critical exponents are calculated to second order in e. They agree with the first order e expansion of Harris, Lubensky and Chen.
Effects of the parasitoid, Cardiochiles nigriceps, on the growth, development, and tissues of Heliothis virescens

Abstract Parasitism of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens , by Cardiochiles nigriceps resulted in a reduction in weight gain by parasitized larvae. Host larvae parasitized during the second or fourth instars developed through the same number of moulting cycles as non-parasitized controls although the head capsule diameter of parasitized larvae was reduced. Both parasitized and control larvae entered the pharate pupal phase at the same time, but the parasitized larvae failed to shed the larval cuticle. When second instar host larvae were parasitized, the parasite emerged in 12 days, 1 day after the controls pupated. Parasites from larvae parasitized during the fourth instar required 11 days for development and emerged 3 days after the controls pupated. The specific gravity of the host haemolymph increased following parasitism. Differences in the number and location of host proteins separated by disk electrophoresis between parasitized and non-parasitized hosts occurred, suggesting the breakdown or utilization of certain host proteins and the release or synthesis of other proteins. Changes in the developing fat body of nonparasitized larvae were observed during the pharate pupal phase which resulted in the deposition of protein globules and enlargement of the fat body. The fat body of parasitized larvae did not change during the pharate pupal phase. Parasite larvae fed exclusively on haemolymph until 2 or 3 days before emergence, when the fat body was attacked.
Drosophila Histone Deacetylase-3 Controls Imaginal Disc Size through Suppression of Apoptosis

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) execute biological regulation through post-translational modification of chromatin and other cellular substrates. In humans, there are eleven HDACs, organized into three distinct subfamilies. This large number of HDACs raises questions about functional overlap and division of labor among paralogs. In vivo roles are simpler to address in Drosophila, where there are only five HDAC family members and only two are implicated in transcriptional control. Of these two, HDAC1 has been characterized genetically, but its most closely related paralog, HDAC3, has not. Here we describe the isolation and phenotypic characterization of hdac3 mutations. We find that both hdac3 and hdac1 mutations are dominant suppressors of position effect variegation, suggesting functional overlap in heterochromatin regulation. However, all five hdac3 loss-of-function alleles are recessive lethal during larval/pupal stages, indicating that HDAC3 is essential on its own for Drosophila development. The mutant larvae display small imaginal discs, which result from abnormally elevated levels of apoptosis. This cell death occurs as a cell-autonomous response to HDAC3 loss and is accompanied by increased expression of the pro-apoptotic gene, hid. In contrast, although HDAC1 mutants also display small imaginal discs, this appears to result from reduced proliferation rather than from elevated apoptosis. The connection between HDAC loss and apoptosis is important since HDAC inhibitors show anticancer activities in animal models through mechanisms involving apoptotic induction. However, the specific HDACs implicated in tumor cell killing have not been identified. Our results indicate that protein deacetylation by HDAC3 plays a key role in suppression of apoptosis in Drosophila imaginal tissue.
Donepezil for the treatment of language deficits in adults with Down syndrome: a preliminary 24-week open trial.

At present, there is no proven pharmacologic treatment for cognitive or language impairments in Down syndrome (DS). Cholinergic deficits have been documented in DS and linked to cognitive deficits. This study is a 24-week open-label clinical trial of donepezil hydrochloride for the treatment of language deficits in adults with DS. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study to evaluate systematically the effects of donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, on specific language domains in DS. The main finding that emerged was an improvement in expressive language performance following donepezil therapy. Despite the multiple methodological limitations, the results raise important questions regarding the role of the cholinergic system in language function and the specific effect of cholinergic therapy in the treatment of language impairment in DS. The results support the need for large-scale controlled studies of the effects of donepezil treatment on language and on other cognitive domains in DS.