Sample records for iterative pruning pca

  1. Analysis of the genetic structure of the Malay population: Ancestry-informative marker SNPs in the Malay of Peninsular Malaysia.

    PubMed

    Yahya, Padillah; Sulong, Sarina; Harun, Azian; Wan Isa, Hatin; Ab Rajab, Nur-Shafawati; Wangkumhang, Pongsakorn; Wilantho, Alisa; Ngamphiw, Chumpol; Tongsima, Sissades; Zilfalil, Bin Alwi

    2017-09-01

    Malay, the main ethnic group in Peninsular Malaysia, is represented by various sub-ethnic groups such as Melayu Banjar, Melayu Bugis, Melayu Champa, Melayu Java, Melayu Kedah Melayu Kelantan, Melayu Minang and Melayu Patani. Using data retrieved from the MyHVP (Malaysian Human Variome Project) database, a total of 135 individuals from these sub-ethnic groups were profiled using the Affymetrix GeneChip Mapping Xba 50-K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to identify SNPs that were ancestry-informative markers (AIMs) for Malays of Peninsular Malaysia. Prior to selecting the AIMs, the genetic structure of Malays was explored with reference to 11 other populations obtained from the Pan-Asian SNP Consortium database using principal component analysis (PCA) and ADMIXTURE. Iterative pruning principal component analysis (ipPCA) was further used to identify sub-groups of Malays. Subsequently, we constructed an AIMs panel for Malays using the informativeness for assignment (I n ) of genetic markers, and the K-nearest neighbor classifier (KNN) was used to teach the classification models. A model of 250 SNPs ranked by I n , correctly classified Malay individuals with an accuracy of up to 90%. The identified panel of SNPs could be utilized as a panel of AIMs to ascertain the specific ancestry of Malays, which may be useful in disease association studies, biomedical research or forensic investigation purposes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Using an expanding nondirect product harmonic basis with an iterative eigensolver to compute vibrational energy levels with as many as seven atoms.

    PubMed

    Brown, James; Carrington, Tucker

    2016-10-14

    We demonstrate that it is possible to use a variational method to compute 50 vibrational levels of ethylene oxide (a seven-atom molecule) with convergence errors less than 0.01 cm -1 . This is done by beginning with a small basis and expanding it to include product basis functions that are deemed to be important. For ethylene oxide a basis with fewer than 3 × 10 6 functions is large enough. Because the resulting basis has no exploitable structure we use a mapping to evaluate the matrix-vector products required to use an iterative eigensolver. The expanded basis is compared to bases obtained from pre-determined pruning condition. Similar calculations are presented for molecules with 3, 4, 5, and 6 atoms. For the 6-atom molecule, CH 3 CH, the required expanded basis has about 106 000 functions and is about an order of magnitude smaller than bases made with a pre-determined pruning condition.

  3. A multivariate approach to the study of the composting process by means of analytical electrofocusing.

    PubMed

    Grigatti, Marco; Cavani, Luciano; Ciavatta, Claudio

    2007-01-01

    Three blends formed by: agro-industrial waste, wastewater sewage sludge, and their mixture, blended with tree pruning as bulking agent, were composted over a 3-month period. During the composting process the blends were monitored for the main physical and chemical characteristics. Electrofocusing (EF) was carried out on the extracted organic matter. The EF profiles were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) in order to assess the suitability of EF to evaluate the stabilisation level during the composting process. Throughout the process, the blends showed a general shifting of focused bands, from low to high pH, even though the compost origin affected the EF profiles. If the EF profile is analyzed by dividing it into pH regions, the interpretation of the results can be affected by the origin of compost. A good clustering of compost samples depending on the process time was obtained by analyzing the whole profile by PCA. Analysis of EF results with PCA represents a useful analytical technique to study the evolution and the stabilisation of composted organic matter.

  4. Individualized statistical learning from medical image databases: application to identification of brain lesions.

    PubMed

    Erus, Guray; Zacharaki, Evangelia I; Davatzikos, Christos

    2014-04-01

    This paper presents a method for capturing statistical variation of normal imaging phenotypes, with emphasis on brain structure. The method aims to estimate the statistical variation of a normative set of images from healthy individuals, and identify abnormalities as deviations from normality. A direct estimation of the statistical variation of the entire volumetric image is challenged by the high-dimensionality of images relative to smaller sample sizes. To overcome this limitation, we iteratively sample a large number of lower dimensional subspaces that capture image characteristics ranging from fine and localized to coarser and more global. Within each subspace, a "target-specific" feature selection strategy is applied to further reduce the dimensionality, by considering only imaging characteristics present in a test subject's images. Marginal probability density functions of selected features are estimated through PCA models, in conjunction with an "estimability" criterion that limits the dimensionality of estimated probability densities according to available sample size and underlying anatomy variation. A test sample is iteratively projected to the subspaces of these marginals as determined by PCA models, and its trajectory delineates potential abnormalities. The method is applied to segmentation of various brain lesion types, and to simulated data on which superiority of the iterative method over straight PCA is demonstrated. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Individualized Statistical Learning from Medical Image Databases: Application to Identification of Brain Lesions

    PubMed Central

    Erus, Guray; Zacharaki, Evangelia I.; Davatzikos, Christos

    2014-01-01

    This paper presents a method for capturing statistical variation of normal imaging phenotypes, with emphasis on brain structure. The method aims to estimate the statistical variation of a normative set of images from healthy individuals, and identify abnormalities as deviations from normality. A direct estimation of the statistical variation of the entire volumetric image is challenged by the high-dimensionality of images relative to smaller sample sizes. To overcome this limitation, we iteratively sample a large number of lower dimensional subspaces that capture image characteristics ranging from fine and localized to coarser and more global. Within each subspace, a “target-specific” feature selection strategy is applied to further reduce the dimensionality, by considering only imaging characteristics present in a test subject’s images. Marginal probability density functions of selected features are estimated through PCA models, in conjunction with an “estimability” criterion that limits the dimensionality of estimated probability densities according to available sample size and underlying anatomy variation. A test sample is iteratively projected to the subspaces of these marginals as determined by PCA models, and its trajectory delineates potential abnormalities. The method is applied to segmentation of various brain lesion types, and to simulated data on which superiority of the iterative method over straight PCA is demonstrated. PMID:24607564

  6. Iterative quantization: a Procrustean approach to learning binary codes for large-scale image retrieval.

    PubMed

    Gong, Yunchao; Lazebnik, Svetlana; Gordo, Albert; Perronnin, Florent

    2013-12-01

    This paper addresses the problem of learning similarity-preserving binary codes for efficient similarity search in large-scale image collections. We formulate this problem in terms of finding a rotation of zero-centered data so as to minimize the quantization error of mapping this data to the vertices of a zero-centered binary hypercube, and propose a simple and efficient alternating minimization algorithm to accomplish this task. This algorithm, dubbed iterative quantization (ITQ), has connections to multiclass spectral clustering and to the orthogonal Procrustes problem, and it can be used both with unsupervised data embeddings such as PCA and supervised embeddings such as canonical correlation analysis (CCA). The resulting binary codes significantly outperform several other state-of-the-art methods. We also show that further performance improvements can result from transforming the data with a nonlinear kernel mapping prior to PCA or CCA. Finally, we demonstrate an application of ITQ to learning binary attributes or "classemes" on the ImageNet data set.

  7. Multivariate qualitative analysis of banned additives in food safety using surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    He, Shixuan; Xie, Wanyi; Zhang, Wei; Zhang, Liqun; Wang, Yunxia; Liu, Xiaoling; Liu, Yulong; Du, Chunlei

    2015-02-01

    A novel strategy which combines iteratively cubic spline fitting baseline correction method with discriminant partial least squares qualitative analysis is employed to analyze the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy of banned food additives, such as Sudan I dye and Rhodamine B in food, Malachite green residues in aquaculture fish. Multivariate qualitative analysis methods, using the combination of spectra preprocessing iteratively cubic spline fitting (ICSF) baseline correction with principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant partial least squares (DPLS) classification respectively, are applied to investigate the effectiveness of SERS spectroscopy for predicting the class assignments of unknown banned food additives. PCA cannot be used to predict the class assignments of unknown samples. However, the DPLS classification can discriminate the class assignment of unknown banned additives using the information of differences in relative intensities. The results demonstrate that SERS spectroscopy combined with ICSF baseline correction method and exploratory analysis methodology DPLS classification can be potentially used for distinguishing the banned food additives in field of food safety.

  8. Strain Transient Detection Techniques: A Comparison of Source Parameter Inversions of Signals Isolated through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Non-Linear PCA, and Rotated PCA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lipovsky, B.; Funning, G. J.

    2009-12-01

    We compare several techniques for the analysis of geodetic time series with the ultimate aim to characterize the physical processes which are represented therein. We compare three methods for the analysis of these data: Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Non-Linear PCA (NLPCA), and Rotated PCA (RPCA). We evaluate each method by its ability to isolate signals which may be any combination of low amplitude (near noise level), temporally transient, unaccompanied by seismic emissions, and small scale with respect to the spatial domain. PCA is a powerful tool for extracting structure from large datasets which is traditionally realized through either the solution of an eigenvalue problem or through iterative methods. PCA is an transformation of the coordinate system of our data such that the new "principal" data axes retain maximal variance and minimal reconstruction error (Pearson, 1901; Hotelling, 1933). RPCA is achieved by an orthogonal transformation of the principal axes determined in PCA. In the analysis of meteorological data sets, RPCA has been seen to overcome domain shape dependencies, correct for sampling errors, and to determine principal axes which more closely represent physical processes (e.g., Richman, 1986). NLPCA generalizes PCA such that principal axes are replaced by principal curves (e.g., Hsieh 2004). We achieve NLPCA through an auto-associative feed-forward neural network (Scholz, 2005). We show the geophysical relevance of these techniques by application of each to a synthetic data set. Results are compared by inverting principal axes to determine deformation source parameters. Temporal variability in source parameters, estimated by each method, are also compared.

  9. Multivariate qualitative analysis of banned additives in food safety using surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    He, Shixuan; Xie, Wanyi; Zhang, Wei; Zhang, Liqun; Wang, Yunxia; Liu, Xiaoling; Liu, Yulong; Du, Chunlei

    2015-02-25

    A novel strategy which combines iteratively cubic spline fitting baseline correction method with discriminant partial least squares qualitative analysis is employed to analyze the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy of banned food additives, such as Sudan I dye and Rhodamine B in food, Malachite green residues in aquaculture fish. Multivariate qualitative analysis methods, using the combination of spectra preprocessing iteratively cubic spline fitting (ICSF) baseline correction with principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant partial least squares (DPLS) classification respectively, are applied to investigate the effectiveness of SERS spectroscopy for predicting the class assignments of unknown banned food additives. PCA cannot be used to predict the class assignments of unknown samples. However, the DPLS classification can discriminate the class assignment of unknown banned additives using the information of differences in relative intensities. The results demonstrate that SERS spectroscopy combined with ICSF baseline correction method and exploratory analysis methodology DPLS classification can be potentially used for distinguishing the banned food additives in field of food safety. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Evolutionary pruning of transfer learned deep convolutional neural network for breast cancer diagnosis in digital breast tomosynthesis.

    PubMed

    Samala, Ravi K; Chan, Heang-Ping; Hadjiiski, Lubomir M; Helvie, Mark A; Richter, Caleb; Cha, Kenny

    2018-05-01

    Deep learning models are highly parameterized, resulting in difficulty in inference and transfer learning for image recognition tasks. In this work, we propose a layered pathway evolution method to compress a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) for classification of masses in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). The objective is to prune the number of tunable parameters while preserving the classification accuracy. In the first stage transfer learning, 19 632 augmented regions-of-interest (ROIs) from 2454 mass lesions on mammograms were used to train a pre-trained DCNN on ImageNet. In the second stage transfer learning, the DCNN was used as a feature extractor followed by feature selection and random forest classification. The pathway evolution was performed using genetic algorithm in an iterative approach with tournament selection driven by count-preserving crossover and mutation. The second stage was trained with 9120 DBT ROIs from 228 mass lesions using leave-one-case-out cross-validation. The DCNN was reduced by 87% in the number of neurons, 34% in the number of parameters, and 95% in the number of multiply-and-add operations required in the convolutional layers. The test AUC on 89 mass lesions from 94 independent DBT cases before and after pruning were 0.88 and 0.90, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (p  >  0.05). The proposed DCNN compression approach can reduce the number of required operations by 95% while maintaining the classification performance. The approach can be extended to other deep neural networks and imaging tasks where transfer learning is appropriate.

  11. Supertrees Based on the Subtree Prune-and-Regraft Distance

    PubMed Central

    Whidden, Christopher; Zeh, Norbert; Beiko, Robert G.

    2014-01-01

    Supertree methods reconcile a set of phylogenetic trees into a single structure that is often interpreted as a branching history of species. A key challenge is combining conflicting evolutionary histories that are due to artifacts of phylogenetic reconstruction and phenomena such as lateral gene transfer (LGT). Many supertree approaches use optimality criteria that do not reflect underlying processes, have known biases, and may be unduly influenced by LGT. We present the first method to construct supertrees by using the subtree prune-and-regraft (SPR) distance as an optimality criterion. Although calculating the rooted SPR distance between a pair of trees is NP-hard, our new maximum agreement forest-based methods can reconcile trees with hundreds of taxa and > 50 transfers in fractions of a second, which enables repeated calculations during the course of an iterative search. Our approach can accommodate trees in which uncertain relationships have been collapsed to multifurcating nodes. Using a series of benchmark datasets simulated under plausible rates of LGT, we show that SPR supertrees are more similar to correct species histories than supertrees based on parsimony or Robinson–Foulds distance criteria. We successfully constructed an SPR supertree from a phylogenomic dataset of 40,631 gene trees that covered 244 genomes representing several major bacterial phyla. Our SPR-based approach also allowed direct inference of highways of gene transfer between bacterial classes and genera. A Small number of these highways connect genera in different phyla and can highlight specific genes implicated in long-distance LGT. [Lateral gene transfer; matrix representation with parsimony; phylogenomics; prokaryotic phylogeny; Robinson–Foulds; subtree prune-and-regraft; supertrees.] PMID:24695589

  12. Evolutionary pruning of transfer learned deep convolutional neural network for breast cancer diagnosis in digital breast tomosynthesis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Samala, Ravi K.; Chan, Heang-Ping; Hadjiiski, Lubomir M.; Helvie, Mark A.; Richter, Caleb; Cha, Kenny

    2018-05-01

    Deep learning models are highly parameterized, resulting in difficulty in inference and transfer learning for image recognition tasks. In this work, we propose a layered pathway evolution method to compress a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) for classification of masses in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). The objective is to prune the number of tunable parameters while preserving the classification accuracy. In the first stage transfer learning, 19 632 augmented regions-of-interest (ROIs) from 2454 mass lesions on mammograms were used to train a pre-trained DCNN on ImageNet. In the second stage transfer learning, the DCNN was used as a feature extractor followed by feature selection and random forest classification. The pathway evolution was performed using genetic algorithm in an iterative approach with tournament selection driven by count-preserving crossover and mutation. The second stage was trained with 9120 DBT ROIs from 228 mass lesions using leave-one-case-out cross-validation. The DCNN was reduced by 87% in the number of neurons, 34% in the number of parameters, and 95% in the number of multiply-and-add operations required in the convolutional layers. The test AUC on 89 mass lesions from 94 independent DBT cases before and after pruning were 0.88 and 0.90, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (p  >  0.05). The proposed DCNN compression approach can reduce the number of required operations by 95% while maintaining the classification performance. The approach can be extended to other deep neural networks and imaging tasks where transfer learning is appropriate.

  13. Apriori Versions Based on MapReduce for Mining Frequent Patterns on Big Data.

    PubMed

    Luna, Jose Maria; Padillo, Francisco; Pechenizkiy, Mykola; Ventura, Sebastian

    2017-09-27

    Pattern mining is one of the most important tasks to extract meaningful and useful information from raw data. This task aims to extract item-sets that represent any type of homogeneity and regularity in data. Although many efficient algorithms have been developed in this regard, the growing interest in data has caused the performance of existing pattern mining techniques to be dropped. The goal of this paper is to propose new efficient pattern mining algorithms to work in big data. To this aim, a series of algorithms based on the MapReduce framework and the Hadoop open-source implementation have been proposed. The proposed algorithms can be divided into three main groups. First, two algorithms [Apriori MapReduce (AprioriMR) and iterative AprioriMR] with no pruning strategy are proposed, which extract any existing item-set in data. Second, two algorithms (space pruning AprioriMR and top AprioriMR) that prune the search space by means of the well-known anti-monotone property are proposed. Finally, a last algorithm (maximal AprioriMR) is also proposed for mining condensed representations of frequent patterns. To test the performance of the proposed algorithms, a varied collection of big data datasets have been considered, comprising up to 3 · 10#x00B9;⁸ transactions and more than 5 million of distinct single-items. The experimental stage includes comparisons against highly efficient and well-known pattern mining algorithms. Results reveal the interest of applying MapReduce versions when complex problems are considered, and also the unsuitability of this paradigm when dealing with small data.

  14. An Active Learning Framework for Hyperspectral Image Classification Using Hierarchical Segmentation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zhang, Zhou; Pasolli, Edoardo; Crawford, Melba M.; Tilton, James C.

    2015-01-01

    Augmenting spectral data with spatial information for image classification has recently gained significant attention, as classification accuracy can often be improved by extracting spatial information from neighboring pixels. In this paper, we propose a new framework in which active learning (AL) and hierarchical segmentation (HSeg) are combined for spectral-spatial classification of hyperspectral images. The spatial information is extracted from a best segmentation obtained by pruning the HSeg tree using a new supervised strategy. The best segmentation is updated at each iteration of the AL process, thus taking advantage of informative labeled samples provided by the user. The proposed strategy incorporates spatial information in two ways: 1) concatenating the extracted spatial features and the original spectral features into a stacked vector and 2) extending the training set using a self-learning-based semi-supervised learning (SSL) approach. Finally, the two strategies are combined within an AL framework. The proposed framework is validated with two benchmark hyperspectral datasets. Higher classification accuracies are obtained by the proposed framework with respect to five other state-of-the-art spectral-spatial classification approaches. Moreover, the effectiveness of the proposed pruning strategy is also demonstrated relative to the approaches based on a fixed segmentation.

  15. 7 CFR 993.150 - Disposition of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ...) Tolerances for non-French prunes. Any lot of standard prunes or standard processed prunes containing more than 2 percent by weight of non-French prunes shall be disposed of only in prune product outlets as prescribed in § 993.50(c) unless the non-French prunes therein have an average count of 40 or less per pound...

  16. Feedback-Driven Dynamic Invariant Discovery

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zhang, Lingming; Yang, Guowei; Rungta, Neha S.; Person, Suzette; Khurshid, Sarfraz

    2014-01-01

    Program invariants can help software developers identify program properties that must be preserved as the software evolves, however, formulating correct invariants can be challenging. In this work, we introduce iDiscovery, a technique which leverages symbolic execution to improve the quality of dynamically discovered invariants computed by Daikon. Candidate invariants generated by Daikon are synthesized into assertions and instrumented onto the program. The instrumented code is executed symbolically to generate new test cases that are fed back to Daikon to help further re ne the set of candidate invariants. This feedback loop is executed until a x-point is reached. To mitigate the cost of symbolic execution, we present optimizations to prune the symbolic state space and to reduce the complexity of the generated path conditions. We also leverage recent advances in constraint solution reuse techniques to avoid computing results for the same constraints across iterations. Experimental results show that iDiscovery converges to a set of higher quality invariants compared to the initial set of candidate invariants in a small number of iterations.

  17. TH-CD-207A-07: Prediction of High Dimensional State Subject to Respiratory Motion: A Manifold Learning Approach

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liu, W; Sawant, A; Ruan, D

    Purpose: The development of high dimensional imaging systems (e.g. volumetric MRI, CBCT, photogrammetry systems) in image-guided radiotherapy provides important pathways to the ultimate goal of real-time volumetric/surface motion monitoring. This study aims to develop a prediction method for the high dimensional state subject to respiratory motion. Compared to conventional linear dimension reduction based approaches, our method utilizes manifold learning to construct a descriptive feature submanifold, where more efficient and accurate prediction can be performed. Methods: We developed a prediction framework for high-dimensional state subject to respiratory motion. The proposed method performs dimension reduction in a nonlinear setting to permit moremore » descriptive features compared to its linear counterparts (e.g., classic PCA). Specifically, a kernel PCA is used to construct a proper low-dimensional feature manifold, where low-dimensional prediction is performed. A fixed-point iterative pre-image estimation method is applied subsequently to recover the predicted value in the original state space. We evaluated and compared the proposed method with PCA-based method on 200 level-set surfaces reconstructed from surface point clouds captured by the VisionRT system. The prediction accuracy was evaluated with respect to root-mean-squared-error (RMSE) for both 200ms and 600ms lookahead lengths. Results: The proposed method outperformed PCA-based approach with statistically higher prediction accuracy. In one-dimensional feature subspace, our method achieved mean prediction accuracy of 0.86mm and 0.89mm for 200ms and 600ms lookahead lengths respectively, compared to 0.95mm and 1.04mm from PCA-based method. The paired t-tests further demonstrated the statistical significance of the superiority of our method, with p-values of 6.33e-3 and 5.78e-5, respectively. Conclusion: The proposed approach benefits from the descriptiveness of a nonlinear manifold and the prediction reliability in such low dimensional manifold. The fixed-point iterative approach turns out to work well practically for the pre-image recovery. Our approach is particularly suitable to facilitate managing respiratory motion in image-guide radiotherapy. This work is supported in part by NIH grant R01 CA169102-02.« less

  18. Street tree pruning and removal needs

    Treesearch

    David J. Nowak

    1990-01-01

    Street tree pruning and removal needs were examined for 11 species from inventory data collected in 11 cities in the North Central and Northeastern United States. The needs ranged from predominantly no pruning and routine pruning of small trees to safety pruning and removal of large trees. Species were ranked in terms of overall pruning and removal urgency, with London...

  19. 7 CFR 993.109 - Modified definition of non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Modified definition of non-French prunes. 993.109... definition of non-French prunes. The definition of non-French prunes set forth in § 993.6 is modified to read as follows: Non-French Prunes means prunes commonly known as Imperial, Sugar, Robe de Sargent, Burton...

  20. Time and distance to clear wood in pruned red alder saplings.

    Treesearch

    Dean S. DeBell; Constance A. Harrington; Barbara L. Gartner; Ryan. Singleton

    2006-01-01

    Pruning trials in young alder stands were sampled to evaluate response to pruning. Effects of pruning (1) live branches on different dates, and (2) dead branches with or without damaging the branch collar were assessed on trees pruned in 3- and 6-year-old plantations, respectively. Six years after pruning, stem sections were collected and dissected in the longitudinal-...

  1. Pruning artificial neural networks using neural complexity measures.

    PubMed

    Jorgensen, Thomas D; Haynes, Barry P; Norlund, Charlotte C F

    2008-10-01

    This paper describes a new method for pruning artificial neural networks, using a measure of the neural complexity of the neural network. This measure is used to determine the connections that should be pruned. The measure computes the information-theoretic complexity of a neural network, which is similar to, yet different from previous research on pruning. The method proposed here shows how overly large and complex networks can be reduced in size, whilst retaining learnt behaviour and fitness. The technique proposed here helps to discover a network topology that matches the complexity of the problem it is meant to solve. This novel pruning technique is tested in a robot control domain, simulating a racecar. It is shown, that the proposed pruning method is a significant improvement over the most commonly used pruning method Magnitude Based Pruning. Furthermore, some of the pruned networks prove to be faster learners than the benchmark network that they originate from. This means that this pruning method can also help to unleash hidden potential in a network, because the learning time decreases substantially for a pruned a network, due to the reduction of dimensionality of the network.

  2. Endocytic pathways downregulate the L1-type cell adhesion molecule neuroglian to promote dendrite pruning in Drosophila.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Heng; Wang, Yan; Wong, Jack Jing Lin; Lim, Kah-Leong; Liou, Yih-Cherng; Wang, Hongyan; Yu, Fengwei

    2014-08-25

    Pruning of unnecessary axons and/or dendrites is crucial for maturation of the nervous system. However, little is known about cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that control neuronal pruning. In Drosophila, dendritic arborization neurons, ddaCs, selectively prune their larval dendrites. Here, we report that Rab5/ESCRT-mediated endocytic pathways are critical for dendrite pruning. Loss of Rab5 or ESCRT function leads to robust accumulation of the L1-type CAM Neuroglian (Nrg) on enlarged endosomes in ddaC neurons. Nrg is localized on endosomes in wild-type ddaC neurons and downregulated prior to dendrite pruning. Overexpression of Nrg alone is sufficient to inhibit dendrite pruning, whereas removal of Nrg causes precocious dendrite pruning. Epistasis experiments indicate that Rab5 and ESCRT restrain the inhibitory role of Nrg during dendrite pruning. Thus, this study demonstrates the cell-surface molecule that controls dendrite pruning and defines an important mechanism whereby sensory neurons, via endolysosomal pathway, downregulate the cell-surface molecule to trigger dendrite pruning. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Effects of pruning height on the diameter growth of yellow birch

    Treesearch

    Dale S. Solomon; Barton M. Blum

    1977-01-01

    The diameter growth rate of pruned trees increased the second year after pruning, whereas the diameter growth of unpruned trees was not as fast during the second year. Diameter growth rate was positively correlated with the height to which all branches were pruned. After the pruning shock of the first year, trees pruned to 50 percent of their height showed the greatest...

  4. 7 CFR 993.50 - Outgoing regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... any lot of French prunes for human consumption as prunes, or any lot of mixed dried fruit containing French prunes for human consumption as mixed dried fruit, unless the average count of French prunes...

  5. 7 CFR 993.50 - Outgoing regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... any lot of French prunes for human consumption as prunes, or any lot of mixed dried fruit containing French prunes for human consumption as mixed dried fruit, unless the average count of French prunes...

  6. 7 CFR 993.50 - Outgoing regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... any lot of French prunes for human consumption as prunes, or any lot of mixed dried fruit containing French prunes for human consumption as mixed dried fruit, unless the average count of French prunes...

  7. 7 CFR 993.50 - Outgoing regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... any lot of French prunes for human consumption as prunes, or any lot of mixed dried fruit containing French prunes for human consumption as mixed dried fruit, unless the average count of French prunes...

  8. Early pruning affects 15-year growth of cottonwood planted at 40- by 40-foot spacing

    Treesearch

    James S. Meadows; Roger M. Krinard

    2013-01-01

    We compared the growth of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) trees planted at 40- by 40-foot spacing and subjected to four pruning treatments from the 2nd through the 8th year of growth. Treatments were (1) no pruning, (2) prune to one-third of total height annually, (3) prune to one-half of total height annually, and (4) prune...

  9. 7 CFR 81.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... means “Application for Prune Tree Removal Program.” (d) Committee means the Prune Marketing Committee... of prune-plum trees after approval of applications by the Committee through June 30, 2002. (f... prune/plums that are dehydrated into dried plums for market. (g) Removal means that the prune-plum trees...

  10. 7 CFR 993.6 - Non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Non-French prunes. 993.6 Section 993.6 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements... Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 993.6 Non-French prunes. Non-French prunes means prunes commonly...

  11. 7 CFR 993.6 - Non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Non-French prunes. 993.6 Section 993.6 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements... Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 993.6 Non-French prunes. Non-French prunes means prunes commonly...

  12. Quantifying pruning impacts on olive tree architecture and annual canopy growth by using UAV-based 3D modelling.

    PubMed

    Jiménez-Brenes, F M; López-Granados, F; de Castro, A I; Torres-Sánchez, J; Serrano, N; Peña, J M

    2017-01-01

    Tree pruning is a costly practice with important implications for crop harvest and nutrition, pest and disease control, soil protection and irrigation strategies. Investigations on tree pruning usually involve tedious on-ground measurements of the primary tree crown dimensions, which also might generate inconsistent results due to the irregular geometry of the trees. As an alternative to intensive field-work, this study shows a innovative procedure based on combining unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and advanced object-based image analysis (OBIA) methodology for multi-temporal three-dimensional (3D) monitoring of hundreds of olive trees that were pruned with three different strategies (traditional, adapted and mechanical pruning). The UAV images were collected before pruning, after pruning and a year after pruning, and the impacts of each pruning treatment on the projected canopy area, tree height and crown volume of every tree were quantified and analyzed over time. The full procedure described here automatically identified every olive tree on the orchard and computed their primary 3D dimensions on the three study dates with high accuracy in the most cases. Adapted pruning was generally the most aggressive treatment in terms of the area and volume (the trees decreased by 38.95 and 42.05% on average, respectively), followed by trees under traditional pruning (33.02 and 35.72% on average, respectively). Regarding the tree heights, mechanical pruning produced a greater decrease (12.15%), and these values were minimal for the other two treatments. The tree growth over one year was affected by the pruning severity and by the type of pruning treatment, i.e., the adapted-pruning trees experienced higher growth than the trees from the other two treatments when pruning intensity was low (<10%), similar to the traditionally pruned trees at moderate intensity (10-30%), and lower than the other trees when the pruning intensity was higher than 30% of the crown volume. Combining UAV-based images and an OBIA procedure allowed measuring tree dimensions and quantifying the impacts of three different pruning treatments on hundreds of trees with minimal field work. Tree foliage losses and annual canopy growth showed different trends as affected by the type and severity of the pruning treatments. Additionally, this technology offers valuable geo-spatial information for designing site-specific crop management strategies in the context of precision agriculture, with the consequent economic and environmental benefits.

  13. Pruning high-value Douglas-fir can reduce dwarf mistletoe severity and increase longevity in central Oregon

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Maffei, Helen M; Filip, Gregory M; Gruelke, Nancy E; Oblinger, Brent W; Margolis, Ellis; Chadwick, Kristen L

    2016-01-01

    Mid- to very large-sized Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menzieseii var. menziesii) that were lightly- to moderately-infected by dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium douglasii) were analyzed over a 14-year period to evaluate whether mechanical pruning could eradicate mistletoe (or at least delay the onset of severe infection) without significantly affecting tree vitality and by inference, longevity. Immediate and longterm pruning effects on mistletoe infection severity were assessed by comparing pruned trees (n = 173) to unpruned trees (n = 55) with respect to: (1) percentage of trees with no visible infections 14 years post-pruning, (2) Broom Volume Rating (BVR), and (3) rate of BVR increase 14 years postpruning. Vitality/longevity (compared with unpruned trees) was assessed using six indicators: (1) tree survival, (2) the development of severe infections, (3) the development of dead tops, (4) tree-ring width indices, (5) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from high-resolution multi-spectral imagery, and (6) live-crown ratio (LCR) and increment. Twenty-four percent of the pruned trees remained free of mistletoe 14 years post-pruning. Pruning is most likely to successfully eradicate mistletoe in lightly infected trees (BVR 1 or 2) without infected neighbors. Pruning significantly decreased mean BVR in the pruned versus the unpruned trees. However, the subsequent average rate of intensification (1.3–1.5 BVR per decade) was not affected, implying that a single pruning provides ~14 years respite in the progression of infection levels. Post-pruning infection intensification was slower on dominant and co-dominants than on intermediate or suppressed trees. The success of mistletoe eradication via pruning and need for follow-up pruning should be evaluated no sooner than 14 years after pruning to allow for the development of detectable brooms. Based on six indicators, foliage from witches brooms contribute little to long-term tree vitality since removal appears to have little effect on resources available for tree growth and maintenance. In the severely pruned trees, tree-ring width was reduced for several years post-pruning, but then compensated with larger ring width in later years. Both NDVI and LCR increment were significantly higher for the pruned trees than the control trees, while the development of severe infections and/or dead tops was significantly (5X and 3X) higher for the controls. If possible, multiple indicators of tree vitality should be evaluated. Pruning can be worthwhile even if all the mistletoe is not removed, because mistletoe intensification is delayed. The impact of removing the brooms seems to be minimal, and post-pruning crowns had greater NDVI values.

  14. Statistical Symbolic Execution with Informed Sampling

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Filieri, Antonio; Pasareanu, Corina S.; Visser, Willem; Geldenhuys, Jaco

    2014-01-01

    Symbolic execution techniques have been proposed recently for the probabilistic analysis of programs. These techniques seek to quantify the likelihood of reaching program events of interest, e.g., assert violations. They have many promising applications but have scalability issues due to high computational demand. To address this challenge, we propose a statistical symbolic execution technique that performs Monte Carlo sampling of the symbolic program paths and uses the obtained information for Bayesian estimation and hypothesis testing with respect to the probability of reaching the target events. To speed up the convergence of the statistical analysis, we propose Informed Sampling, an iterative symbolic execution that first explores the paths that have high statistical significance, prunes them from the state space and guides the execution towards less likely paths. The technique combines Bayesian estimation with a partial exact analysis for the pruned paths leading to provably improved convergence of the statistical analysis. We have implemented statistical symbolic execution with in- formed sampling in the Symbolic PathFinder tool. We show experimentally that the informed sampling obtains more precise results and converges faster than a purely statistical analysis and may also be more efficient than an exact symbolic analysis. When the latter does not terminate symbolic execution with informed sampling can give meaningful results under the same time and memory limits.

  15. PP prune users guide.

    Treesearch

    N.A. Bolon; R.D. Fight; J.M. Cahill

    1992-01-01

    The PP PRUNE program allows users to conduct a financial analysis of pruning ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.). The increase in product value and rate of return from pruning the butt 16.5-foot log can be estimated. Lumber recovery information is based on actual mill experience with pruned and unpruned logs. Users supply lumber prices...

  16. Financial analysis of pruning coast Douglas-fir.

    Treesearch

    Roger D. Fight; James M. Cahlll; Thomas D. Fahey; Thomas A. Snellgrove

    1987-01-01

    Pruning of coast Douglas-fir was evaluated; recent product recovery information for pruned and unpruned logs for both sawn and peeled products was used. Dimensions of pruned and unpruned trees were simulated with the Douglas-fir stand simulator (DFSIM). Results are presented for a range of sites, ages at time of pruning, ages at time of harvest, product prices, and...

  17. Better marking means cheaper pruning.

    Treesearch

    Kenneth R. Eversole

    1953-01-01

    Careful selection of trees to be pruned can make the difference between profit and loss on the pruning investment, especially in stands where no thinning is contemplated. Expert marking is required to make sure that the pruned trees will grow rapidly. The most important variable influencing the cost of clear wood produced by pruning is growth rate. For example, at 3...

  18. 7 CFR 993.409 - Undersized prune regulation for the 2002-03 crop year.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ...) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Undersized Prune Regulation § 993.409 Undersized prune...

  19. Formation of acrylamide at temperatures lower than 100°C: the case of prunes and a model study

    PubMed Central

    Becalski, A.; Brady, B.; Feng, S.; Gauthier, B.R.; Zhao, T.

    2011-01-01

    Acrylamide concentrations in prune products – baby strained prunes (range = 75–265 μg kg−−1), baby apple/prune juice (33–61 μg kg−−1), prune juice (186–916 μg kg−−1) and prunes (58–332 μg kg−−1) – on the Canadian market were determined. The formation of acrylamide in a simulated plum juice was also investigated under ‘drying conditions’ in an open vessel at temperatures <100°C for 24 h and under ‘wet conditions’ in a closed vessel at a temperature of 120°C for 1 h. Acrylamide was produced in a simulated plum juice under ‘drying conditions’ in amounts comparable with those found in prunes and prune juices. Acrylamide was not produced in simulated plum juice under ‘wet conditions’ in a closed vessel at temperature of 120°C for 1 h, but under the same condition an authentic prune juice doubled its acrylamide concentration. Formation of acrylamide in prune products was attributed to the presence of asparagine and sugars in the starting materials. PMID:21623495

  20. Ten Years' Growth of Pruned and Unpruned Cottonwood Planted at 40- by 40-Foot Spacing

    Treesearch

    Roger M. Krinard

    1985-01-01

    Diameters at age 10 of cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) select clone Stoneville 66 planted at 40- by 40-foot spacing varied from 13.4 to 16.4 inches depending on height of pruning. Pruning treatments, applied from the 2nd through 8th years, were (1) unpruned, (2) pruned to a third of height yearly, (3) pruned to half of height yearly...

  1. 7 CFR 993.8 - Natural condition prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Natural condition prunes. 993.8 Section 993.8 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing... CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 993.8 Natural condition prunes. Natural condition prunes...

  2. 7 CFR 993.8 - Natural condition prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Natural condition prunes. 993.8 Section 993.8 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing... CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 993.8 Natural condition prunes. Natural condition prunes...

  3. Visual tracking based on the sparse representation of the PCA subspace

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Dian-bing; Zhu, Ming; Wang, Hui-li

    2017-09-01

    We construct a collaborative model of the sparse representation and the subspace representation. First, we represent the tracking target in the principle component analysis (PCA) subspace, and then we employ an L 1 regularization to restrict the sparsity of the residual term, an L 2 regularization term to restrict the sparsity of the representation coefficients, and an L 2 norm to restrict the distance between the reconstruction and the target. Then we implement the algorithm in the particle filter framework. Furthermore, an iterative method is presented to get the global minimum of the residual and the coefficients. Finally, an alternative template update scheme is adopted to avoid the tracking drift which is caused by the inaccurate update. In the experiment, we test the algorithm on 9 sequences, and compare the results with 5 state-of-art methods. According to the results, we can conclude that our algorithm is more robust than the other methods.

  4. 7 CFR 993.149 - Receiving of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED... certifies that the dehydration process of the prunes being certified resulted in prunes eligible to be... conditioning by further drying or dehydration: Provided, That such prunes shall be identified and kept separate...

  5. Feature Extraction of Event-Related Potentials Using Wavelets: An Application to Human Performance Monitoring

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Trejo, Leonard J.; Shensa, Mark J.; Remington, Roger W. (Technical Monitor)

    1998-01-01

    This report describes the development and evaluation of mathematical models for predicting human performance from discrete wavelet transforms (DWT) of event-related potentials (ERP) elicited by task-relevant stimuli. The DWT was compared to principal components analysis (PCA) for representation of ERPs in linear regression and neural network models developed to predict a composite measure of human signal detection performance. Linear regression models based on coefficients of the decimated DWT predicted signal detection performance with half as many f ree parameters as comparable models based on PCA scores. In addition, the DWT-based models were more resistant to model degradation due to over-fitting than PCA-based models. Feed-forward neural networks were trained using the backpropagation,-, algorithm to predict signal detection performance based on raw ERPs, PCA scores, or high-power coefficients of the DWT. Neural networks based on high-power DWT coefficients trained with fewer iterations, generalized to new data better, and were more resistant to overfitting than networks based on raw ERPs. Networks based on PCA scores did not generalize to new data as well as either the DWT network or the raw ERP network. The results show that wavelet expansions represent the ERP efficiently and extract behaviorally important features for use in linear regression or neural network models of human performance. The efficiency of the DWT is discussed in terms of its decorrelation and energy compaction properties. In addition, the DWT models provided evidence that a pattern of low-frequency activity (1 to 3.5 Hz) occurring at specific times and scalp locations is a reliable correlate of human signal detection performance.

  6. Feature extraction of event-related potentials using wavelets: an application to human performance monitoring

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Trejo, L. J.; Shensa, M. J.

    1999-01-01

    This report describes the development and evaluation of mathematical models for predicting human performance from discrete wavelet transforms (DWT) of event-related potentials (ERP) elicited by task-relevant stimuli. The DWT was compared to principal components analysis (PCA) for representation of ERPs in linear regression and neural network models developed to predict a composite measure of human signal detection performance. Linear regression models based on coefficients of the decimated DWT predicted signal detection performance with half as many free parameters as comparable models based on PCA scores. In addition, the DWT-based models were more resistant to model degradation due to over-fitting than PCA-based models. Feed-forward neural networks were trained using the backpropagation algorithm to predict signal detection performance based on raw ERPs, PCA scores, or high-power coefficients of the DWT. Neural networks based on high-power DWT coefficients trained with fewer iterations, generalized to new data better, and were more resistant to overfitting than networks based on raw ERPs. Networks based on PCA scores did not generalize to new data as well as either the DWT network or the raw ERP network. The results show that wavelet expansions represent the ERP efficiently and extract behaviorally important features for use in linear regression or neural network models of human performance. The efficiency of the DWT is discussed in terms of its decorrelation and energy compaction properties. In addition, the DWT models provided evidence that a pattern of low-frequency activity (1 to 3.5 Hz) occurring at specific times and scalp locations is a reliable correlate of human signal detection performance. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

  7. Development of Indicators to Assess Quality of Care for Prostate Cancer.

    PubMed

    Nag, Nupur; Millar, Jeremy; Davis, Ian D; Costello, Shaun; Duthie, James B; Mark, Stephen; Delprado, Warick; Smith, David; Pryor, David; Galvin, David; Sullivan, Frank; Murphy, Áine C; Roder, David; Elsaleh, Hany; Currow, David; White, Craig; Skala, Marketa; Moretti, Kim L; Walker, Tony; De Ieso, Paolo; Brooks, Andrew; Heathcote, Peter; Frydenberg, Mark; Thavaseelan, Jeffery; Evans, Sue M

    2016-02-20

    The development, monitoring, and reporting of indicator measures that describe standard of care provide the gold standard for assessing quality of care and patient outcomes. Although indicator measures have been reported, little evidence of their use in measuring and benchmarking performance is available. A standard set, defining numerator, denominator, and risk adjustments, will enable global benchmarking of quality of care. To develop a set of indicators to enable assessment and reporting of quality of care for men with localised prostate cancer (PCa). Candidate indicators were identified from the literature. An international panel was invited to participate in a modified Delphi process. Teleconferences were held before and after each voting round to provide instruction and to review results. Panellists were asked to rate each proposed indicator on a Likert scale of 1-9 in a two-round iterative process. Calculations required to report on the endorsed indicators were evaluated and modified to reflect the data capture of the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry-Australia and New Zealand (PCOR-ANZ). A total of 97 candidate indicators were identified, of which 12 were endorsed. The set includes indicators covering pre-, intra-, and post-treatment of PCa care, within the limits of the data captured by PCOR-ANZ. The 12 endorsed quality measures enable international benchmarking on the quality of care of men with localised PCa. Reporting on these indicators enhances safety and efficacy of treatment, reduces variation in care, and can improve patient outcomes. PCa has the highest incidence of all cancers in men. Early diagnosis and relatively high survival rates mean issues of quality of care and best possible health outcomes for patients are important. This paper identifies 12 important measurable quality indicators in PCa care. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Veneer grade yield from pruned Douglas-fir.

    Treesearch

    Edward J. II Dimock; Henry H. Haskell

    1962-01-01

    This paper reports actual veneer yields obtained from 10 trees pruned at age 38 and harvested 20 years later. Information of this kind is needed to help determine if and when to prune and ultimately will be essential to a thorough economic analysis of expected returns from pruning.

  9. 7 CFR 993.22 - Consumer package.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... container holding less than 10 pounds of prunes and other dried fruit if more than 60 percent of the net weight of mixed dried fruit in the lot consists of standard processed prunes or standard prunes. ...

  10. 7 CFR 993.22 - Consumer package.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... container holding less than 10 pounds of prunes and other dried fruit if more than 60 percent of the net weight of mixed dried fruit in the lot consists of standard processed prunes or standard prunes. ...

  11. 7 CFR 993.22 - Consumer package.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... container holding less than 10 pounds of prunes and other dried fruit if more than 60 percent of the net weight of mixed dried fruit in the lot consists of standard processed prunes or standard prunes. ...

  12. 7 CFR 993.5 - Prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 993.5 Prunes. Prunes means and includes all sun-dried or artificially...) plums which have not been dried or dehydrated to a point where they are capable of being stored prior to...

  13. 7 CFR 993.5 - Prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 993.5 Prunes. Prunes means and includes all sun-dried or artificially...) plums which have not been dried or dehydrated to a point where they are capable of being stored prior to...

  14. 7 CFR 993.5 - Prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 993.5 Prunes. Prunes means and includes all sun-dried or artificially...) plums which have not been dried or dehydrated to a point where they are capable of being stored prior to...

  15. 7 CFR 993.5 - Prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 993.5 Prunes. Prunes means and includes all sun-dried or artificially...) plums which have not been dried or dehydrated to a point where they are capable of being stored prior to...

  16. Preventing Trunk Diseases in the Vineyard: Choosing the Best Practices

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Over years of research on control of grapevine trunk diseases, field trials identified cultural and chemical practices that prevent and limit infections of pruning wounds by the spores. These practices include delayed pruning, double pruning, and applications of pruning-wound protectants (e.g., thio...

  17. Distribution of a low dose compound within pharmaceutical tablet by using multivariate curve resolution on Raman hyperspectral images.

    PubMed

    Boiret, Mathieu; de Juan, Anna; Gorretta, Nathalie; Ginot, Yves-Michel; Roger, Jean-Michel

    2015-01-25

    In this work, Raman hyperspectral images and multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) are used to study the distribution of actives and excipients within a pharmaceutical drug product. This article is mainly focused on the distribution of a low dose constituent. Different approaches are compared, using initially filtered or non-filtered data, or using a column-wise augmented dataset before starting the MCR-ALS iterative process including appended information on the low dose component. In the studied formulation, magnesium stearate is used as a lubricant to improve powder flowability. With a theoretical concentration of 0.5% (w/w) in the drug product, the spectral variance contained in the data is weak. By using a principal component analysis (PCA) filtered dataset as a first step of the MCR-ALS approach, the lubricant information is lost in the non-explained variance and its associated distribution in the tablet cannot be highlighted. A sufficient number of components to generate the PCA noise-filtered matrix has to be used in order to keep the lubricant variability within the data set analyzed or, otherwise, work with the raw non-filtered data. Different models are built using an increasing number of components to perform the PCA reduction. It is shown that the magnesium stearate information can be extracted from a PCA model using a minimum of 20 components. In the last part, a column-wise augmented matrix, including a reference spectrum of the lubricant, is used before starting MCR-ALS process. PCA reduction is performed on the augmented matrix, so the magnesium stearate contribution is included within the MCR-ALS calculations. By using an appropriate PCA reduction, with a sufficient number of components, or by using an augmented dataset including appended information on the low dose component, the distribution of the two actives, the two main excipients and the low dose lubricant are correctly recovered. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Effects of root pruning on the physicochemical properties and microbial activities of poplar rhizosphere soil.

    PubMed

    Jing, Da-Wei; Liu, Fang-Chun; Wang, Ming-You; Ma, Hai-Lin; Du, Zhen-Yu; Ma, Bing-Yao; Dong, Yu-Feng

    2017-01-01

    This study aimed to determine the effects of root pruning on the physicochemical characteristics and microbial activities of poplar rhizosphere soil. The root systems of 5-year-old poplar (Populus×euramericana cv. 'Neva') trees were manually pruned at 6, 8, or 10 times diameter at breast height (DBH) from the trunk (severe, moderate, and light, respectively) along both inter-row sides. Moderate root pruning significantly increased the concentrations of amino acids, organic acids, and total sugars in the root exudates and decreased the pH of rhizosphere soil. This treatment also increased the contents of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and total organic carbon as well as high-, medium-, and low-activity organic carbon in rhizosphere soil. Moreover, moderate pruning increased the contents of microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and enhanced basal respiration, in addition to decreasing the metabolic quotients in rhizosphere soil by 8.9%, 5.0%, and 11.4% compared with control, light, and severe root pruning treatments, respectively. Moderate pruning increased the growth rates of DBH, tree height, and volume to the highest levels. Furthermore, these indices were not significantly different between the light root pruning and control groups, but varied significantly between severe and moderate root-pruning treatments. Thus, root pruning, depending on the distance from the trunk, significantly influences the physicochemical properties and microbial activities in poplar rhizosphere soil.

  19. Effects of root pruning on the physicochemical properties and microbial activities of poplar rhizosphere soil

    PubMed Central

    Jing, Da-Wei; Liu, Fang-Chun; Wang, Ming-You; Ma, Hai-Lin; Du, Zhen-Yu; Ma, Bing-Yao; Dong, Yu-Feng

    2017-01-01

    This study aimed to determine the effects of root pruning on the physicochemical characteristics and microbial activities of poplar rhizosphere soil. The root systems of 5-year-old poplar (Populus×euramericana cv. ‘Neva’) trees were manually pruned at 6, 8, or 10 times diameter at breast height (DBH) from the trunk (severe, moderate, and light, respectively) along both inter-row sides. Moderate root pruning significantly increased the concentrations of amino acids, organic acids, and total sugars in the root exudates and decreased the pH of rhizosphere soil. This treatment also increased the contents of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and total organic carbon as well as high-, medium-, and low-activity organic carbon in rhizosphere soil. Moreover, moderate pruning increased the contents of microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and enhanced basal respiration, in addition to decreasing the metabolic quotients in rhizosphere soil by 8.9%, 5.0%, and 11.4% compared with control, light, and severe root pruning treatments, respectively. Moderate pruning increased the growth rates of DBH, tree height, and volume to the highest levels. Furthermore, these indices were not significantly different between the light root pruning and control groups, but varied significantly between severe and moderate root-pruning treatments. Thus, root pruning, depending on the distance from the trunk, significantly influences the physicochemical properties and microbial activities in poplar rhizosphere soil. PMID:29117215

  20. Growth of white pine and red spruce trees after pruning

    Treesearch

    Grant Davis

    1958-01-01

    Are pines the only coniferous trees suitable for pruning in the Northeast, or is it feasible to prune red spruce as well? Although red spruce is an important lumber species in the spruce-fir region, it is seldom pruned because of its relatively slow rate of growth.

  1. 7 CFR 993.149 - Receiving of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... certifies that the dehydration process of the prunes being certified resulted in prunes eligible to be... conditioning by further drying or dehydration: Provided, That such prunes shall be identified and kept separate... with such drying or dehydration, notify an inspector of the inspection service of his election, and the...

  2. 7 CFR 993.149 - Receiving of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... certifies that the dehydration process of the prunes being certified resulted in prunes eligible to be... conditioning by further drying or dehydration: Provided, That such prunes shall be identified and kept separate... with such drying or dehydration, notify an inspector of the inspection service of his election, and the...

  3. 7 CFR 993.149 - Receiving of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... certifies that the dehydration process of the prunes being certified resulted in prunes eligible to be... conditioning by further drying or dehydration: Provided, That such prunes shall be identified and kept separate... with such drying or dehydration, notify an inspector of the inspection service of his election, and the...

  4. 7 CFR 993.149 - Receiving of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... certifies that the dehydration process of the prunes being certified resulted in prunes eligible to be... conditioning by further drying or dehydration: Provided, That such prunes shall be identified and kept separate... with such drying or dehydration, notify an inspector of the inspection service of his election, and the...

  5. Grapevine pruning systems and cultivars influence the diversity of wood-colonizing fungi

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Grapevines host diverse fungal species, including pruning-wound pathogens and wood decomposers, with detrimental effects on crop productivity. This study aims at comparing the effects of two pruning systems, minimal (min-) or spur-pruning, on the sanitary status of vine trunks and the diversity of w...

  6. How to Prune Trees

    Treesearch

    Peter Bedker; Joseph O' Brien; Manfred Mielke

    2012-01-01

    The objective of pruning is to produce strong, healthy, attractive plants. By understanding how, when and why to prune, and by following a few simple principles, this objective can be achievedHow to Prune Trees (Revised 2012) Agency Publisher: Agriculture Dept., Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Price forestry USA List Price:$4.00 Sale...

  7. Grower perceptions of preventative practices for management of trunk diseases of grape

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Trials on prevention of trunk diseases (e.g., Eutypa dieback) show that three practices [delayed pruning, double pruning, pruning-wound protectants] prevent pruning-wound infections by 25-100%. Nonetheless, they are often not adopted until disease incidence is >20% in mature vineyards. There are no ...

  8. Making the case for early adoption of preventative practices for management of grapevine trunk diseases

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Experimental trials on prevention of trunk diseases Botryosphaeria dieback, Esca, and Eutypa dieback have shown that delayed pruning, double pruning, and applications of the pruning-wound protectant thiophanate-methyl (Topsin) can reduce pruning-wound infections by 25-75%. Despite this biological e...

  9. The Network Structure of Human Personality According to the NEO-PI-R: Matching Network Community Structure to Factor Structure

    PubMed Central

    Goekoop, Rutger; Goekoop, Jaap G.; Scholte, H. Steven

    2012-01-01

    Introduction Human personality is described preferentially in terms of factors (dimensions) found using factor analysis. An alternative and highly related method is network analysis, which may have several advantages over factor analytic methods. Aim To directly compare the ability of network community detection (NCD) and principal component factor analysis (PCA) to examine modularity in multidimensional datasets such as the neuroticism-extraversion-openness personality inventory revised (NEO-PI-R). Methods 434 healthy subjects were tested on the NEO-PI-R. PCA was performed to extract factor structures (FS) of the current dataset using both item scores and facet scores. Correlational network graphs were constructed from univariate correlation matrices of interactions between both items and facets. These networks were pruned in a link-by-link fashion while calculating the network community structure (NCS) of each resulting network using the Wakita Tsurumi clustering algorithm. NCSs were matched against FS and networks of best matches were kept for further analysis. Results At facet level, NCS showed a best match (96.2%) with a ‘confirmatory’ 5-FS. At item level, NCS showed a best match (80%) with the standard 5-FS and involved a total of 6 network clusters. Lesser matches were found with ‘confirmatory’ 5-FS and ‘exploratory’ 6-FS of the current dataset. Network analysis did not identify facets as a separate level of organization in between items and clusters. A small-world network structure was found in both item- and facet level networks. Conclusion We present the first optimized network graph of personality traits according to the NEO-PI-R: a ‘Personality Web’. Such a web may represent the possible routes that subjects can take during personality development. NCD outperforms PCA by producing plausible modularity at item level in non-standard datasets, and can identify the key roles of individual items and clusters in the network. PMID:23284713

  10. The network structure of human personality according to the NEO-PI-R: matching network community structure to factor structure.

    PubMed

    Goekoop, Rutger; Goekoop, Jaap G; Scholte, H Steven

    2012-01-01

    Human personality is described preferentially in terms of factors (dimensions) found using factor analysis. An alternative and highly related method is network analysis, which may have several advantages over factor analytic methods. To directly compare the ability of network community detection (NCD) and principal component factor analysis (PCA) to examine modularity in multidimensional datasets such as the neuroticism-extraversion-openness personality inventory revised (NEO-PI-R). 434 healthy subjects were tested on the NEO-PI-R. PCA was performed to extract factor structures (FS) of the current dataset using both item scores and facet scores. Correlational network graphs were constructed from univariate correlation matrices of interactions between both items and facets. These networks were pruned in a link-by-link fashion while calculating the network community structure (NCS) of each resulting network using the Wakita Tsurumi clustering algorithm. NCSs were matched against FS and networks of best matches were kept for further analysis. At facet level, NCS showed a best match (96.2%) with a 'confirmatory' 5-FS. At item level, NCS showed a best match (80%) with the standard 5-FS and involved a total of 6 network clusters. Lesser matches were found with 'confirmatory' 5-FS and 'exploratory' 6-FS of the current dataset. Network analysis did not identify facets as a separate level of organization in between items and clusters. A small-world network structure was found in both item- and facet level networks. We present the first optimized network graph of personality traits according to the NEO-PI-R: a 'Personality Web'. Such a web may represent the possible routes that subjects can take during personality development. NCD outperforms PCA by producing plausible modularity at item level in non-standard datasets, and can identify the key roles of individual items and clusters in the network.

  11. Dictionary Pruning with Visual Word Significance for Medical Image Retrieval

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Fan; Song, Yang; Cai, Weidong; Hauptmann, Alexander G.; Liu, Sidong; Pujol, Sonia; Kikinis, Ron; Fulham, Michael J; Feng, David Dagan; Chen, Mei

    2016-01-01

    Content-based medical image retrieval (CBMIR) is an active research area for disease diagnosis and treatment but it can be problematic given the small visual variations between anatomical structures. We propose a retrieval method based on a bag-of-visual-words (BoVW) to identify discriminative characteristics between different medical images with Pruned Dictionary based on Latent Semantic Topic description. We refer to this as the PD-LST retrieval. Our method has two main components. First, we calculate a topic-word significance value for each visual word given a certain latent topic to evaluate how the word is connected to this latent topic. The latent topics are learnt, based on the relationship between the images and words, and are employed to bridge the gap between low-level visual features and high-level semantics. These latent topics describe the images and words semantically and can thus facilitate more meaningful comparisons between the words. Second, we compute an overall-word significance value to evaluate the significance of a visual word within the entire dictionary. We designed an iterative ranking method to measure overall-word significance by considering the relationship between all latent topics and words. The words with higher values are considered meaningful with more significant discriminative power in differentiating medical images. We evaluated our method on two public medical imaging datasets and it showed improved retrieval accuracy and efficiency. PMID:27688597

  12. Dictionary Pruning with Visual Word Significance for Medical Image Retrieval.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Fan; Song, Yang; Cai, Weidong; Hauptmann, Alexander G; Liu, Sidong; Pujol, Sonia; Kikinis, Ron; Fulham, Michael J; Feng, David Dagan; Chen, Mei

    2016-02-12

    Content-based medical image retrieval (CBMIR) is an active research area for disease diagnosis and treatment but it can be problematic given the small visual variations between anatomical structures. We propose a retrieval method based on a bag-of-visual-words (BoVW) to identify discriminative characteristics between different medical images with Pruned Dictionary based on Latent Semantic Topic description. We refer to this as the PD-LST retrieval. Our method has two main components. First, we calculate a topic-word significance value for each visual word given a certain latent topic to evaluate how the word is connected to this latent topic. The latent topics are learnt, based on the relationship between the images and words, and are employed to bridge the gap between low-level visual features and high-level semantics. These latent topics describe the images and words semantically and can thus facilitate more meaningful comparisons between the words. Second, we compute an overall-word significance value to evaluate the significance of a visual word within the entire dictionary. We designed an iterative ranking method to measure overall-word significance by considering the relationship between all latent topics and words. The words with higher values are considered meaningful with more significant discriminative power in differentiating medical images. We evaluated our method on two public medical imaging datasets and it showed improved retrieval accuracy and efficiency.

  13. 21 CFR 145.190 - Canned prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Canned prunes. 145.190 Section 145.190 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN...) Ingredients. Canned prunes is the food prepared from dried prunes, which may be packed as a solid pack or in...

  14. 21 CFR 145.190 - Canned prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Canned prunes. 145.190 Section 145.190 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN...) Ingredients. Canned prunes is the food prepared from dried prunes, which may be packed as a solid pack or in...

  15. 21 CFR 145.190 - Canned prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Canned prunes. 145.190 Section 145.190 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN...) Ingredients. Canned prunes is the food prepared from dried prunes, which may be packed as a solid pack or in...

  16. Pruning open-grown black cherry

    Treesearch

    T. J. Grisez

    1967-01-01

    Black cherry trees that had large crown ratios and were 4 to 6 inches d. b. h. were pruned to various heights. Epicormic sprouting was severe and diameter growth at breast height was reduced on trees pruned to 75 percent of their height. Most trees pruned to 50 percent show little or no adverse effect after 3 years.

  17. 21 CFR 146.187 - Canned prune juice.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... Beverages § 146.187 Canned prune juice. (a) Canned prune juice is the food prepared from a water extract of... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Canned prune juice. 146.187 Section 146.187 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR...

  18. 7 CFR 993.159 - Payments for services performed with respect to reserve tonnage prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... (natural condition rate) for necessary services rendered by the handler in connection with such prunes so... year when the Committee recommends a reserve pool (except the Committee may extend this date by not... tonnage prunes. The Committee will compute the average industry cost for holding reserve pool prunes by...

  19. 7 CFR 993.159 - Payments for services performed with respect to reserve tonnage prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... (natural condition rate) for necessary services rendered by the handler in connection with such prunes so... year when the Committee recommends a reserve pool (except the Committee may extend this date by not... tonnage prunes. The Committee will compute the average industry cost for holding reserve pool prunes by...

  20. Coast redwood responses to pruning

    Treesearch

    Kevin L. O' Hara

    2012-01-01

    A large-scale pruning study was established in the winter of 1999 to 2000 at seven different sites on Green Diamond Resource Company forestlands in Humboldt County. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of pruning on increment, epicormic sprouting, stem taper, heartwood formation, and bear damage on these young trees. Pruning treatments varied...

  1. Process and formulation effects on solar thermal drum dried prune pomace

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The processing of dried plums into prune juice and concentrate yields prune pomace as a coproduct; the pomace could potentially be utilized as a food ingredient but requires stabilization for long-term storage. Drum drying is one method that could be used to dry and stabilize prune pomace, and a dru...

  2. Growth and Branching of Young Cottonwoods After Pruning

    Treesearch

    Roger M. Krinard

    1976-01-01

    Although spring and summer pruning to various heights reduced diameter growth for the treatment year, diameter increment of most pruned trees did not differ significantly from that of controls 2 years after treatment. Total diameter growth during the test period was significantly less for pruned trees than for controls. Epicormic branching increased with spring...

  3. 7 CFR 993.501 - Consumer package of prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Consumer package of prunes. 993.501 Section 993.501... CALIFORNIA Pack Specification as to Size Definitions § 993.501 Consumer package of prunes. Consumer package of prunes means consumer package as defined in § 993.22. Effective Date Note: At 70 FR 30613, May 27...

  4. Involvements of PCD and changes in gene expression profile during self-pruning of spring shoots in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis).

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jin-Zhi; Zhao, Kun; Ai, Xiao-Yan; Hu, Chun-Gen

    2014-10-13

    Citrus shoot tips abscise at an anatomically distinct abscission zone (AZ) that separates the top part of the shoots into basal and apical portions (citrus self-pruning). Cell separation occurs only at the AZ, which suggests its cells have distinctive molecular regulation. Although several studies have looked into the morphological aspects of self-pruning process, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, the hallmarks of programmed cell death (PCD) were identified by TUNEL experiments, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and histochemical staining for reactive oxygen species (ROS) during self-pruning of the spring shoots in sweet orange. Our results indicated that PCD occurred systematically and progressively and may play an important role in the control of self-pruning of citrus. Microarray analysis was used to examine transcriptome changes at three stages of self-pruning, and 1,378 differentially expressed genes were identified. Some genes were related to PCD, while others were associated with cell wall biosynthesis or metabolism. These results strongly suggest that abscission layers activate both catabolic and anabolic wall modification pathways during the self-pruning process. In addition, a strong correlation was observed between self-pruning and the expression of hormone-related genes. Self-pruning plays an important role in citrus floral bud initiation. Therefore, several key flowering homologs of Arabidopsis and tomato shoot apical meristem (SAM) activity genes were investigated in sweet orange by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization, and the results indicated that these genes were preferentially expressed in SAM as well as axillary meristem. Based on these findings, a model for sweet orange spring shoot self-pruning is proposed, which will enable us to better understand the mechanism of self-pruning and abscission.

  5. Effects of Pruning Teak

    Treesearch

    C. B. Briscoe; R. W. Nobles

    1966-01-01

    Teak plantations, 8 to 10 years old, were pruned to improve log quality. Of the pruned trees at the ends of rows and adjacent to road clearings, 40 percent produced adventitious branches; 28 percent of trees within the stand branched; only 6 percent of trees inside the stand but without immediate n eighbors re-branched. Trees pruned in August branched less than those...

  6. Pruning and occurrence of heart rot in young Douglas-fir.

    Treesearch

    Thomas W. Childs; Ernest Wright

    1956-01-01

    Heart rot is sometimes common in pole-size Douglas-firs that had been heavily live-pruned for trail clearance when they were long-crowned saplings, This observation suggested that benefits from pruning for quality increment might be reduced appreciably by heart rot infections occurring through pruning wounds. The study described in this paper was therefore undertaken...

  7. Financial analysis of pruning ponderosa pine.

    Treesearch

    Roger D. Fight; Natalie A. Bolon; James M. Cahill

    1992-01-01

    A recent lumber recovery study of pruned and unpruned ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) was used to project the financial return from pruning ponderosa pine in the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management and in the Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests. The cost of pruning at which the investment would yield an expected 4-...

  8. Phenotype profiling and multivariate statistical analysis of Spur-pruning type Grapevine in National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR, Davis)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Most Korean vineyards employed spur-pruning type modified-T trellis system. This produce system is suitable to spur-pruning type cultivars. But most European table grape is not adaptable to this produce system because their fruitfulness is sufficient to cane-pruning type system. Total 20 of fruit ch...

  9. RMP: Reduced-set matching pursuit approach for efficient compressed sensing signal reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Abdel-Sayed, Michael M; Khattab, Ahmed; Abu-Elyazeed, Mohamed F

    2016-11-01

    Compressed sensing enables the acquisition of sparse signals at a rate that is much lower than the Nyquist rate. Compressed sensing initially adopted [Formula: see text] minimization for signal reconstruction which is computationally expensive. Several greedy recovery algorithms have been recently proposed for signal reconstruction at a lower computational complexity compared to the optimal [Formula: see text] minimization, while maintaining a good reconstruction accuracy. In this paper, the Reduced-set Matching Pursuit (RMP) greedy recovery algorithm is proposed for compressed sensing. Unlike existing approaches which either select too many or too few values per iteration, RMP aims at selecting the most sufficient number of correlation values per iteration, which improves both the reconstruction time and error. Furthermore, RMP prunes the estimated signal, and hence, excludes the incorrectly selected values. The RMP algorithm achieves a higher reconstruction accuracy at a significantly low computational complexity compared to existing greedy recovery algorithms. It is even superior to [Formula: see text] minimization in terms of the normalized time-error product, a new metric introduced to measure the trade-off between the reconstruction time and error. RMP superior performance is illustrated with both noiseless and noisy samples.

  10. Control of Spine Maturation and Pruning through ProBDNF Synthesized and Released in Dendrites

    PubMed Central

    Orefice, Lauren L.; Shih, Chien-Cheng; Xu, Haifei; Waterhouse, Emily G.; Xu, Baoji

    2015-01-01

    Excess synapses formed during early postnatal development are pruned over an extended period, while the remaining synapses mature. Synapse pruning is critical for activity-dependent refinement of neuronal connections and its dysregulation has been found in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders; however, the mechanism underlying synapse pruning remains largely unknown. As dendritic spines are the postsynaptic sites for the vast majority of excitatory synapses, spine maturation and pruning are indicators for maturation and elimination of these synapses. Our previous studies have found that dendritically localized mRNA for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates spine maturation and pruning. Here we investigated the mechanism by which dendritic Bdnf mRNA, but not somatically restricted Bdnf mRNA, promotes spine maturation and pruning. We found that neuronal activity stimulates both translation of dendritic Bdnf mRNA and secretion of its translation product mainly as proBDNF. The secreted proBDNF promotes spine maturation and pruning, and its effect on spine pruning is in part mediated by the p75NTR receptor via RhoA activation. Furthermore, some proBDNF is extracellularly converted to mature BDNF and then promotes maturation of stimulated spines by activating Rac1 through the TrkB receptor. In contrast, translation of somatic Bdnf mRNA and the release of its translation product mainly as mature BDNF are independent of action potentials. These results not only reveal a biochemical pathway regulating synapse pruning, but also suggest that BDNF synthesized in the soma and dendrites is released through distinct secretory pathways. PMID:26705735

  11. Feature pruning by upstream drainage area to support automated generalization of the United States National Hydrography Dataset

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Stanislawski, L.V.

    2009-01-01

    The United States Geological Survey has been researching generalization approaches to enable multiple-scale display and delivery of geographic data. This paper presents automated methods to prune network and polygon features of the United States high-resolution National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) to lower resolutions. Feature-pruning rules, data enrichment, and partitioning are derived from knowledge of surface water, the NHD model, and associated feature specification standards. Relative prominence of network features is estimated from upstream drainage area (UDA). Network and polygon features are pruned by UDA and NHD reach code to achieve a drainage density appropriate for any less detailed map scale. Data partitioning maintains local drainage density variations that characterize the terrain. For demonstration, a 48 subbasin area of 1:24 000-scale NHD was pruned to 1:100 000-scale (100 K) and compared to a benchmark, the 100 K NHD. The coefficient of line correspondence (CLC) is used to evaluate how well pruned network features match the benchmark network. CLC values of 0.82 and 0.77 result from pruning with and without partitioning, respectively. The number of polygons that remain after pruning is about seven times that of the benchmark, but the area covered by the polygons that remain after pruning is only about 10% greater than the area covered by benchmark polygons. ?? 2009.

  12. Prune belly syndrome

    MedlinePlus

    ... treat or help prevent urinary tract infections. Support Groups The following resources can provide more information on prune belly syndrome: Prune Belly Syndrome Network -- www.prunebelly.org National Organization for Rare Disorders -- ...

  13. Ten-year observations on pruned ponderosa and jeffrey pine

    Treesearch

    Donald T. Gordon

    1959-01-01

    In 1956 Hallinl reported some observed effects of pruning ponderosa and Jeffrey pine based on the response after 5 years. This report is an extension of those observations, after a 10-year reexamination of the experiment. Hallin suggested that half the live crown, or six-tenths of total height of the tree could be pruned without adverse effects on growth. Pruning out...

  14. PRUNE is crucial for normal brain development and mutated in microcephaly with neurodevelopmental impairment.

    PubMed

    Zollo, Massimo; Ahmed, Mustafa; Ferrucci, Veronica; Salpietro, Vincenzo; Asadzadeh, Fatemeh; Carotenuto, Marianeve; Maroofian, Reza; Al-Amri, Ahmed; Singh, Royana; Scognamiglio, Iolanda; Mojarrad, Majid; Musella, Luca; Duilio, Angela; Di Somma, Angela; Karaca, Ender; Rajab, Anna; Al-Khayat, Aisha; Mohan Mohapatra, Tribhuvan; Eslahi, Atieh; Ashrafzadeh, Farah; Rawlins, Lettie E; Prasad, Rajniti; Gupta, Rashmi; Kumari, Preeti; Srivastava, Mona; Cozzolino, Flora; Kumar Rai, Sunil; Monti, Maria; Harlalka, Gaurav V; Simpson, Michael A; Rich, Philip; Al-Salmi, Fatema; Patton, Michael A; Chioza, Barry A; Efthymiou, Stephanie; Granata, Francesca; Di Rosa, Gabriella; Wiethoff, Sarah; Borgione, Eugenia; Scuderi, Carmela; Mankad, Kshitij; Hanna, Michael G; Pucci, Piero; Houlden, Henry; Lupski, James R; Crosby, Andrew H; Baple, Emma L

    2017-04-01

    PRUNE is a member of the DHH (Asp-His-His) phosphoesterase protein superfamily of molecules important for cell motility, and implicated in cancer progression. Here we investigated multiple families from Oman, India, Iran and Italy with individuals affected by a new autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorder in which the cardinal features include primary microcephaly and profound global developmental delay. Our genetic studies identified biallelic mutations of PRUNE1 as responsible. Our functional assays of disease-associated variant alleles revealed impaired microtubule polymerization, as well as cell migration and proliferation properties, of mutant PRUNE. Additionally, our studies also highlight a potential new role for PRUNE during microtubule polymerization, which is essential for the cytoskeletal rearrangements that occur during cellular division and proliferation. Together these studies define PRUNE as a molecule fundamental for normal human cortical development and define cellular and clinical consequences associated with PRUNE mutation. © The Author (2017). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain.

  15. Five Years' Growth of Pruned and Unpruned Cottonwood Planted at 40- by 40-Foot Spacing

    Treesearch

    Roger M. Krinard

    1979-01-01

    Four pruning treatments have been applied for 5 years on cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.) select clone Stoneville 66, planted at 40- by 40-ft spacing. As pruning severity increased, average diameter and maximum crown width decreased. Diameters ranged from 9.2 inches for trees pruned half of height yearly to 11.4 inches for unpruned trees; crown widths ranged from...

  16. Black Walnut on Kansas Strip Mine Spoils: Some Observations 25 Years after Pruning

    Treesearch

    Alex L. Shigo; Nelson F. Rogers; E. Allen, Jr. McGinnes; David T. Funk

    1978-01-01

    Dissections of 14 slow-growing black walnut trees on a strip-mine site revealed that bands of discolored heartwood were associated with pruned and nonpruned branch stubs. Ring shakes were associated with a few pruned and nonpruned stubs, especially with groups of stubs at the same position on the stem. The advantage of early pruning was that even the defects that...

  17. Profits from pruning ponderosa pine in relation to pruning diameter

    Treesearch

    Grant. Davis

    1958-01-01

    Pruning to obtain clear wood on the lower portion of forest trees has been practiced on a limited scale for many years. It became an important operation in the management of national forests after the enactment of the Knutson-Vandenberg Act in 1930. This act provided a means for retaining a portion of timber-sale receipts to finance pruning and other stand improvement...

  18. Postsynaptic FMRP Promotes the Pruning of Cell-to-Cell Connections among Pyramidal Neurons in the L5A Neocortical Network

    PubMed Central

    Patel, Ankur B.; Loerwald, Kristofer W.; Huber, Kimberly M.

    2014-01-01

    Pruning of structural synapses occurs with development and learning. A deficit in pruning of cortical excitatory synapses and the resulting hyperconnectivity is hypothesized to underlie the etiology of fragile X syndrome (FXS) and related autistic disorders. However, clear evidence for pruning in neocortex and its impairment in FXS remains elusive. Using simultaneous recordings of pyramidal neurons in the layer 5A neocortical network of the wild-type (WT) mouse to observe cell-to-cell connections in isolation, we demonstrate here a specific form of “connection pruning.” Connection frequency among pyramidal neurons decreases between the third and fifth postnatal weeks, indicating a period of connection pruning. Over the same interval in the FXS model mouse, the Fmr1 knock-out (KO), connection frequency does not decrease. Therefore, connection frequency in the fifth week is higher in the Fmr1 KO compared with WT, indicating a state of hyperconnectivity. These alterations are due to postsynaptic deletion of Fmr1. At early ages (2 weeks), postsynaptic Fmr1 promoted the maturation of cell-to-cell connections, but not their number. These findings indicate that impaired connection pruning at later ages, and not an excess of connection formation, underlies the hyperconnectivity in the Fmr1 KO mouse. FMRP did not appear to regulate synapses individually, but instead regulated cell-to-cell connectivity in which groups of synapses mediating a single cell-to-cell connection are uniformly removed, retained, and matured. Although we do not link connection pruning directly to the pruning of structurally defined synapses, this study nevertheless provides an important model system for studying altered pruning in FXS. PMID:24573297

  19. Postsynaptic FMRP promotes the pruning of cell-to-cell connections among pyramidal neurons in the L5A neocortical network.

    PubMed

    Patel, Ankur B; Loerwald, Kristofer W; Huber, Kimberly M; Gibson, Jay R

    2014-02-26

    Pruning of structural synapses occurs with development and learning. A deficit in pruning of cortical excitatory synapses and the resulting hyperconnectivity is hypothesized to underlie the etiology of fragile X syndrome (FXS) and related autistic disorders. However, clear evidence for pruning in neocortex and its impairment in FXS remains elusive. Using simultaneous recordings of pyramidal neurons in the layer 5A neocortical network of the wild-type (WT) mouse to observe cell-to-cell connections in isolation, we demonstrate here a specific form of "connection pruning." Connection frequency among pyramidal neurons decreases between the third and fifth postnatal weeks, indicating a period of connection pruning. Over the same interval in the FXS model mouse, the Fmr1 knock-out (KO), connection frequency does not decrease. Therefore, connection frequency in the fifth week is higher in the Fmr1 KO compared with WT, indicating a state of hyperconnectivity. These alterations are due to postsynaptic deletion of Fmr1. At early ages (2 weeks), postsynaptic Fmr1 promoted the maturation of cell-to-cell connections, but not their number. These findings indicate that impaired connection pruning at later ages, and not an excess of connection formation, underlies the hyperconnectivity in the Fmr1 KO mouse. FMRP did not appear to regulate synapses individually, but instead regulated cell-to-cell connectivity in which groups of synapses mediating a single cell-to-cell connection are uniformly removed, retained, and matured. Although we do not link connection pruning directly to the pruning of structurally defined synapses, this study nevertheless provides an important model system for studying altered pruning in FXS.

  20. Pruning of the Pulmonary Vasculature in Asthma: The SARP Cohort.

    PubMed

    Ash, Samuel Y; Rahaghi, Farbod N; Come, Carolyn E; Ross, James C; Colon, Alysha G; Cardet-Guisasola, Juan Carlos; Dunican, Eleanor M; Bleecker, Eugene R; Castro, Mario; Fahy, John V; Fain, Sean B; Gaston, Benjamin M; Hoffman, Eric A; Jarjour, Nizar N; Mauger, David T; Wenzel, Sally E; Levy, Bruce D; San Jose Estepar, Raul; Israel, Elliot; Washko, George R

    2018-04-19

    Loss of the peripheral pulmonary vasculature, termed vascular pruning, is associated with disease severity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To determine if pulmonary vascular pruning is associated with asthma severity and exacerbations. We measured the total pulmonary blood vessel volume (TBV) and the blood vessel volume of vessels less than 5mm2 in cross sectional area (BV5) and of vessels less than 10mm2 (BV10) in cross sectional area on non-contrast computed tomographic scans of participants from the Severe Asthma Research Program. Lower values of the BV5 to TBV ratio (BV5/TBV) and the BV10 to TBV ratio (BV10/TBV) represented vascular pruning (loss of the peripheral pulmonary vasculature). Compared to healthy controls, severe asthmatics had more pulmonary vascular pruning. Among asthmatics, those with poor asthma control had more pruning than those well-controlled disease. Pruning of the pulmonary vasculature was also associated with lower percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity, greater peripheral and sputum eosinophilia and higher bronchoalveolar lavage SAA/LXA4, but not with low attenuation area or with sputum neutrophilia. Compared with individuals with less pruning, individuals with the most vascular pruning had a 150% greater odds of reporting an asthma exacerbation (OR 2.50; CI: 1.05, 5.98; p=0.039 for BV10/TBV), and reported 45% more asthma exacerbations during follow-up (IRR 1.45; CI: 1.02, 2.06; p=0.036 for BV10/TBV). Pruning of the peripheral pulmonary vasculature is associated with asthma severity, control and exacerbations, as well as with lung function and eosinophilia.

  1. YUCCA9-Mediated Auxin Biosynthesis and Polar Auxin Transport Synergistically Regulate Regeneration of Root Systems Following Root Cutting

    PubMed Central

    Xu, Dongyang; Miao, Jiahang; Yumoto, Emi; Yokota, Takao; Asahina, Masashi; Watahiki, Masaaki

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Recovery of the root system following physical damage is an essential issue for plant survival. An injured root system is able to regenerate by increases in lateral root (LR) number and acceleration of root growth. The horticultural technique of root pruning (root cutting) is an application of this response and is a common garden technique for controlling plant growth. Although root pruning is widely used, the molecular mechanisms underlying the subsequent changes in the root system are poorly understood. In this study, root pruning was employed as a model system to study the molecular mechanisms of root system regeneration. Notably, LR defects in wild-type plants treated with inhibitors of polar auxin transport (PAT) or in the auxin signaling mutant auxin/indole-3-acetic acid19/massugu2 were recovered by root pruning. Induction of IAA19 following root pruning indicates an enhancement of auxin signaling by root pruning. Endogenous levels of IAA increased after root pruning, and YUCCA9 was identified as the primary gene responsible. PAT-related genes were induced after root pruning, and the YUCCA inhibitor yucasin suppressed root regeneration in PAT-related mutants. Therefore, we demonstrate the crucial role of YUCCA9, along with other redundant YUCCA family genes, in the enhancement of auxin biosynthesis following root pruning. This further enhances auxin transport and activates downstream auxin signaling genes, and thus increases LR number. PMID:29016906

  2. A Cullin1-Based SCF E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Targets the InR/PI3K/TOR Pathway to Regulate Neuronal Pruning

    PubMed Central

    Wong, Jack Jing Lin; Wang, Cheng; Zhang, Heng; Kirilly, Daniel; Wu, Chunlai; Liou, Yih-Cherng; Wang, Hongyan; Yu, Fengwei

    2013-01-01

    Pruning that selectively eliminates unnecessary axons/dendrites is crucial for sculpting the nervous system during development. During Drosophila metamorphosis, dendrite arborization neurons, ddaCs, selectively prune their larval dendrites in response to the steroid hormone ecdysone, whereas mushroom body γ neurons specifically eliminate their axon branches within dorsal and medial lobes. However, it is unknown which E3 ligase directs these two modes of pruning. Here, we identified a conserved SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays a critical role in pruning of both ddaC dendrites and mushroom body γ axons. The SCF E3 ligase consists of four core components Cullin1/Roc1a/SkpA/Slimb and promotes ddaC dendrite pruning downstream of EcR-B1 and Sox14, but independently of Mical. Moreover, we demonstrate that the Cullin1-based E3 ligase facilitates ddaC dendrite pruning primarily through inactivation of the InR/PI3K/TOR pathway. We show that the F-box protein Slimb forms a complex with Akt, an activator of the InR/PI3K/TOR pathway, and promotes Akt ubiquitination. Activation of the InR/PI3K/TOR pathway is sufficient to inhibit ddaC dendrite pruning. Thus, our findings provide a novel link between the E3 ligase and the InR/PI3K/TOR pathway during dendrite pruning. PMID:24068890

  3. Pruning Black Cherry in Understocked Stands

    Treesearch

    Ted J. Grisez

    1978-01-01

    Black cherry trees 4 to 6 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh) with live crown ratios ranging from 73 to 92 percent were pruned to 25, 50, or 75 percent of tree height or were left unpruned. Most trees can be pruned to 50 percent of tree height in one operation. Trees that have large crowns and that are frilly exposed on the southwest side should be pruned less...

  4. Influence of Pre- and Postharvest Summer Pruning on the Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality, and Carbohydrate Content of Early Season Peach Cultivars

    PubMed Central

    Ikinci, Ali

    2014-01-01

    Winter and summer pruning are widely applied processes in all fruit trees, including in peach orchard management. This study was conducted to determine the effects of summer prunings (SP), as compared to winter pruning (WP), on shoot length, shoot diameter, trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) increment, fruit yield, fruit quality, and carbohydrate content of two early ripening peach cultivars (“Early Red” and “Maycrest”) of six years of age, grown in semiarid climate conditions, in 2008 to 2010. The trees were grafted on GF 677 rootstocks, trained with a central leader system, and spaced 5 × 5 m apart. The SP carried out after harvesting in July and August decreased the shoot length significantly; however, it increased its diameter. Compared to 2009, this effect was more marked in year 2010. In general, control and winter pruned trees of both cultivars had the highest TCSA increment and yield efficiency. The SP increased the average fruit weight and soluble solids contents (SSC) more than both control and WP. The titratable acidity showed no consistent response to pruning time. The carbohydrate accumulation in shoot was higher in WP and in control than in SP trees. SP significantly affected carbohydrate accumulation; postharvest pruning showed higher carbohydrate content than preharvest pruning. PMID:24737954

  5. Prediction of high-dimensional states subject to respiratory motion: a manifold learning approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Wenyang; Sawant, Amit; Ruan, Dan

    2016-07-01

    The development of high-dimensional imaging systems in image-guided radiotherapy provides important pathways to the ultimate goal of real-time full volumetric motion monitoring. Effective motion management during radiation treatment usually requires prediction to account for system latency and extra signal/image processing time. It is challenging to predict high-dimensional respiratory motion due to the complexity of the motion pattern combined with the curse of dimensionality. Linear dimension reduction methods such as PCA have been used to construct a linear subspace from the high-dimensional data, followed by efficient predictions on the lower-dimensional subspace. In this study, we extend such rationale to a more general manifold and propose a framework for high-dimensional motion prediction with manifold learning, which allows one to learn more descriptive features compared to linear methods with comparable dimensions. Specifically, a kernel PCA is used to construct a proper low-dimensional feature manifold, where accurate and efficient prediction can be performed. A fixed-point iterative pre-image estimation method is used to recover the predicted value in the original state space. We evaluated and compared the proposed method with a PCA-based approach on level-set surfaces reconstructed from point clouds captured by a 3D photogrammetry system. The prediction accuracy was evaluated in terms of root-mean-squared-error. Our proposed method achieved consistent higher prediction accuracy (sub-millimeter) for both 200 ms and 600 ms lookahead lengths compared to the PCA-based approach, and the performance gain was statistically significant.

  6. Spinal motor neuron involvement in a patient with homozygous PRUNE mutation.

    PubMed

    Iacomino, Michele; Fiorillo, Chiara; Torella, Annalaura; Severino, Mariasavina; Broda, Paolo; Romano, Catia; Falsaperla, Raffaele; Pozzolini, Giulia; Minetti, Carlo; Striano, Pasquale; Nigro, Vincenzo; Zara, Federico

    2018-05-01

    In the last few years, whole exome sequencing (WES) allowed the identification of PRUNE mutations in patients featuring a complex neurological phenotype characterized by severe neurodevelopmental delay, microcephaly, epilepsy, optic atrophy, and brain or cerebellar atrophy. We describe an additional patient with homozygous PRUNE mutation who presented with spinal muscular atrophy phenotype, in addition to the already known brain developmental disorder. This novel feature expands the clinical consequences of PRUNE mutations and allow to converge PRUNE syndrome with previous descriptions of neurodevelopmental/neurodegenerative disorders linked to altered microtubule dynamics. Copyright © 2017 European Paediatric Neurology Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Mechanisms of developmental neurite pruning.

    PubMed

    Schuldiner, Oren; Yaron, Avraham

    2015-01-01

    The precise wiring of the nervous system is a combined outcome of progressive and regressive events during development. Axon guidance and synapse formation intertwined with cell death and neurite pruning sculpt the mature circuitry. It is now well recognized that pruning of dendrites and axons as means to refine neuronal networks, is a wide spread phenomena required for the normal development of vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. Here we will review the arising principles of cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurite pruning. We will discuss these principles in light of studies in multiple neuronal systems, and speculate on potential explanations for the emergence of neurite pruning as a mechanism to sculpt the nervous system.

  8. Evaluation of soil carbon pools after the addition of prunings in subtropical orchards placed in terraces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Márquez San Emeterio, Layla; Martín Reyes, Marino Pedro; Ortiz Bernad, Irene; Fernández Ondoño, Emilia; Sierra Aragón, Manuel

    2017-04-01

    The amount of carbon that can be stored in a soil depends on many factors, such as the type of soil, the chemical composition of plant rests and the climate, and is also highly affected by land use and soil management. Agricultural ecosystems are proved to absorb a large amount of CO2 from the atmosphere through several sustainable management practices. In addition, organic materials such as leaves, grass, prunings, etc., comprise a significant type of agricultural practices as a result of waste recycling. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of the addition of different organic prunings on the potential for carbon sequestration in agricultural soils placed in terraces. Three subtropical orchards were sampled in Almuñécar (Granada, S Spain): mango (Mangifera indica L.), avocado (Persea americana Mill.) and cherimoya (Annonacherimola Mill.). The predominant climate is Subtropical Mediterranean and the soil is an Eutric Anthrosol. The experimental design consisted in the application of prunings from avocado, cherimoya and mango trees, placed on the surface soil underneath their correspondent trees, as well as garden prunings from the green areas surrounding the town center on the surface soils under the three orchard trees. Control experiences without the addition of prunings were also evaluated. These experiences were followed for three years. Soil samples were taken at4 cm depth. They were dried for 3-4 days and then sieved (<2 mm).Total soil organic C, water-soluble soil organic C, mineral-associated organic C and non-oxidable C were analyzed and expressed as carbon pools (Mg C ha-1for total soil organic C, or Kg C ha-1for the others). The results showed an increase of all organic carbon pools in all pruning treatments compared to the control experiences. Differences in total organic carbon pool were statistically significant between soils under avocado prunings and their control soil, and between soils under garden prunings with cherimoya and their control soil. Regarding the water-soluble soil organic carbon, low differences were shown. Differences in mineral-associated and non-oxidable organic carbon fractions were also statistically significant between soils under avocado prunings and their control soil, and between soils under garden prunings with cherimoya and their control soil. No significant differences in any organic carbon pool were founded for the soils under mango. The climate in this area enhances mineralization processes of organic matter. Thus, both in mango soils under mango and garden prunings the organic carbon does not significantly increase compared to the control soil. In avocado soils under avocado prunings humification of organic matter predominates, probably due to differences in the biochemical structure of the prunings. Finally, organic carbon contents in soils under garden prunings compared to their respective control soils only increase in cherimoya orchard. Our findings suggest that the addition of prunings and other organic debris may be a very useful practice for increasing the content of organic matter within the surface soil layer. Acknowledgements Authors thank the financial support of this work to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project CGL-2013-46665-R) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

  9. 7 CFR 993.7 - French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false French prunes. 993.7 Section 993.7 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements... characteristics similar to those of the prunes named in this section. ...

  10. Mechanisms of developmental neurite pruning

    PubMed Central

    Schuldiner, Oren; Yaron, Avraham

    2016-01-01

    The precise wiring of the nervous system is a combined outcome of progressive and regressive events during development. Axon guidance and synapse formation intertwined with cell death and neurite pruning sculpt the mature circuitry. It is now well recognized that pruning of dendrites and axons as means to refine neuronal networks, is a wide spread phenomena required for the normal development of vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. Here we will review the arising principles of cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurite pruning. We will discuss these principles in light of studies in multiple neuronal systems, and speculate on potential explanations for the emergence of neurite pruning as a mechanism to sculpt the nervous system. PMID:25213356

  11. Effect of small changes in sawpattern on lumber value in pruned Douglas fir logs: Steps toward greater value from pruned logs.

    Treesearch

    Christine Todoroki; Eini Lowell

    2006-01-01

    The silvicultural practice of pruning juvenile stems is a value-adding operation due to the formation of knot-free wood after the pruned branch stubs have healed. However it is not until after the log has been processed that the added value is realized. The motivation for this paper stems from wanting to extract as much of that added value as possible while minimizing...

  12. Yif1 associates with Yip1 on Golgi and regulates dendrite pruning in sensory neurons during Drosophila metamorphosis.

    PubMed

    Wang, Qiwei; Wang, Yan; Yu, Fengwei

    2018-05-16

    Pruning that selectively removes unnecessary neurites without causing neuronal death is essential for sculpting the mature nervous system during development. In Drosophila , ddaC sensory neurons specifically prune their larval dendrites with intact axons during metamorphosis. However, it remains unknown about an important role of ER-to-Golgi transport in dendrite pruning. Here, in a clonal screen we identified Yif1, an uncharacterized Drosophila homologue of Yif1p that is known as a regulator of ER-to-Golgi transport in yeast. We show that Yif1 is required for dendrite pruning of ddaC neurons but not for apoptosis of ddaF neurons. We further identified the Yif1-binding partner Yip1 which is also crucial for dendrite pruning. Yif1 forms a protein complex with Yip1 in S2 cells and ddaC neurons. Yip1 and Yif1 colocalize on ER/Golgi and are required for the integrity of Golgi apparatus and outposts. Moreover, we show that two GTPases Rab1 and Sar1, known to regulate ER-to-Golgi transport, are essential for dendrite pruning of ddaC neurons. Finally, our data reveal that ER-to-Golgi transport promotes endocytosis and downregulation of cell adhesion molecule Neuroglian and thereby dendrite pruning. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  13. Mitochondrial ROS cause motor deficits induced by synaptic inactivity: Implications for synapse pruning.

    PubMed

    Sidlauskaite, Eva; Gibson, Jack W; Megson, Ian L; Whitfield, Philip D; Tovmasyan, Artak; Batinic-Haberle, Ines; Murphy, Michael P; Moult, Peter R; Cobley, James N

    2018-06-01

    Developmental synapse pruning refines burgeoning connectomes. The basic mechanisms of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production suggest they select inactive synapses for pruning: whether they do so is unknown. To begin to unravel whether mitochondrial ROS regulate pruning, we made the local consequences of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) pruning detectable as motor deficits by using disparate exogenous and endogenous models to induce synaptic inactivity en masse in developing Xenopus laevis tadpoles. We resolved whether: (1) synaptic inactivity increases mitochondrial ROS; and (2) chemically heterogeneous antioxidants rescue synaptic inactivity induced motor deficits. Regardless of whether it was achieved with muscle (α-bungarotoxin), nerve (α-latrotoxin) targeted neurotoxins or an endogenous pruning cue (SPARC), synaptic inactivity increased mitochondrial ROS in vivo. The manganese porphyrins MnTE-2-PyP 5+ and/or MnTnBuOE-2-PyP 5+ blocked mitochondrial ROS to significantly reduce neurotoxin and endogenous pruning cue induced motor deficits. Selectively inducing mitochondrial ROS-using mitochondria-targeted Paraquat (MitoPQ)-recapitulated synaptic inactivity induced motor deficits; which were significantly reduced by blocking mitochondrial ROS with MnTnBuOE-2-PyP 5+ . We unveil mitochondrial ROS as synaptic activity sentinels that regulate the phenotypical consequences of forced synaptic inactivity at the NMJ. Our novel results are relevant to pruning because synaptic inactivity is one of its defining features. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Time pruning to avoid disease - black walnuts

    Treesearch

    Jerry. Van Sambeek

    2017-01-01

    The prime season to prune black walnut trees may be winding down with the unseasonably warm temperatures. Routinely pruning during the dormant season in Missouri can extend well into March and possibly longer. This dormant period may not be routine this year.

  15. 7 CFR 993.12 - Substandard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Substandard prunes. 993.12 Section 993.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  16. 7 CFR 993.9 - Processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Processed prunes. 993.9 Section 993.9 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  17. 7 CFR 993.7 - French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false French prunes. 993.7 Section 993.7 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  18. 7 CFR 993.12 - Substandard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Substandard prunes. 993.12 Section 993.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  19. 7 CFR 993.9 - Processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Processed prunes. 993.9 Section 993.9 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  20. 7 CFR 993.10 - Standard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Standard prunes. 993.10 Section 993.10 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  1. 7 CFR 993.9 - Processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Processed prunes. 993.9 Section 993.9 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  2. 7 CFR 993.12 - Substandard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Substandard prunes. 993.12 Section 993.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  3. 7 CFR 993.12 - Substandard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Substandard prunes. 993.12 Section 993.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  4. 7 CFR 993.12 - Substandard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Substandard prunes. 993.12 Section 993.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  5. 7 CFR 993.9 - Processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Processed prunes. 993.9 Section 993.9 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  6. 7 CFR 993.10 - Standard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Standard prunes. 993.10 Section 993.10 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  7. 7 CFR 993.10 - Standard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Standard prunes. 993.10 Section 993.10 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  8. 7 CFR 993.10 - Standard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Standard prunes. 993.10 Section 993.10 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  9. 7 CFR 993.7 - French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false French prunes. 993.7 Section 993.7 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  10. 7 CFR 993.10 - Standard prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Standard prunes. 993.10 Section 993.10 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  11. 7 CFR 993.7 - French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false French prunes. 993.7 Section 993.7 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  12. 7 CFR 993.9 - Processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Processed prunes. 993.9 Section 993.9 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  13. 7 CFR 993.7 - French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false French prunes. 993.7 Section 993.7 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  14. 7 CFR 993.23 - Part and subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... handling of dried prunes produced in California, and all rules, regulations, and supplementary orders issued thereunder. This order regulating the handling of dried prunes produced in California shall be a...

  15. 7 CFR 993.23 - Part and subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... handling of dried prunes produced in California, and all rules, regulations, and supplementary orders issued thereunder. This order regulating the handling of dried prunes produced in California shall be a...

  16. 7 CFR 993.6 - Non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Non-French prunes. 993.6 Section 993.6 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  17. 7 CFR 993.8 - Natural condition prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Natural condition prunes. 993.8 Section 993.8 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  18. 7 CFR 993.11 - Standard processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Standard processed prunes. 993.11 Section 993.11 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  19. 7 CFR 993.11 - Standard processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Standard processed prunes. 993.11 Section 993.11 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  20. 7 CFR 993.6 - Non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Non-French prunes. 993.6 Section 993.6 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  1. 7 CFR 993.11 - Standard processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Standard processed prunes. 993.11 Section 993.11 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  2. 7 CFR 993.8 - Natural condition prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Natural condition prunes. 993.8 Section 993.8 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  3. 7 CFR 993.8 - Natural condition prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Natural condition prunes. 993.8 Section 993.8 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  4. 7 CFR 993.23 - Part and subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... handling of dried prunes produced in California, and all rules, regulations, and supplementary orders issued thereunder. This order regulating the handling of dried prunes produced in California shall be a...

  5. 7 CFR 993.23 - Part and subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... handling of dried prunes produced in California, and all rules, regulations, and supplementary orders issued thereunder. This order regulating the handling of dried prunes produced in California shall be a...

  6. 7 CFR 993.11 - Standard processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Standard processed prunes. 993.11 Section 993.11 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  7. 7 CFR 993.11 - Standard processed prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Standard processed prunes. 993.11 Section 993.11 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  8. 7 CFR 993.6 - Non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Non-French prunes. 993.6 Section 993.6 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  9. 7 CFR 993.23 - Part and subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... handling of dried prunes produced in California, and all rules, regulations, and supplementary orders issued thereunder. This order regulating the handling of dried prunes produced in California shall be a...

  10. Bioavailability of Compounds Susceptible to Enzymatic Oxidation Enhances Growth of Shiitake Medicinal Mushroom (Lentinus edodes) in Solid-State Fermentation with Vineyard Prunings.

    PubMed

    Cabrera, Rosina; López-Peña, Damian; Asaff, Ali; Esqueda, Martín; Valenzuela-Soto, Elisa M

    2018-01-01

    Grapes are widely produced in northwestern Mexico, generating many wood trimmings (vineyard prunings) that have no further local use. This makes vineyard prunings a very attractive alternative for the cultivation of white-rot medicinal mushrooms such as Lentinus edodes. This type of wood can also offer a model for the evaluation of oxidative enzyme production during the fermentation process. We tested the effect of wood from vineyard prunings on the vegetative growth of and production of ligninolytic enzymes in L. edodes in solid-state fermentation and with wheat straw as the control substrate. The specific growth rate of the fungus was 2-fold higher on vineyard pruning culture (μM = 0.95 day-1) than on wheat straw culture (μM = 0.47 day-1). Laccase-specific production was 4 times higher in the vineyard prunings culture than on wheat straw (0.34 and 0.08 mU · mg protein-1 · ppm CO2-1, respectively), and manganese peroxidase production was 3.7 times higher on wheat straw culture than on vineyard prunings (2.21 and 0.60 mU · mg protein-1 · ppm CO2-1, respectively). To explain accurately these differences in growth and ligninolytic enzyme activity, methanol extracts were obtained from each substrate and characterized. Resveratrol and catechins were the main compounds identified in vineyard prunings, whereas epigallocatechin was the only one detected in wheat straw. Compounds susceptible to enzymatic oxidation are more bioavailable in vineyard prunings than in wheat straw, and thus the highest L. edodes growth rate is associated with the presence of these compounds.

  11. 7 CFR 457.133 - Prune crop insurance provisions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Prune crop insurance provisions. 457.133 Section 457.133 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COMMON CROP INSURANCE REGULATIONS § 457.133 Prune crop insurance...

  12. PRUNE—SIM users guide.

    Treesearch

    R.D. Fight; J.M. Cahill; T.A. Snellgrove; T.D. Fahey

    1987-01-01

    PRUNE-SIM is a spreadsheet template (program) that allows users to simulate a financial analysis of pruning coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii). The program estimates the increase in product value resulting from pruning the butt 17-foot log. Product recovery information is based on actual...

  13. 7 CFR 993.19b - Undersized prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Undersized prunes. 993.19b Section 993.19b Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  14. 7 CFR 993.19b - Undersized prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Undersized prunes. 993.19b Section 993.19b Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  15. 7 CFR 993.65 - Disposition of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Disposition of reserve prunes. 993.65 Section 993.65 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  16. 7 CFR 993.165 - Disposition of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Disposition of reserve prunes. 993.165 Section 993.165 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  17. 7 CFR 993.165 - Disposition of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Disposition of reserve prunes. 993.165 Section 993.165 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  18. 7 CFR 993.65 - Disposition of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Disposition of reserve prunes. 993.65 Section 993.65 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  19. 7 CFR 993.65 - Disposition of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Disposition of reserve prunes. 993.65 Section 993.65 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  20. 7 CFR 993.21d - Reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Reserve prunes. 993.21d Section 993.21d Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  1. 7 CFR 993.19b - Undersized prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Undersized prunes. 993.19b Section 993.19b Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  2. 7 CFR 993.21c - Salable prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Salable prunes. 993.21c Section 993.21c Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  3. 7 CFR 993.501 - Consumer package of prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Consumer package of prunes. 993.501 Section 993.501 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  4. 7 CFR 993.21c - Salable prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Salable prunes. 993.21c Section 993.21c Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  5. 7 CFR 993.21d - Reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Reserve prunes. 993.21d Section 993.21d Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  6. 7 CFR 993.21d - Reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Reserve prunes. 993.21d Section 993.21d Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  7. 7 CFR 993.165 - Disposition of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Disposition of reserve prunes. 993.165 Section 993.165 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  8. 7 CFR 993.65 - Disposition of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Disposition of reserve prunes. 993.65 Section 993.65 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  9. 7 CFR 993.19b - Undersized prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Undersized prunes. 993.19b Section 993.19b Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  10. 7 CFR 993.65 - Disposition of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Disposition of reserve prunes. 993.65 Section 993.65 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN...

  11. 7 CFR 993.21d - Reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Reserve prunes. 993.21d Section 993.21d Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  12. 7 CFR 993.21c - Salable prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Salable prunes. 993.21c Section 993.21c Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  13. 7 CFR 993.19b - Undersized prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Undersized prunes. 993.19b Section 993.19b Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  14. 7 CFR 993.21c - Salable prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Salable prunes. 993.21c Section 993.21c Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA...

  15. 7 CFR 81.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    .../DRIED PLUM DIVERSION PROGRAM § 81.3 Definitions. (a) Administrator means the Administrator of AMS. (b... means “Application for Prune Tree Removal Program.” (d) Committee means the Prune Marketing Committee... of prune-plum trees after approval of applications by the Committee through June 30, 2002. (f...

  16. 7 CFR 81.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    .../DRIED PLUM DIVERSION PROGRAM § 81.3 Definitions. (a) Administrator means the Administrator of AMS. (b... means “Application for Prune Tree Removal Program.” (d) Committee means the Prune Marketing Committee... of prune-plum trees after approval of applications by the Committee through June 30, 2002. (f...

  17. 7 CFR 81.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    .../DRIED PLUM DIVERSION PROGRAM § 81.3 Definitions. (a) Administrator means the Administrator of AMS. (b... means “Application for Prune Tree Removal Program.” (d) Committee means the Prune Marketing Committee... of prune-plum trees after approval of applications by the Committee through June 30, 2002. (f...

  18. 7 CFR 81.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    .../DRIED PLUM DIVERSION PROGRAM § 81.3 Definitions. (a) Administrator means the Administrator of AMS. (b... means “Application for Prune Tree Removal Program.” (d) Committee means the Prune Marketing Committee... of prune-plum trees after approval of applications by the Committee through June 30, 2002. (f...

  19. Pruning Neural Networks with Distribution Estimation Algorithms

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cantu-Paz, E

    2003-01-15

    This paper describes the application of four evolutionary algorithms to the pruning of neural networks used in classification problems. Besides of a simple genetic algorithm (GA), the paper considers three distribution estimation algorithms (DEAs): a compact GA, an extended compact GA, and the Bayesian Optimization Algorithm. The objective is to determine if the DEAs present advantages over the simple GA in terms of accuracy or speed in this problem. The experiments used a feed forward neural network trained with standard back propagation and public-domain and artificial data sets. The pruned networks seemed to have better or equal accuracy than themore » original fully-connected networks. Only in a few cases, pruning resulted in less accurate networks. We found few differences in the accuracy of the networks pruned by the four EAs, but found important differences in the execution time. The results suggest that a simple GA with a small population might be the best algorithm for pruning networks on the data sets we tested.« less

  20. How young trees cope with removal of whole or parts of shoots: an analysis of local and distant responses to pruning in 1-year-old apple (Malus xdomestica; Rosaceae) trees.

    PubMed

    Fumey, Damien; Lauri, Pierre-Éric; Guédon, Yann; Godin, Christophe; Costes, Evelyne

    2011-11-01

    Manipulation of tree architecture by pruning provides an experimental context to analyze architectural plasticity resulting from competition between developing organs. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of the removal of all or part of shoots through pruning on the redistribution of growth and flowering at spatial and temporal levels. Two types of pruning cuts were applied: (1) heading cuts of either the main stem or laterals and (2) thinning cuts (i.e., complete removal) of laterals. These two types of cuts were applied in summer and winter on 1-yr-old cultivars of Fuji and Braeburn apple trees. Tree topology and geometry were described over 3 years, and responses were analyzed for both local and distant scales. Heading cuts induced quasi-deterministic local responses on pruned axes, whereas responses to thinning cuts were more variable. For the main stem and laterals, responses over greater spatial and temporal scales were highlighted with (1) stronger growth the year after summer pruning and (2) modification of branching and flowering along the unpruned parts after winter pruning. Pruning typically induced growth redistribution toward traumatic reiterations and enhanced growth of the remaining unpruned axes with a concomitant decrease of flowering and cambial growth. Although results could be interpreted in relation to the root-shoot balance, tree responses appeared highly cultivar-specific.

  1. 7 CFR 993.50 - Outgoing regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... marketing of prunes as will be in the public interest, whether prices are above or below parity, no handler... Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements... any lot of French prunes for human consumption as prunes, or any lot of mixed dried fruit containing...

  2. DFPRUNE users guide.

    Treesearch

    R.D. Fight; J.M. Cahill; T.D. Fahey

    1992-01-01

    The DFPRUNE spreadsheet program is designed to estimate the expected financial return from pruning coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii. It is a significant revision of the PRUNE-SIM program. The PRUNE-SIM program was based on the average product recovery for unpruned logs from a single stand...

  3. Identifying economic hurdles to early adoption of trunk disease preventative practices in California winegrape vineyards

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Trunk diseases poses a serious threat to winegrape growers. Despite high prevalence and substantial consequences, growers routinely wait to adopt field-tested, preventative practices (delayed pruning, double pruning, or application of pruning wound protectant) until symptomatic vines appear (~10 yea...

  4. Bridging the gaps between scientific literature and grower perceptions of trunk disease management

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Trunk diseases significantly limit the productivity of California vineyards. Field trials have shown three practices to minimize infection of pruning wounds: delayed pruning, double pruning, and the fungicide thiophanate-methyl (Topsin M). For optimal efficacy, such preventative practices must be a...

  5. Pruning Allegheny hardwoods

    Treesearch

    W. D. Zeedyk; A. F. Hough

    1958-01-01

    The continuing heavy demand for high-quality Allegheny hardwoods, particularly black cherry and sugar maple, impresses on us the need for more information responses of hardwoods to pruning. Pruning may have beneficial effects: it may increase quality without sacrificing growth. Or it may have detrimental effects: it may cause dieback of cambium, decay, staining and...

  6. The Over-Pruning Hypothesis of Autism

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Thomas, Michael S. C.; Davis, Rachael; Karmiloff-Smith, Annette; Knowland, Victoria C. P.; Charman, Tony

    2016-01-01

    This article outlines the "over-pruning hypothesis" of autism. The hypothesis originates in a neurocomputational model of the regressive sub-type (Thomas, Knowland & Karmiloff-Smith, 2011a, 2011b). Here we develop a more general version of the over-pruning hypothesis to address heterogeneity in the timing of manifestation of ASD,…

  7. Effect of pruning on growth of western white pine

    Treesearch

    Austin E. Helmers

    1946-01-01

    Pruning for production of clear lumber is being recognized more and more as a desirable silvicultural measure. The author's study on western white pine confirms earlier findings on other species that not more than one-third of the line crown should be removed in any pruning operation.

  8. 7 CFR 993.21c - Salable prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Salable prunes. 993.21c Section 993.21c Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements... § 993.54, or, if no reserve percentage is in effect for a crop year, all prunes, excluding the quantity...

  9. Effect of pruning on growth of ponderosa pine.

    Treesearch

    Edwin L. Mowat

    1947-01-01

    A study of the influence of pruning various proportions of the crowns of young ponderosa pine trees upon growth, vigor, and mortality was started on the Pringle Falls Experimental Forest in 1941. After 5 years of tree growth, the study throws some light on how severely young pines should be pruned.

  10. 7 CFR 993.162 - Voluntary prune plum diversion.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED... dried weight equivalent of prune plums so diverted on a dryaway basis as follows: (1) For prune plums of..., which would not, under normal producer practices, be dried and delivered to a handler. On or before July...

  11. 7 CFR 993.162 - Voluntary prune plum diversion.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED... dried weight equivalent of prune plums so diverted on a dryaway basis as follows: (1) For prune plums of..., which would not, under normal producer practices, be dried and delivered to a handler. On or before July...

  12. 7 CFR 993.162 - Voluntary prune plum diversion.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED... dried weight equivalent of prune plums so diverted on a dryaway basis as follows: (1) For prune plums of..., which would not, under normal producer practices, be dried and delivered to a handler. On or before July...

  13. 7 CFR 993.162 - Voluntary prune plum diversion.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED... dried weight equivalent of prune plums so diverted on a dryaway basis as follows: (1) For prune plums of..., which would not, under normal producer practices, be dried and delivered to a handler. On or before July...

  14. 7 CFR 993.501 - Consumer package of prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Consumer package of prunes. 993.501 Section 993.501 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing... of prunes means consumer package as defined in § 993.22. Effective Date Note: At 70 FR 30613, May 27...

  15. A review of pruning fruit trees

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, L.; Koc, A. B.; Wang, X. N.; Jiang, Y. X.

    2018-05-01

    The focus of this review is to present the results of studies and articles about ways to prune fruit trees. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring so that the infection risk can be significantly decreased. This review will also offer an overview of methods to prevent infections and speed up recovery on the trees. The following is an interpretation of why high-power ultrasonic assisted pruning in the fruits trees is needed and will elaborate on the efficiency, labor costs, and safety, as well as space, location, and some environmental issues.

  16. Sec71 functions as a GEF for the small GTPase Arf1 to govern dendrite pruning of Drosophila sensory neurons.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yan; Zhang, Heng; Shi, Meng; Liou, Yih-Cherng; Lu, Lei; Yu, Fengwei

    2017-05-15

    Pruning, whereby neurons eliminate their excess neurites, is central for the maturation of the nervous system. In Drosophila , sensory neurons, ddaCs, selectively prune their larval dendrites without affecting their axons during metamorphosis. However, it is unknown whether the secretory pathway plays a role in dendrite pruning. Here, we show that the small GTPase Arf1, an important regulator of the secretory pathway, is specifically required for dendrite pruning of ddaC/D/E sensory neurons but dispensable for apoptosis of ddaF neurons. Analyses of the GTP- and GDP-locked forms of Arf1 indicate that the cycling of Arf1 between GDP-bound and GTP-bound forms is essential for dendrite pruning. We further identified Sec71 as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Arf1 that preferentially interacts with its GDP-bound form. Like Arf1, Sec71 is also important for dendrite pruning, but not for apoptosis, of sensory neurons. Arf1 and Sec71 are interdependent for their localizations on Golgi. Finally, we show that the Sec71/Arf1-mediated trafficking process is a prerequisite for Rab5-dependent endocytosis to facilitate endocytosis and degradation of the cell-adhesion molecule Neuroglian (Nrg). © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  17. Spatial distribution of block falls using volumetric GIS-decision-tree models

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abdallah, C.

    2010-10-01

    Block falls are considered a significant aspect of surficial instability contributing to losses in land and socio-economic aspects through their damaging effects to natural and human environments. This paper predicts and maps the geographic distribution and volumes of block falls in central Lebanon using remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and decision-tree modeling (un-pruned and pruned trees). Eleven terrain parameters (lithology, proximity to fault line, karst type, soil type, distance to drainage line, elevation, slope gradient, slope aspect, slope curvature, land cover/use, and proximity to roads) were generated to statistically explain the occurrence of block falls. The latter were discriminated using SPOT4 satellite imageries, and their dimensions were determined during field surveys. The un-pruned tree model based on all considered parameters explained 86% of the variability in field block fall measurements. Once pruned, it classifies 50% in block falls' volumes by selecting just four parameters (lithology, slope gradient, soil type, and land cover/use). Both tree models (un-pruned and pruned) were converted to quantitative 1:50,000 block falls' maps with different classes; starting from Nil (no block falls) to more than 4000 m 3. These maps are fairly matching with coincidence value equal to 45%; however, both can be used to prioritize the choice of specific zones for further measurement and modeling, as well as for land-use management. The proposed tree models are relatively simple, and may also be applied to other areas (i.e. the choice of un-pruned or pruned model is related to the availability of terrain parameters in a given area).

  18. The effects of planting methods and head pruning on seed yield and yield components of medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo subsp. Pepo convar. Pepo var. styriaca) at low temperature areas.

    PubMed

    Bahrami, R Nikkhah; Khodadadi, M; Pirivatlo, S Piry; Hassanpanah, D

    2009-03-15

    This experiment carried out to evaluate the effects of planting methods (seed sowing and transplanting) and head pruning (no pruning, pruning after 12th node and pruning after 16th node) on yield and yield components such as number of branches (sub-branches) per plant, fruits per plant, growth, fruit size, weight of fresh fruit, weight of seeds per fruit, number of seeds per fruit and seed yield of medicinal pumpkin. The experiment was carried out based of factorial experiment with Randomized Completely Blocks Design (RCBD) by three replications in Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Researches Station at 2007. Seedlings were grown in heated greenhouse. When the climatic condition became suitable and seedlings were at the four leaves stage, both seeds and seedlings were planted at the same time in the farm. Maintenance operations were done during the growth season. Head pruning treatments were done the forecast time. The results showed that the planting methods had significant effect on the number of ripen fruits per plant, fruits diameter, weight of seeds per fruit, weight of 1000 seeds and seed yield and had no significant effect on the other traits. Also the results indicated that head pruning treatments had significant effects on the number of branches per plant, growth and seed yield and no significant on the other traits. In this experiment the most seed yield (997.8 kg ha(-1)) obtained from transplanting method with head pruning after 12th node and the least seed yield obtained from control.

  19. 7 CFR 944.400 - Designated inspection services and procedure for obtaining inspection and certification of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes regulated under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing..., oranges, prune variety plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes regulated under section 8e of the...), and table grapes that are imported into the United States. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also...

  20. 7 CFR 944.400 - Designated inspection services and procedure for obtaining inspection and certification of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes regulated under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing..., oranges, prune variety plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes regulated under section 8e of the...), and table grapes that are imported into the United States. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also...

  1. 7 CFR 52.3182 - Varietal types of dried prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS 1 United States Standards for Grades of Dried Prunes Product Description, Varietal Types, Sizes, Grades § 52.3182 Varietal types of dried prunes. (a) Type I. French; or Robe; or a mixture of French and Robe. (b) Type II. Italian. (c) Type III. Imperial; or Sugar; or a mixture of Imperial...

  2. Response of smaller European elm bark beetles to pruning wounds on American elm

    Treesearch

    Jack H. Barger; William N. Cannon

    1987-01-01

    From 1982 to 1984, inflight smaller European elm bark beetles, Scolytus multistriatus, were captured on American elms, Ulmus americana, that were therapeutically pruned for Dutch elm disease control. Pruning wounds were treated with wound dressing or left untreated to determine effects of the treatments on beetle attraction....

  3. Pruning Cottonwood

    Treesearch

    R. L. Johnson

    1959-01-01

    Planting cottonwood trees can be a profitable investment, but to get the most for their money land-owners should consider the possibilities of pruning. At present, there are wide differentials in the stumpage value of cottonwood stands, primarily because of variation in log quality. By restricting knots to the inner core, artificial pruning of small open-grown trees...

  4. 7 CFR 993.159 - Payments for services performed with respect to reserve tonnage prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... overhead costs, which include those for supervision, indirect labor, fuel, power and water, taxes and... tonnage prunes. The Committee will compute the average industry cost for holding reserve pool prunes by... choose to exclude the high and low data in computing an industry average. The industry average costs may...

  5. 7 CFR 993.159 - Payments for services performed with respect to reserve tonnage prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... overhead costs, which include those for supervision, indirect labor, fuel, power and water, taxes and... tonnage prunes. The Committee will compute the average industry cost for holding reserve pool prunes by... choose to exclude the high and low data in computing an industry average. The industry average costs may...

  6. 7 CFR 993.159 - Payments for services performed with respect to reserve tonnage prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... overhead costs, which include those for supervision, indirect labor, fuel, power and water, taxes and... tonnage prunes. The Committee will compute the average industry cost for holding reserve pool prunes by... choose to exclude the high and low data in computing an industry average. The industry average costs may...

  7. Minimal Pruning and Reduced Plant Protection Promote Predatory Mites in Grapevine

    PubMed Central

    Pennington, Theresa; Kraus, Christian; Alakina, Ekatarina; Entling, Martin H.; Hoffmann, Christoph

    2017-01-01

    Improving natural pest control by promoting high densities of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is an effective way to prevent damage by pest mites (e.g., Eriophyidae, Tetranychidae) and other arthropod taxa that can cause serious damage to vineyards. Here, we investigate the influence of innovative management on predatory mite densities. We compare (i) full versus reduced fungicide applications and (ii) minimal pruning versus a traditional trellis pruning system in four fungus-resistant grapevine varieties. As predatory mites also feed on fungus mycelium, we assessed fungal infection of grapevine leaves in the experimental vineyard. Predatory mites were significantly more abundant in both minimal pruning and under reduced plant protection. Increases in predatory mites appeared to be independent of fungal infection, suggesting mostly direct effects of reduced fungicides and minimal pruning. In contrast to predatory mites, pest mites did not increase under innovative management. Thus, conditions for natural pest control are improved in fungus-resistant grapevines and under minimal pruning, which adds to other advantages such as environmental safety and reduced production cost. PMID:28820436

  8. Tree growth and management in Ugandan agroforestry systems: effects of root pruning on tree growth and crop yield.

    PubMed

    Wajja-Musukwe, Tellie-Nelson; Wilson, Julia; Sprent, Janet I; Ong, Chin K; Deans, J Douglas; Okorio, John

    2008-02-01

    Tree root pruning is a potential tool for managing belowground competition when trees and crops are grown together in agroforestry systems. We investigated the effects of tree root pruning on shoot growth and root distribution of Alnus acuminata (H.B. & K.), Casuarina equisetifolia L., Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. ex R. Br., Maesopsis eminii Engl. and Markhamia lutea (Benth.) K. Schum. and on yield of adjacent crops in sub-humid Uganda. The trees were 3 years old at the commencement of the study, and most species were competing strongly with crops. Tree roots were pruned 41 months after planting by cutting and back-filling a trench to a depth of 0.3 m, at a distance of 0.3 m from the trees, on one side of the tree row. The trench was reopened and roots recut at 50 and 62 months after planting. We assessed the effects on tree growth and root distribution over a 3 year period, and crop yield after the third root pruning at 62 months. Overall, root pruning had only a slight effect on aboveground tree growth: height growth was unaffected and diameter growth was reduced by only 4%. A substantial amount of root regrowth was observed by 11 months after pruning. Tree species varied in the number and distribution of roots, and C. equisetifolia and M. lutea had considerably more roots per unit of trunk volume than the other species, especially in the surface soil layers. Casuarina equisetifolia and M. eminii were the tree species most competitive with crops and G. robusta and M. lutea the least competitive. Crop yield data provided strong evidence of the redistribution of root activity following root pruning, with competition increasing on the unpruned side of tree rows. Thus, one-sided root pruning will be useful in only a few circumstances.

  9. Unified commutation-pruning technique for efficient computation of composite DFTs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Castro-Palazuelos, David E.; Medina-Melendrez, Modesto Gpe.; Torres-Roman, Deni L.; Shkvarko, Yuriy V.

    2015-12-01

    An efficient computation of a composite length discrete Fourier transform (DFT), as well as a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of both time and space data sequences in uncertain (non-sparse or sparse) computational scenarios, requires specific processing algorithms. Traditional algorithms typically employ some pruning methods without any commutations, which prevents them from attaining the potential computational efficiency. In this paper, we propose an alternative unified approach with automatic commutations between three computational modalities aimed at efficient computations of the pruned DFTs adapted for variable composite lengths of the non-sparse input-output data. The first modality is an implementation of the direct computation of a composite length DFT, the second one employs the second-order recursive filtering method, and the third one performs the new pruned decomposed transform. The pruned decomposed transform algorithm performs the decimation in time or space (DIT) data acquisition domain and, then, decimation in frequency (DIF). The unified combination of these three algorithms is addressed as the DFTCOMM technique. Based on the treatment of the combinational-type hypotheses testing optimization problem of preferable allocations between all feasible commuting-pruning modalities, we have found the global optimal solution to the pruning problem that always requires a fewer or, at most, the same number of arithmetic operations than other feasible modalities. The DFTCOMM method outperforms the existing competing pruning techniques in the sense of attainable savings in the number of required arithmetic operations. It requires fewer or at most the same number of arithmetic operations for its execution than any other of the competing pruning methods reported in the literature. Finally, we provide the comparison of the DFTCOMM with the recently developed sparse fast Fourier transform (SFFT) algorithmic family. We feature that, in the sensing scenarios with sparse/non-sparse data Fourier spectrum, the DFTCOMM technique manifests robustness against such model uncertainties in the sense of insensitivity for sparsity/non-sparsity restrictions and the variability of the operating parameters.

  10. Exploring spatial-temporal dynamics of fire regime features in mainland Spain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiménez-Ruano, Adrián; Rodrigues Mimbrero, Marcos; de la Riva Fernández, Juan

    2017-10-01

    This paper explores spatial-temporal dynamics in fire regime features, such as fire frequency, burnt area, large fires and natural- and human-caused fires, as an essential part of fire regime characterization. Changes in fire features are analysed at different spatial - regional and provincial/NUTS3 - levels, together with summer and winter temporal scales, using historical fire data from Spain for the period 1974-2013. Temporal shifts in fire features are investigated by means of change point detection procedures - Pettitt test, AMOC (at most one change), PELT (pruned exact linear time) and BinSeg (binary segmentation) - at a regional level to identify changes in the time series of the features. A trend analysis was conducted using the Mann-Kendall and Sen's slope tests at both the regional and NUTS3 level. Finally, we applied a principal component analysis (PCA) and varimax rotation to trend outputs - mainly Sen's slope values - to summarize overall temporal behaviour and to explore potential links in the evolution of fire features. Our results suggest that most fire features show remarkable shifts between the late 1980s and the first half of the 1990s. Mann-Kendall outputs revealed negative trends in the Mediterranean region. Results from Sen's slope suggest high spatial and intra-annual variability across the study area. Fire activity related to human sources seems to be experiencing an overall decrease in the northwestern provinces, particularly pronounced during summer. Similarly, the Hinterland and the Mediterranean coast are gradually becoming less fire affected. Finally, PCA enabled trends to be synthesized into four main components: winter fire frequency (PC1), summer burnt area (PC2), large fires (PC3) and natural fires (PC4).

  11. 75 FR 51956 - Dried Prunes Produced in California; Increased Assessment Rate

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-24

    ... Service 7 CFR Part 993 [Doc. No. AMS-FV-10-0057; FV10-993-1 PR] Dried Prunes Produced in California... amended (7 CFR part 993), regulating the handling of dried prunes grown in California, hereinafter... the 165,488 tons produced last year. At the proposed assessment rate the assessment income for the...

  12. Pruning central hardwoods

    Treesearch

    Richard C. Schlesinger; Alex L. Shigo

    1989-01-01

    Pruning, properly done, is one of the best ways to assure high quality wood. Although the overall volume of hardwood has been increasing during the last several years, the volume of high quality hardwood continues to be in short supply. So high quality logs will continue to be worth more at market time. Potentially, pruning can be an important silvicultural treatment...

  13. 7 CFR 51.1525 - Tolerances.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... the producing area or at port of loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or, in the case of... defects of plums or prunes other than Italian type prunes en route or at destination. 12 percent for fruit... Italian type prunes en route or at destination. Not more than a total of 18 percent of the fruit in any...

  14. 7 CFR 51.1525 - Tolerances.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... the producing area or at port of loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or, in the case of... defects of plums or prunes other than Italian type prunes en route or at destination. 12 percent for fruit... Italian type prunes en route or at destination. Not more than a total of 18 percent of the fruit in any...

  15. Pruning to manage white pine blister rust in the southern Rocky Mountains

    Treesearch

    Amanda Crump; William R. Jacobi; Kelly S. Burns; Brian E. Howell

    2011-01-01

    White pine blister rust is an exotic, invasive disease that severely damages and kills white pines in the southern Rocky Mountains. We evaluated the efficacy of preventive pruning (removing lower branches) and/or sanitation pruning (removing cankered branches) to reduce disease impacts in limber (Pinus flexilis James) and Rocky Mountain bristlecone (P. aristata Englm...

  16. The effect of stem pruning and nitrogen levels of on some physico-chemical characteristics of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo L.).

    PubMed

    Gholipouri, Abdolghayoum; Nazarnejad, H

    2007-10-15

    To investigate the effects of stem pruning (No heading, head pruning of stem after formation of 10 and 14 nodes) and nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg ha(-1)) on physical and chemical characteristic of pumpkin seed a Factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replication was carried out in Gorgan at 2003 and repeated in 2004 years. Results showed that the stem pruning has significant effect on traits such as seed oil, linoleic acid and oleic acid content. Nitrogen levels also have significant effect on seed dimension, seed oil, linoleic acid and oleic acid content. The largest amount of oil and linoleic acid content was obtained by stem pruning after forming 14 node and 100 kg ha(-1) nitrogen in separately, but the interaction of treatments were not significant difference for all of traits.

  17. Pruning apparatus and method

    DOEpatents

    Dellinger, R.D.

    1997-12-09

    The present invention is an automated pruning apparatus that requires little or no follow-up hand pruning and requires no sensors to avoid supportive trunks or posts. The present invention uses at least one pair of flat, close angled toothed, counter rotating blades. Woody branches are directed to the counter rotating blades first with a lifting arm and secondly by a quilled drum. 16 figs.

  18. Field performance of Quercus bicolor established as repeatedly air-root-pruned container and bareroot planting stock

    Treesearch

    J.W." Jerry" Van Sambeek; Larry D. Godsey; William D. Walter; Harold E. Garrett; John P. Dwyer

    2016-01-01

    Benefits of repeated air-root-pruning of seedlings when stepping up to progressively larger containers include excellent lateral root distribution immediately below the root collar and an exceptionally fibrous root ball. To evaluate long-term field performance of repeatedly air-root-pruned container stock, three plantings of swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor...

  19. Olive Crown Porosity Measurement Based on Radiation Transmittance: An Assessment of Pruning Effect.

    PubMed

    Castillo-Ruiz, Francisco J; Castro-Garcia, Sergio; Blanco-Roldan, Gregorio L; Sola-Guirado, Rafael R; Gil-Ribes, Jesus A

    2016-05-19

    Crown porosity influences radiation interception, air movement through the fruit orchard, spray penetration, and harvesting operation in fruit crops. The aim of the present study was to develop an accurate and reliable methodology based on transmitted radiation measurements to assess the porosity of traditional olive trees under different pruning treatments. Transmitted radiation was employed as an indirect method to measure crown porosity in two olive orchards of the Picual and Hojiblanca cultivars. Additionally, three different pruning treatments were considered to determine if the pruning system influences crown porosity. This study evaluated the accuracy and repeatability of four algorithms in measuring crown porosity under different solar zenith angles. From a 14° to 30° solar zenith angle, the selected algorithm produced an absolute error of less than 5% and a repeatability higher than 0.9. The described method and selected algorithm proved satisfactory in field results, making it possible to measure crown porosity at different solar zenith angles. However, pruning fresh weight did not show any relationship with crown porosity due to the great differences between removed branches. A robust and accurate algorithm was selected for crown porosity measurements in traditional olive trees, making it possible to discern between different pruning treatments.

  20. A novel fusion method of improved adaptive LTP and two-directional two-dimensional PCA for face feature extraction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luo, Yuan; Wang, Bo-yu; Zhang, Yi; Zhao, Li-ming

    2018-03-01

    In this paper, under different illuminations and random noises, focusing on the local texture feature's defects of a face image that cannot be completely described because the threshold of local ternary pattern (LTP) cannot be calculated adaptively, a local three-value model of improved adaptive local ternary pattern (IALTP) is proposed. Firstly, the difference function between the center pixel and the neighborhood pixel weight is established to obtain the statistical characteristics of the central pixel and the neighborhood pixel. Secondly, the adaptively gradient descent iterative function is established to calculate the difference coefficient which is defined to be the threshold of the IALTP operator. Finally, the mean and standard deviation of the pixel weight of the local region are used as the coding mode of IALTP. In order to reflect the overall properties of the face and reduce the dimension of features, the two-directional two-dimensional PCA ((2D)2PCA) is adopted. The IALTP is used to extract local texture features of eyes and mouth area. After combining the global features and local features, the fusion features (IALTP+) are obtained. The experimental results on the Extended Yale B and AR standard face databases indicate that under different illuminations and random noises, the algorithm proposed in this paper is more robust than others, and the feature's dimension is smaller. The shortest running time reaches 0.329 6 s, and the highest recognition rate reaches 97.39%.

  1. The effects of pruning treatments and initial seedling morphology on northern red oak seedling growth

    Treesearch

    Donald J. Kaczmarek; Phillip E. Pope

    1993-01-01

    Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings exhibit relatively high survival rates following planting, but their growth rates are often slow and extensive stem dieback can occur. This study was designed to investigate the growth responses of northern red oak seedlings planted with or without root-pruning or shoot-pruning. One-year-old (1-0) northern red oak nursery...

  2. Alteration of soil water content consequent to root-pruning at a windbreak/crop interface in Nebraska, USA

    Treesearch

    Qingjiang Hou; James Brandle; Kenneth Hubbard; Michele Schoeneberger; Carlos Nieto; Charles Francis

    2003-01-01

    Root-pruning is generally recommended as an appropriate treatment to reduce competition for soil water and/or nutrients and suppression of crop yield in areas adjacent to windbreaks. Several recent studies suggest, however, that factors other than soil water might be causing yield reduction at the interface. For two consecutive years, we evaluated root-pruning effects...

  3. Weevil - red rot associations in eastern white pine

    Treesearch

    Myron D. Ostrander; Clifford H. Foster

    1957-01-01

    The presence of red rot (Fomes pini) in pruned white pine stands has often been attributed to the act of pruning. This assumption may well be true for heavily stocked stands where thinning has been neglected and pruning scars are slow to heal. The question then arises: How do we account for the red rot often found in vigorous unpruned white pine stands? Evidence...

  4. An Extension of CART's Pruning Algorithm. Program Statistics Research Technical Report No. 91-11.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kim, Sung-Ho

    Among the computer-based methods used for the construction of trees such as AID, THAID, CART, and FACT, the only one that uses an algorithm that first grows a tree and then prunes the tree is CART. The pruning component of CART is analogous in spirit to the backward elimination approach in regression analysis. This idea provides a tool in…

  5. Prune belly syndrome and heart defect in one of monozygotic twins, following exposure to Tigan and Bendectin.

    PubMed

    Greene, C; Wilson, A; Shapira, E

    1985-01-01

    One of twins was born with prune belly syndrome and congenital heart defect following exposure to Bendectin and Tigan. Red cell antigens and HLA typing were compatible with monozygosity. The possible associations of the prune belly syndrome to monozygotic twinning or to teratogenic agents is considered in light of this patient and review of the literature.

  6. Effects of leader topping and branch pruning on efficiency of Douglas-fir cone harvesting with a tree shaker.

    Treesearch

    D.L. Copes

    1985-01-01

    In 1983, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of leader topping and branch pruning on the efficiency to tree shaking to remove Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) cones. Removal efficiency for three topping and pruning treatments averaged 69 percent, whereas for the uncut control treatment it was 62 percent. The treatment...

  7. Longleaf Pine Root System Development and Seedling Quality in Response to Copper Root Pruning and Cavity Size

    Treesearch

    Mary Anne Sword Sayer; Shi-Jean Susana Sung; James D. Haywood

    2011-01-01

    Cultural practices that modify root system structure in the plug of container-grown seedlings have the potential to improve root system function after planting. Our objective was to assess how copper root pruning affects the quality and root system development of longleaf pine seedlings grown in three cavity sizes in a greenhouse. Copper root pruning increased seedling...

  8. Loss of mTOR-dependent macroautophagy causes autistic-like synaptic pruning deficits.

    PubMed

    Tang, Guomei; Gudsnuk, Kathryn; Kuo, Sheng-Han; Cotrina, Marisa L; Rosoklija, Gorazd; Sosunov, Alexander; Sonders, Mark S; Kanter, Ellen; Castagna, Candace; Yamamoto, Ai; Yue, Zhenyu; Arancio, Ottavio; Peterson, Bradley S; Champagne, Frances; Dwork, Andrew J; Goldman, James; Sulzer, David

    2014-09-03

    Developmental alterations of excitatory synapses are implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Here, we report increased dendritic spine density with reduced developmental spine pruning in layer V pyramidal neurons in postmortem ASD temporal lobe. These spine deficits correlate with hyperactivated mTOR and impaired autophagy. In Tsc2 ± ASD mice where mTOR is constitutively overactive, we observed postnatal spine pruning defects, blockade of autophagy, and ASD-like social behaviors. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin corrected ASD-like behaviors and spine pruning defects in Tsc2 ± mice, but not in Atg7(CKO) neuronal autophagy-deficient mice or Tsc2 ± :Atg7(CKO) double mutants. Neuronal autophagy furthermore enabled spine elimination with no effects on spine formation. Our findings suggest that mTOR-regulated autophagy is required for developmental spine pruning, and activation of neuronal autophagy corrects synaptic pathology and social behavior deficits in ASD models with hyperactivated mTOR. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Growth of a pole-size ponderosa on cutover land in relation to selection of trees for pruning.

    Treesearch

    Lloyd G. Gillmore; Forrest W. Jones

    1954-01-01

    The expected growth of pole-size ponderosa pine on cutover land should be considered in selecting those trees which will grow fast enough in the future to warrant investment in pruning. This consideration is especially important because most pruning work is done within 2 or 3 years after cutting and before the release effect of cutting is evident on reserved trees....

  10. Using a pruned, nondirect product basis in conjunction with the multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) method

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wodraszka, Robert, E-mail: Robert.Wodraszka@chem.queensu.ca; Carrington, Tucker, E-mail: Tucker.Carrington@queensu.ca

    In this paper, we propose a pruned, nondirect product multi-configuration time dependent Hartree (MCTDH) method for solving the Schrödinger equation. MCTDH uses optimized 1D basis functions, called single particle functions, but the size of the standard direct product MCTDH basis scales exponentially with D, the number of coordinates. We compare the pruned approach to standard MCTDH calculations for basis sizes small enough that the latter are possible and demonstrate that pruning the basis reduces the CPU cost of computing vibrational energy levels of acetonitrile (D = 12) by more than two orders of magnitude. Using the pruned method, it ismore » possible to do calculations with larger bases, for which the cost of standard MCTDH calculations is prohibitive. Pruning the basis complicates the evaluation of matrix-vector products. In this paper, they are done term by term for a sum-of-products Hamiltonian. When no attempt is made to exploit the fact that matrices representing some of the factors of a term are identity matrices, one needs only to carefully constrain indices. In this paper, we develop new ideas that make it possible to further reduce the CPU time by exploiting identity matrices.« less

  11. Axon Termination, Pruning, and Synaptogenesis in the Giant Fiber System of Drosophila melanogaster Is Promoted by Highwire.

    PubMed

    Borgen, Melissa; Rowland, Kimberly; Boerner, Jana; Lloyd, Brandon; Khan, Aruna; Murphey, Rodney

    2017-03-01

    The ubiquitin ligase Highwire has a conserved role in synapse formation. Here, we show that Highwire coordinates several facets of central synapse formation in the Drosophila melanogaster giant fiber system, including axon termination, axon pruning, and synaptic function. Despite the similarities to the fly neuromuscular junction, the role of Highwire and the underlying signaling pathways are distinct in the fly's giant fiber system. During development, branching of the giant fiber presynaptic terminal occurs and, normally, the transient branches are pruned away. However, in highwire mutants these ectopic branches persist, indicating that Highwire promotes axon pruning. highwire mutants also exhibit defects in synaptic function. Highwire promotes axon pruning and synaptic function cell-autonomously by attenuating a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway including Wallenda, c-Jun N-terminal kinase/Basket, and the transcription factor Jun. We also show a novel role for Highwire in non-cell autonomous promotion of synaptic function from the midline glia. Highwire also regulates axon termination in the giant fibers, as highwire mutant axons exhibit severe overgrowth beyond the pruning defect. This excessive axon growth is increased by manipulating Fos expression in the cells surrounding the giant fiber terminal, suggesting that Fos regulates a trans -synaptic signal that promotes giant fiber axon growth. Copyright © 2017 by the Genetics Society of America.

  12. 7 CFR 993.56 - Reserve obligation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... dehydrators plus that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates...

  13. 7 CFR 993.56 - Reserve obligation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... dehydrators plus that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates...

  14. 7 CFR 993.56 - Reserve obligation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... dehydrators plus that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates...

  15. 7 CFR 993.56 - Reserve obligation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... dehydrators plus that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates...

  16. 7 CFR 993.56 - Reserve obligation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... dehydrators plus that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates...

  17. Effects of long-term pruning, meristem origin, and branch order on the rooting of Douglas-fir stem cuttings.

    Treesearch

    D.L. Copes

    1992-01-01

    The rooting percentages of 14 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) clones were examined annually from 1974 to 1988. The trees were 10 and 13 years old in 1974 and were pruned to 2.0 m in 1978 and 1979 and then recut annually to 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 m, starting in 1983. The pruned trees showed no evidence of decreased rooting percentage...

  18. Metastatic group 3 medulloblastoma is driven by PRUNE1 targeting NME1-TGF-β-OTX2-SNAIL via PTEN inhibition.

    PubMed

    Ferrucci, Veronica; de Antonellis, Pasqualino; Pennino, Francesco Paolo; Asadzadeh, Fatemeh; Virgilio, Antonella; Montanaro, Donatella; Galeone, Aldo; Boffa, Iolanda; Pisano, Ida; Scognamiglio, Iolanda; Navas, Luigi; Diana, Donatella; Pedone, Emilia; Gargiulo, Sara; Gramanzini, Matteo; Brunetti, Arturo; Danielson, Laura; Carotenuto, Marianeve; Liguori, Lucia; Verrico, Antonio; Quaglietta, Lucia; Errico, Maria Elena; Del Monaco, Valentina; D'Argenio, Valeria; Tirone, Felice; Mastronuzzi, Angela; Donofrio, Vittoria; Giangaspero, Felice; Picard, Daniel; Remke, Marc; Garzia, Livia; Daniels, Craig; Delattre, Olivier; Swartling, Fredrik J; Weiss, William A; Salvatore, Francesco; Fattorusso, Roberto; Chesler, Louis; Taylor, Michael D; Cinalli, Giuseppe; Zollo, Massimo

    2018-05-01

    Genetic modifications during development of paediatric groups 3 and 4 medulloblastoma are responsible for their highly metastatic properties and poor patient survival rates. PRUNE1 is highly expressed in metastatic medulloblastoma group 3, which is characterized by TGF-β signalling activation, c-MYC amplification, and OTX2 expression. We describe the process of activation of the PRUNE1 signalling pathway that includes its binding to NME1, TGF-β activation, OTX2 upregulation, SNAIL (SNAI1) upregulation, and PTEN inhibition. The newly identified small molecule pyrimido-pyrimidine derivative AA7.1 enhances PRUNE1 degradation, inhibits this activation network, and augments PTEN expression. Both AA7.1 and a competitive permeable peptide that impairs PRUNE1/NME1 complex formation, impair tumour growth and metastatic dissemination in orthotopic xenograft models with a metastatic medulloblastoma group 3 cell line (D425-Med cells). Using whole exome sequencing technology in metastatic medulloblastoma primary tumour cells, we also define 23 common 'non-synonymous homozygous' deleterious gene variants as part of the protein molecular network of relevance for metastatic processes. This PRUNE1/TGF-β/OTX2/PTEN axis, together with the medulloblastoma-driver mutations, is of relevance for future rational and targeted therapies for metastatic medulloblastoma group 3.10.1093/brain/awy039_video1awy039media15742053534001.

  19. Effect of edge pruning on structural controllability and observability of complex networks

    PubMed Central

    Mengiste, Simachew Abebe; Aertsen, Ad; Kumar, Arvind

    2015-01-01

    Controllability and observability of complex systems are vital concepts in many fields of science. The network structure of the system plays a crucial role in determining its controllability and observability. Because most naturally occurring complex systems show dynamic changes in their network connectivity, it is important to understand how perturbations in the connectivity affect the controllability of the system. To this end, we studied the control structure of different types of artificial, social and biological neuronal networks (BNN) as their connections were progressively pruned using four different pruning strategies. We show that the BNNs are more similar to scale-free networks than to small-world networks, when comparing the robustness of their control structure to structural perturbations. We introduce a new graph descriptor, ‘the cardinality curve’, to quantify the robustness of the control structure of a network to progressive edge pruning. Knowing the susceptibility of control structures to different pruning methods could help design strategies to destroy the control structures of dangerous networks such as epidemic networks. On the other hand, it could help make useful networks more resistant to edge attacks. PMID:26674854

  20. 7 CFR 993.109 - Modified definition of non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Administrative Rules and Regulations Definitions § 993.109 Modified...

  1. 7 CFR 993.109 - Modified definition of non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Administrative Rules and Regulations Definitions § 993.109 Modified...

  2. 7 CFR 993.157 - Holding and delivery of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Administrative Rules and Regulations Reserve Control § 993.157...

  3. 7 CFR 993.109 - Modified definition of non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Administrative Rules and Regulations Definitions § 993.109 Modified...

  4. 7 CFR 993.109 - Modified definition of non-French prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Administrative Rules and Regulations Definitions § 993.109 Modified...

  5. 7 CFR 993.157 - Holding and delivery of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Administrative Rules and Regulations Reserve Control § 993.157...

  6. 7 CFR 993.157 - Holding and delivery of reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Administrative Rules and Regulations Reserve Control § 993.157...

  7. 75 FR 65937 - Fresh Prunes Grown in Designated Counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, OR; Suspension of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-27

    ...The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that suspended the reporting and assessment requirements prescribed under the Washington-Oregon fresh prune marketing order. The marketing order regulates the handling of fresh prunes grown in designated counties in Washington and in Umatilla County, Oregon, and is administered locally by the Washington-Oregon Fresh Prune Marketing Committee (Committee). On June 1, 2010, the Committee unanimously voted to terminate Marketing Order No. 924. Since the only regulatory actions then in effect were the reporting and assessment requirements, the Committee included a recommendation to immediately suspend those activities while USDA processes the termination request. The reporting and assessment requirements will remain suspended until reinstated or permanently terminated.

  8. Composability-Centered Convolutional Neural Network Pruning

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shen, Xipeng; Guan, Hui; Lim, Seung-Hwan

    This work studies the composability of the building blocks ofstructural CNN models (e.g., GoogleLeNet and Residual Networks) in thecontext of network pruning. We empirically validate that a networkcomposed of pre-trained building blocks (e.g. residual blocks andInception modules) not only gives a better initial setting fortraining, but also allows the training process to converge at asignificantly higher accuracy in much less time. Based on thatinsight, we propose a {\\em composability-centered} design for CNNnetwork pruning. Experiments show that this new scheme shortens theconfiguration process in CNN network pruning by up to 186.8X forResNet-50 and up to 30.2X for Inception-V3, and meanwhile, themore » modelsit finds that meet the accuracy requirement are significantly morecompact than those found by default schemes.« less

  9. Identification of spatially-localized initial conditions via sparse PCA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dwivedi, Anubhav; Jovanovic, Mihailo

    2017-11-01

    Principal Component Analysis involves maximization of a quadratic form subject to a quadratic constraint on the initial flow perturbations and it is routinely used to identify the most energetic flow structures. For general flow configurations, principal components can be efficiently computed via power iteration of the forward and adjoint governing equations. However, the resulting flow structures typically have a large spatial support leading to a question of physical realizability. To obtain spatially-localized structures, we modify the quadratic constraint on the initial condition to include a convex combination with an additional regularization term which promotes sparsity in the physical domain. We formulate this constrained optimization problem as a nonlinear eigenvalue problem and employ an inverse power-iteration-based method to solve it. The resulting solution is guaranteed to converge to a nonlinear eigenvector which becomes increasingly localized as our emphasis on sparsity increases. We use several fluids examples to demonstrate that our method indeed identifies the most energetic initial perturbations that are spatially compact. This work was supported by Office of Naval Research through Grant Number N00014-15-1-2522.

  10. 7 CFR 993.101 - Order.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... amended, and Order No. 993, as amended (§§ 993.1 through 993.97), regulating the handling of dried prunes...

  11. 7 CFR 993.101 - Order.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... amended, and Order No. 993, as amended (§§ 993.1 through 993.97), regulating the handling of dried prunes...

  12. 7 CFR 993.101 - Order.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... amended, and Order No. 993, as amended (§§ 993.1 through 993.97), regulating the handling of dried prunes...

  13. 7 CFR 993.101 - Order.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA... amended, and Order No. 993, as amended (§§ 993.1 through 993.97), regulating the handling of dried prunes...

  14. A new bipyrrole and some phenolic constituents in prunes (Prunus domestica L.) and their oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC).

    PubMed

    Kayano, Shin-ichi; Kikuzaki, Hiroe; Ikami, Takao; Suzuki, Tomoo; Mitani, Takahiko; Nakatani, Nobuji

    2004-04-01

    Isolation and structural elucidation of prune constituents were performed and total 10 compounds were determined by NMR and MS analyses. A novel compound was identified to be 2-(5-hydroxymethyl-2',5'-dioxo-2',3',4',5'-tetrahydro-1'H-1,3'-bipyrrole)carbaldehyde, and 7 phenolic compounds were isolated from prunes for the first time. In addition, antioxidant activity of them was evaluated on the basis of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC).

  15. Applications of the low-background gamma spectroscopy to the geographical origin of marine salts and prunes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Perrot, F.

    The low background gamma spectroscopy has been applied to try to sign the geographical origin of the French atlantic marine salts and of the prunes from Agen. Most of the activity measurements have been done using low background Ge spectrometers located in Bordeaux. Results have shown that a clear signature exists in the case of the French atlantic salts using the 40K, 137Cs and 226Ra isotopes but not in the case of the prunes.

  16. Phenology, Canopy Aging and Seasonal Carbon Balance as Related to Delayed Winter Pruning of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sangiovese Grapevines

    PubMed Central

    Gatti, Matteo; Pirez, Facundo J.; Chiari, Giorgio; Tombesi, Sergio; Palliotti, Alberto; Merli, Maria C.; Poni, Stefano

    2016-01-01

    Manipulating or shifting annual grapevine growing cycle to offset limitations imposed by global warming is a must today, and delayed winter pruning is a tool to achieve it. However, no information is available about its physiological background, especially in relation to modifications in canopy phenology, demography and seasonal carbon budget. Mechanistic hypothesis underlying this work was that very late winter pruning (LWP) can achieve significant postponement of phenological stages so that ripening might occur in a cooler period and, concurrently, ripening potential can be improved due to higher efficiency and prolonged longevity of the canopy. Variability in the dynamics of the annual cycle was created in mature potted cv. Sangiovese grapevines subjected to either standard winter pruning (SWP) or late and very late winter pruning (LWP, VLWP) performed when apical shoots on the unpruned canes were at the stage of 2 and 7 unfolded leaves. Vegetative growth, phenology and canopy net CO2 exchange (NCER) were followed throughout the season. Despite LWP and VLWP induced a bud-burst delay of 17 and 31 days vs. SWP, the delay was fully offset at harvest for LWP and was reduced to 6 days in VLWP. LWP showed notably higher canopy efficiency as shorter time needed to reach maximum NCER/leaf area (22 days vs. 34 in SWP), highest maximum NCER/leaf area (+37% as compared to SWP) and higher NCER/leaf area rates from veraison to end of season. As a result, seasonal cumulated carbon in LWP was 17% higher than SWP. A negative functional relationship was also established between amount of leaf area removed at winter pruning and yield per vine and berry number per cluster. Although retarded winter pruning was not able to postpone late-season phenological stages under the warm conditions of this study, it showed a remarkable potential to limit yield while improving grape quality, thereby fostering the hypothesis that it could be used to replace time-consuming and costly cluster thinning. This preliminary study indicates that proper winter pruning date should be timed so as not to exceed the stage of two unfolded leaves. PMID:27242860

  17. Accurate airway centerline extraction based on topological thinning using graph-theoretic analysis.

    PubMed

    Bian, Zijian; Tan, Wenjun; Yang, Jinzhu; Liu, Jiren; Zhao, Dazhe

    2014-01-01

    The quantitative analysis of the airway tree is of critical importance in the CT-based diagnosis and treatment of popular pulmonary diseases. The extraction of airway centerline is a precursor to identify airway hierarchical structure, measure geometrical parameters, and guide visualized detection. Traditional methods suffer from extra branches and circles due to incomplete segmentation results, which induce false analysis in applications. This paper proposed an automatic and robust centerline extraction method for airway tree. First, the centerline is located based on the topological thinning method; border voxels are deleted symmetrically to preserve topological and geometrical properties iteratively. Second, the structural information is generated using graph-theoretic analysis. Then inaccurate circles are removed with a distance weighting strategy, and extra branches are pruned according to clinical anatomic knowledge. The centerline region without false appendices is eventually determined after the described phases. Experimental results show that the proposed method identifies more than 96% branches and keep consistency across different cases and achieves superior circle-free structure and centrality.

  18. Assessing the utility of phase-space-localized basis functions: Exploiting direct product structure and a new basis function selection procedure

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Brown, James, E-mail: 9jhb3@queensu.ca; Carrington, Tucker, E-mail: Tucker.Carrington@queensu.ca

    In this paper we show that it is possible to use an iterative eigensolver in conjunction with Halverson and Poirier’s symmetrized Gaussian (SG) basis [T. Halverson and B. Poirier, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 224101 (2012)] to compute accurate vibrational energy levels of molecules with as many as five atoms. This is done, without storing and manipulating large matrices, by solving a regular eigenvalue problem that makes it possible to exploit direct-product structure. These ideas are combined with a new procedure for selecting which basis functions to use. The SG basis we work with is orders of magnitude smaller than themore » basis made by using a classical energy criterion. We find significant convergence errors in previous calculations with SG bases. For sum-of-product Hamiltonians, SG bases large enough to compute accurate levels are orders of magnitude larger than even simple pruned bases composed of products of harmonic oscillator functions.« less

  19. 7 CFR 52.3187 - Definitions and explanations of defects.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... prune. (e) Fermentation. “Fermentation” means that the prune is fermented as evidenced by a distinct sour taste or odor or by darkening in color characteristic of fermentation or souring. (f) Scars...

  20. 7 CFR 993.400 - Modifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... larger size openings. For French prunes, any undersized regulation may prescribe an opening of 23/32 of an inch or 24/32 of an inch; for non-French prunes, any undersized regulation may prescribe an...

  1. 7 CFR 993.400 - Modifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... larger size openings. For French prunes, any undersized regulation may prescribe an opening of 23/32 of an inch or 24/32 of an inch; for non-French prunes, any undersized regulation may prescribe an...

  2. 7 CFR 993.400 - Modifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... larger size openings. For French prunes, any undersized regulation may prescribe an opening of 23/32 of an inch or 24/32 of an inch; for non-French prunes, any undersized regulation may prescribe an...

  3. 7 CFR 993.400 - Modifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... larger size openings. For French prunes, any undersized regulation may prescribe an opening of 23/32 of an inch or 24/32 of an inch; for non-French prunes, any undersized regulation may prescribe an...

  4. Recombination algorithms and jet substructure: Pruning as a tool for heavy particle searches

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ellis, Stephen D.; Vermilion, Christopher K.; Walsh, Jonathan R.

    2010-05-01

    We discuss jet substructure in recombination algorithms for QCD jets and single jets from heavy particle decays. We demonstrate that the jet algorithm can introduce significant systematic effects into the substructure. By characterizing these systematic effects and the substructure from QCD, splash-in, and heavy particle decays, we identify a technique, pruning, to better identify heavy particle decays into single jets and distinguish them from QCD jets. Pruning removes protojets typical of soft, wide-angle radiation, improves the mass resolution of jets reconstructing heavy particle decays, and decreases the QCD background to these decays. We show that pruning provides significant improvements overmore » unpruned jets in identifying top quarks and W bosons and separating them from a QCD background, and may be useful in a search for heavy particles.« less

  5. Sensitivity of directed networks to the addition and pruning of edges and vertices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goltsev, A. V.; Timár, G.; Mendes, J. F. F.

    2017-08-01

    Directed networks have various topologically different extensive components, in contrast to a single giant component in undirected networks. We study the sensitivity (response) of the sizes of these extensive components in directed complex networks to the addition and pruning of edges and vertices. We introduce the susceptibility, which quantifies this sensitivity. We show that topologically different parts of a directed network have different sensitivity to the addition and pruning of edges and vertices and, therefore, they are characterized by different susceptibilities. These susceptibilities diverge at the critical point of the directed percolation transition, signaling the appearance (or disappearance) of the giant strongly connected component in the infinite size limit. We demonstrate this behavior in randomly damaged real and synthetic directed complex networks, such as the World Wide Web, Twitter, the Caenorhabditis elegans neural network, directed Erdős-Rényi graphs, and others. We reveal a nonmonotonic dependence of the sensitivity to random pruning of edges or vertices in the case of C. elegans and Twitter that manifests specific structural peculiarities of these networks. We propose the measurements of the susceptibilities during the addition or pruning of edges and vertices as a new method for studying structural peculiarities of directed networks.

  6. Synaptic pruning in the female hippocampus is triggered at puberty by extrasynaptic GABAA receptors on dendritic spines

    PubMed Central

    Afroz, Sonia; Parato, Julie; Shen, Hui; Smith, Sheryl Sue

    2016-01-01

    Adolescent synaptic pruning is thought to enable optimal cognition because it is disrupted in certain neuropathologies, yet the initiator of this process is unknown. One factor not yet considered is the α4βδ GABAA receptor (GABAR), an extrasynaptic inhibitory receptor which first emerges on dendritic spines at puberty in female mice. Here we show that α4βδ GABARs trigger adolescent pruning. Spine density of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells decreased by half post-pubertally in female wild-type but not α4 KO mice. This effect was associated with decreased expression of kalirin-7 (Kal7), a spine protein which controls actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Kal7 decreased at puberty as a result of reduced NMDAR activation due to α4βδ-mediated inhibition. In the absence of this inhibition, Kal7 expression was unchanged at puberty. In the unpruned condition, spatial re-learning was impaired. These data suggest that pubertal pruning requires α4βδ GABARs. In their absence, pruning is prevented and cognition is not optimal. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.15106.001 PMID:27136678

  7. Decreasing-Rate Pruning Optimizes the Construction of Efficient and Robust Distributed Networks.

    PubMed

    Navlakha, Saket; Barth, Alison L; Bar-Joseph, Ziv

    2015-07-01

    Robust, efficient, and low-cost networks are advantageous in both biological and engineered systems. During neural network development in the brain, synapses are massively over-produced and then pruned-back over time. This strategy is not commonly used when designing engineered networks, since adding connections that will soon be removed is considered wasteful. Here, we show that for large distributed routing networks, network function is markedly enhanced by hyper-connectivity followed by aggressive pruning and that the global rate of pruning, a developmental parameter not previously studied by experimentalists, plays a critical role in optimizing network structure. We first used high-throughput image analysis techniques to quantify the rate of pruning in the mammalian neocortex across a broad developmental time window and found that the rate is decreasing over time. Based on these results, we analyzed a model of computational routing networks and show using both theoretical analysis and simulations that decreasing rates lead to more robust and efficient networks compared to other rates. We also present an application of this strategy to improve the distributed design of airline networks. Thus, inspiration from neural network formation suggests effective ways to design distributed networks across several domains.

  8. Decreasing-Rate Pruning Optimizes the Construction of Efficient and Robust Distributed Networks

    PubMed Central

    Navlakha, Saket; Barth, Alison L.; Bar-Joseph, Ziv

    2015-01-01

    Robust, efficient, and low-cost networks are advantageous in both biological and engineered systems. During neural network development in the brain, synapses are massively over-produced and then pruned-back over time. This strategy is not commonly used when designing engineered networks, since adding connections that will soon be removed is considered wasteful. Here, we show that for large distributed routing networks, network function is markedly enhanced by hyper-connectivity followed by aggressive pruning and that the global rate of pruning, a developmental parameter not previously studied by experimentalists, plays a critical role in optimizing network structure. We first used high-throughput image analysis techniques to quantify the rate of pruning in the mammalian neocortex across a broad developmental time window and found that the rate is decreasing over time. Based on these results, we analyzed a model of computational routing networks and show using both theoretical analysis and simulations that decreasing rates lead to more robust and efficient networks compared to other rates. We also present an application of this strategy to improve the distributed design of airline networks. Thus, inspiration from neural network formation suggests effective ways to design distributed networks across several domains. PMID:26217933

  9. The association between prune belly syndrome and dental anomalies: a case report.

    PubMed

    Basso, Maria Daniela; Favretto, Carla Oliveira; Cunha, Robson Frederico

    2012-12-18

    Prune belly syndrome is a rare condition produced by an early mesodermal defect that causes abdominal abnormalities. However, the literature indicates that disturbances related to ectodermal development may also be present. This is the first case report in the literature to suggest that dental abnormalities are part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of prune belly syndrome. Because the syndrome causes many serious medical problems, early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions are encouraged. The authors report the clinical case of a 4-year-old Caucasian boy with prune belly syndrome. In addition to the triad of abdominal muscle deficiency, abnormalities of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, and cryptorchidism, a geminated mandibular right central incisor, agenesis of a mandibular permanent left incisor, and congenitally missing primary teeth (namely, the mandibular right and left lateral incisors) were noted. This original case report about prune belly syndrome highlights the possibility that dental abnormalities are a part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of the syndrome. Therefore, an accurate intra-oral clinical examination and radiographic evaluation are required for patients with this syndrome in order to provide an early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions.

  10. 7 CFR 999.200 - Regulation governing the importation of prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... preservation; and (iii) brine dried prunes that have been impregnated with brine or salt during the dehydration... means injury by sunburn or excessive heat in dehydration to the extent that the characteristic...

  11. 7 CFR 999.200 - Regulation governing the importation of prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... preservation; and (iii) brine dried prunes that have been impregnated with brine or salt during the dehydration... means injury by sunburn or excessive heat in dehydration to the extent that the characteristic...

  12. 7 CFR 999.200 - Regulation governing the importation of prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... preservation; and (iii) brine dried prunes that have been impregnated with brine or salt during the dehydration... means injury by sunburn or excessive heat in dehydration to the extent that the characteristic...

  13. 7 CFR 999.200 - Regulation governing the importation of prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... preservation; and (iii) brine dried prunes that have been impregnated with brine or salt during the dehydration... means injury by sunburn or excessive heat in dehydration to the extent that the characteristic...

  14. Ensemble Pruning for Glaucoma Detection in an Unbalanced Data Set.

    PubMed

    Adler, Werner; Gefeller, Olaf; Gul, Asma; Horn, Folkert K; Khan, Zardad; Lausen, Berthold

    2016-12-07

    Random forests are successful classifier ensemble methods consisting of typically 100 to 1000 classification trees. Ensemble pruning techniques reduce the computational cost, especially the memory demand, of random forests by reducing the number of trees without relevant loss of performance or even with increased performance of the sub-ensemble. The application to the problem of an early detection of glaucoma, a severe eye disease with low prevalence, based on topographical measurements of the eye background faces specific challenges. We examine the performance of ensemble pruning strategies for glaucoma detection in an unbalanced data situation. The data set consists of 102 topographical features of the eye background of 254 healthy controls and 55 glaucoma patients. We compare the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and the Brier score on the total data set, in the majority class, and in the minority class of pruned random forest ensembles obtained with strategies based on the prediction accuracy of greedily grown sub-ensembles, the uncertainty weighted accuracy, and the similarity between single trees. To validate the findings and to examine the influence of the prevalence of glaucoma in the data set, we additionally perform a simulation study with lower prevalences of glaucoma. In glaucoma classification all three pruning strategies lead to improved AUC and smaller Brier scores on the total data set with sub-ensembles as small as 30 to 80 trees compared to the classification results obtained with the full ensemble consisting of 1000 trees. In the simulation study, we were able to show that the prevalence of glaucoma is a critical factor and lower prevalence decreases the performance of our pruning strategies. The memory demand for glaucoma classification in an unbalanced data situation based on random forests could effectively be reduced by the application of pruning strategies without loss of performance in a population with increased risk of glaucoma.

  15. Group Cohesiveness, Deviation, Stress, and Conformity

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-08-11

    Cola number of cups, __ Chocolate, cocoa, wine, beer/alcohol, decaffeinated coffee. Breads containing raisins, prunes, orange peel , banana , or...pudding, mince pie. Banana , avocado, pineapple, canned figs, raisins, plums and prunes. Oranges, orange juice, fru~ cocktail with pineapple. Tomato

  16. REM sleep selectively prunes and maintains new synapses in development and learning.

    PubMed

    Li, Wei; Ma, Lei; Yang, Guang; Gan, Wen-Biao

    2017-03-01

    The functions and underlying mechanisms of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep remain unclear. Here we show that REM sleep prunes newly formed postsynaptic dendritic spines of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the mouse motor cortex during development and motor learning. This REM sleep-dependent elimination of new spines facilitates subsequent spine formation during development and when a new motor task is learned, indicating a role for REM sleep in pruning to balance the number of new spines formed over time. Moreover, REM sleep also strengthens and maintains newly formed spines, which are critical for neuronal circuit development and behavioral improvement after learning. We further show that dendritic calcium spikes arising during REM sleep are important for pruning and strengthening new spines. Together, these findings indicate that REM sleep has multifaceted functions in brain development, learning and memory consolidation by selectively eliminating and maintaining newly formed synapses via dendritic calcium spike-dependent mechanisms.

  17. The Analysis of Alpha Beta Pruning and MTD(f) Algorithm to Determine the Best Algorithm to be Implemented at Connect Four Prototype

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tommy, Lukas; Hardjianto, Mardi; Agani, Nazori

    2017-04-01

    Connect Four is a two-player game which the players take turns dropping discs into a grid to connect 4 of one’s own discs next to each other vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. At Connect Four, Computer requires artificial intelligence (AI) in order to play properly like human. There are many AI algorithms that can be implemented to Connect Four, but the suitable algorithms are unknown. The suitable algorithm means optimal in choosing move and its execution time is not slow at search depth which is deep enough. In this research, analysis and comparison between standard alpha beta (AB) Pruning and MTD(f) will be carried out at the prototype of Connect Four in terms of optimality (win percentage) and speed (execution time and the number of leaf nodes). Experiments are carried out by running computer versus computer mode with 12 different conditions, i.e. varied search depth (5 through 10) and who moves first. The percentage achieved by MTD(f) based on experiments is win 45,83%, lose 37,5% and draw 16,67%. In the experiments with search depth 8, MTD(f) execution time is 35, 19% faster and evaluate 56,27% fewer leaf nodes than AB Pruning. The results of this research are MTD(f) is as optimal as AB Pruning at Connect Four prototype, but MTD(f) on average is faster and evaluates fewer leaf nodes than AB Pruning. The execution time of MTD(f) is not slow and much faster than AB Pruning at search depth which is deep enough.

  18. 7 CFR 993.150 - Disposition of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ....150 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED... handler, and any other place where he handles prunes. (b) Outgoing inspection. Except as otherwise...

  19. 40 CFR 180.553 - Fenhexamid; tolerances for residues.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 10 Pepper, nonbell 0.02 Pistachio 0.02 Plum, prune, dried 2.5 Plum, prune, fresh 1.5 Pomegranate 2.0 Salal 5.0 Strawberry 3.0 Vegetable, fruiting, group 8, except nonbell pepper 2.0 (b) Section 18...

  20. The Neural Basis of Aversive Pavlovian Guidance during Planning

    PubMed Central

    Faulkner, Paul

    2017-01-01

    Important real-world decisions are often arduous as they frequently involve sequences of choices, with initial selections affecting future options. Evaluating every possible combination of choices is computationally intractable, particularly for longer multistep decisions. Therefore, humans frequently use heuristics to reduce the complexity of decisions. We recently used a goal-directed planning task to demonstrate the profound behavioral influence and ubiquity of one such shortcut, namely aversive pruning, a reflexive Pavlovian process that involves neglecting parts of the decision space residing beyond salient negative outcomes. However, how the brain implements this important decision heuristic and what underlies individual differences have hitherto remained unanswered. Therefore, we administered an adapted version of the same planning task to healthy male and female volunteers undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine the neural basis of aversive pruning. Through both computational and standard categorical fMRI analyses, we show that when planning was influenced by aversive pruning, the subgenual cingulate cortex was robustly recruited. This neural signature was distinct from those associated with general planning and valuation, two fundamental cognitive components elicited by our task but which are complementary to aversive pruning. Furthermore, we found that individual variation in levels of aversive pruning was associated with the responses of insula and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices to the receipt of large monetary losses, and also with subclinical levels of anxiety. In summary, our data reveal the neural signatures of an important reflexive Pavlovian process that shapes goal-directed evaluations and thereby determines the outcome of high-level sequential cognitive processes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Multistep decisions are complex because initial choices constrain future options. Evaluating every path for long decision sequences is often impractical; thus, cognitive shortcuts are often essential. One pervasive and powerful heuristic is aversive pruning, in which potential decision-making avenues are curtailed at immediate negative outcomes. We used neuroimaging to examine how humans implement such pruning. We found it to be associated with activity in the subgenual cingulate cortex, with neural signatures that were distinguishable from those covarying with planning and valuation. Individual variations in aversive pruning levels related to subclinical anxiety levels and insular cortex activation. These findings reveal the neural mechanisms by which basic negative Pavlovian influences guide decision-making during planning, with implications for disrupted decision-making in psychiatric disorders. PMID:28924006

  1. The Neural Basis of Aversive Pavlovian Guidance during Planning.

    PubMed

    Lally, Níall; Huys, Quentin J M; Eshel, Neir; Faulkner, Paul; Dayan, Peter; Roiser, Jonathan P

    2017-10-18

    Important real-world decisions are often arduous as they frequently involve sequences of choices, with initial selections affecting future options. Evaluating every possible combination of choices is computationally intractable, particularly for longer multistep decisions. Therefore, humans frequently use heuristics to reduce the complexity of decisions. We recently used a goal-directed planning task to demonstrate the profound behavioral influence and ubiquity of one such shortcut, namely aversive pruning, a reflexive Pavlovian process that involves neglecting parts of the decision space residing beyond salient negative outcomes. However, how the brain implements this important decision heuristic and what underlies individual differences have hitherto remained unanswered. Therefore, we administered an adapted version of the same planning task to healthy male and female volunteers undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine the neural basis of aversive pruning. Through both computational and standard categorical fMRI analyses, we show that when planning was influenced by aversive pruning, the subgenual cingulate cortex was robustly recruited. This neural signature was distinct from those associated with general planning and valuation, two fundamental cognitive components elicited by our task but which are complementary to aversive pruning. Furthermore, we found that individual variation in levels of aversive pruning was associated with the responses of insula and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices to the receipt of large monetary losses, and also with subclinical levels of anxiety. In summary, our data reveal the neural signatures of an important reflexive Pavlovian process that shapes goal-directed evaluations and thereby determines the outcome of high-level sequential cognitive processes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Multistep decisions are complex because initial choices constrain future options. Evaluating every path for long decision sequences is often impractical; thus, cognitive shortcuts are often essential. One pervasive and powerful heuristic is aversive pruning, in which potential decision-making avenues are curtailed at immediate negative outcomes. We used neuroimaging to examine how humans implement such pruning. We found it to be associated with activity in the subgenual cingulate cortex, with neural signatures that were distinguishable from those covarying with planning and valuation. Individual variations in aversive pruning levels related to subclinical anxiety levels and insular cortex activation. These findings reveal the neural mechanisms by which basic negative Pavlovian influences guide decision-making during planning, with implications for disrupted decision-making in psychiatric disorders. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/3710216-15$15.00/0.

  2. 7 CFR 944.350 - Safeguard procedures for avocados, grapefruit, kiwifruit, olives, oranges, prune variety plums...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes for processing; (3) Olives for processing into oil; (4) Grapefruit for animal feed; or (5) Avocados for seed shall obtain an “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” (FV-6...

  3. 7 CFR 944.350 - Safeguard procedures for avocados, grapefruit, kiwifruit, olives, oranges, prune variety plums...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes for processing; (3) Olives for processing into oil; (4) Grapefruit for animal feed; or (5) Avocados for seed shall obtain an “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” (FV-6...

  4. 7 CFR 944.350 - Safeguard procedures for avocados, grapefruit, kiwifruit, olives, oranges, prune variety plums...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes for processing; (3) Olives for processing into oil; (4) Grapefruit for animal feed; or (5) Avocados for seed shall obtain an “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” (FV-6...

  5. 7 CFR 944.350 - Safeguard procedures for avocados, grapefruit, kiwifruit, olives, oranges, prune variety plums...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes for processing; (3) Olives for processing into oil; (4) Grapefruit for animal feed; or (5) Avocados for seed shall obtain an “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” (FV-6...

  6. 7 CFR 944.350 - Safeguard procedures for avocados, grapefruit, kiwifruit, olives, oranges, prune variety plums...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes for processing; (3) Olives for processing into oil; (4) Grapefruit for animal feed; or (5) Avocados for seed shall obtain an “Importer's Exempt Commodity Form” (FV-6...

  7. 21 CFR 150.110 - Fruit butter.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ..., canned, and/or dried (evaporated) mature fruits, with or without added water, and screening out skins... Apricot 7.0 Grape 7.0 Peach 8.5 Pear 6.5 Plum (other than prune) 7.0 Prune 7.0 Quince 7.5 (2) The...

  8. 21 CFR 150.110 - Fruit butter.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ..., canned, and/or dried (evaporated) mature fruits, with or without added water, and screening out skins... Apricot 7.0 Grape 7.0 Peach 8.5 Pear 6.5 Plum (other than prune) 7.0 Prune 7.0 Quince 7.5 (2) The...

  9. 21 CFR 150.110 - Fruit butter.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ..., canned, and/or dried (evaporated) mature fruits, with or without added water, and screening out skins... Apricot 7.0 Grape 7.0 Peach 8.5 Pear 6.5 Plum (other than prune) 7.0 Prune 7.0 Quince 7.5 (2) The...

  10. 7 CFR 993.5 - Prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... the Food Technology Division, College of Agriculture, University of California, for the specialty pack... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Prunes. 993.5 Section 993.5 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and...

  11. A favorable outcome following 32 vesicocentesis and amnioinfusion procedures in a fetus with severe prune belly syndrome.

    PubMed

    Galati, Vincenzo; Beeson, James H; Confer, Stephen D; Frimberger, Dominic; Campbell, Jeffrey B; Ramji, Faridali G; Kropp, Bradley P

    2008-04-01

    Patients with severe prune belly syndrome rarely survive beyond the first days of life. We present a case of prune belly syndrome that initially presented with severe oligohydramnios, megacystis and associated poor urine biochemistries. Due to an anteriorly located placenta the patient was referred to three major centers, but was turned down because of the unfavorable prognostic findings. Therefore, fetal intervention was performed with 32 vesicocentesis and amnioinfusion procedures. Despite the unfavorable prenatal findings, and having undergone numerous fetal interventions, the birth resulted in a viable infant.

  12. The association between prune belly syndrome and dental anomalies: a case report

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Prune belly syndrome is a rare condition produced by an early mesodermal defect that causes abdominal abnormalities. However, the literature indicates that disturbances related to ectodermal development may also be present. This is the first case report in the literature to suggest that dental abnormalities are part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of prune belly syndrome. Because the syndrome causes many serious medical problems, early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions are encouraged. Case presentation The authors report the clinical case of a 4-year-old Caucasian boy with prune belly syndrome. In addition to the triad of abdominal muscle deficiency, abnormalities of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, and cryptorchidism, a geminated mandibular right central incisor, agenesis of a mandibular permanent left incisor, and congenitally missing primary teeth (namely, the mandibular right and left lateral incisors) were noted. Conclusion This original case report about prune belly syndrome highlights the possibility that dental abnormalities are a part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of the syndrome. Therefore, an accurate intra-oral clinical examination and radiographic evaluation are required for patients with this syndrome in order to provide an early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions. PMID:23249412

  13. Formulation of an alginate-vineyard pruning waste composite as a new eco-friendly adsorbent to remove micronutrients from agroindustrial effluents.

    PubMed

    Vecino, X; Devesa-Rey, R; Moldes, A B; Cruz, J M

    2014-09-01

    The cellulosic fraction of vineyard pruning waste (free of hemicellulosic sugars) was entrapped in calcium alginate beads and evaluated as an eco-friendly adsorbent for the removal of different nutrients and micronutrients (Mg, P, Zn, K, N-NH4, SO4, TN, TC and PO4) from an agroindustrial effluent (winery wastewater). Batch adsorption studies were performed by varying the amounts of cellulosic adsorbent (0.5-2%), sodium alginate (1-5%) and calcium chloride (0.05-0.9M) included in the biocomposite. The optimal formulation of the adsorbent composite varied depending on the target contaminant. Thus, for the adsorption of cationic contaminants (Mg, Zn, K, N-NH4 and TN), the best mixture comprised 5% sodium alginate, 0.05M calcium chloride and 0.5% cellulosic vineyard pruning waste, whereas for removal of anionic compounds (P, SO4 and PO4), the optimal mixture comprised 1% sodium alginate, 0.9M calcium chloride and 0.5% cellulosic vineyard pruning waste. To remove TC from the winery wastewater, the optimal mixture comprised 3% of sodium alginate, 0.475M calcium chloride and 0.5% cellulosic vineyard pruning waste. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. 7 CFR 993.24 - Establishment and membership.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing... CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Prune Marketing Committee § 993.24 Establishment and membership. A Prune Marketing Committee (herein referred to as the “Committee”), consisting of 22 members with an alternate...

  15. 40 CFR 180.578 - Acetamiprid; tolerances for residues.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... shelled, subgroup 6B 0.40 Pistachio 0.10 Plum, prune, dried 0.40 Plum, prune, fresh 0.20 Tea, dried1 50.0... 10, 2010, for the use of acetamiprid on dried tea. (2) Tolerances are established for residues of the...

  16. 40 CFR 180.578 - Acetamiprid; tolerances for residues.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... shelled, subgroup 6B 0.40 Pistachio 0.10 Plum, prune, dried 0.40 Plum, prune, fresh 0.20 Tea, dried1 50.0... 10, 2010, for the use of acetamiprid on dried tea. (2) Tolerances are established for residues of the...

  17. 7 CFR 993.54 - Establishment of salable and reserve percentages.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Reserve Control § 993.54 Establishment of... that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates issued...

  18. 7 CFR 993.54 - Establishment of salable and reserve percentages.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Reserve Control § 993.54 Establishment of... that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates issued...

  19. 7 CFR 993.150 - Disposition of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Disposition of prunes by handlers. 993.150 Section 993.150 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED...

  20. 7 CFR 993.54 - Establishment of salable and reserve percentages.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Reserve Control § 993.54 Establishment of... that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates issued...

  1. 7 CFR 993.150 - Disposition of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Disposition of prunes by handlers. 993.150 Section 993.150 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED...

  2. 7 CFR 993.54 - Establishment of salable and reserve percentages.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Reserve Control § 993.54 Establishment of... that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates issued...

  3. 7 CFR 993.54 - Establishment of salable and reserve percentages.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED PRUNES PRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA Order Regulating Handling Reserve Control § 993.54 Establishment of... that diverted tonnage (dried weight natural condition prune basis) on diversion certificates issued...

  4. 7 CFR 993.150 - Disposition of prunes by handlers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Disposition of prunes by handlers. 993.150 Section 993.150 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DRIED...

  5. 7 CFR 944.700 - Fresh prune import regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing....700 Fresh prune import regulation. (a) Pursuant to section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement... means release from custody of the United States Customs Service. (g) Inspection and certification...

  6. The over-pruning hypothesis of autism.

    PubMed

    Thomas, Michael S C; Davis, Rachael; Karmiloff-Smith, Annette; Knowland, Victoria C P; Charman, Tony

    2016-03-01

    This article outlines the over-pruning hypothesis of autism. The hypothesis originates in a neurocomputational model of the regressive sub-type (Thomas, Knowland & Karmiloff-Smith, 2011a, 2011b). Here we develop a more general version of the over-pruning hypothesis to address heterogeneity in the timing of manifestation of ASD, including new computer simulations which reconcile the different observed developmental trajectories (early onset, late onset, regression) via a single underlying atypical mechanism; and which show how unaffected siblings of individuals with ASD may differ from controls either by inheriting a milder version of the pathological mechanism or by co-inheriting the risk factors without the pathological mechanism. The proposed atypical mechanism involves overly aggressive synaptic pruning in infancy and early childhood, an exaggeration of a normal phase of brain development. We show how the hypothesis generates novel predictions that differ from existing theories of ASD including that (1) the first few months of development in ASD will be indistinguishable from typical, and (2) the earliest atypicalities in ASD will be sensory and motor rather than social. Both predictions gain cautious support from emerging longitudinal studies of infants at-risk of ASD. We review evidence consistent with the over-pruning hypothesis, its relation to other current theories (including C. Frith's under-pruning proposal; C. Frith, 2003, 2004), as well as inconsistent data and current limitations. The hypothesis situates causal accounts of ASD within a framework of protective and risk factors (Newschaffer et al., 2012); clarifies different versions of the broader autism phenotype (i.e. the implication of observed similarities between individuals with autism and their family members); and integrates data from multiple disciplines, including behavioural studies, neuroscience studies, genetics, and intervention studies. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  7. The content of secondary phenol metabolites in pruned leaves of Aloe arborescens, a comparison between two methods: leaf exudates and leaf water extract.

    PubMed

    Gutterman, Yitzchak; Chauser-Volfson, Elena

    2008-10-01

    Aloe arborescens plants, originating from the deserts of South Africa, are grown in the Introduction Garden at Sede Boker in the Negev Desert of Israel. In previous studies, we developed agro-technical methods to raise the content of secondary phenol metabolites (SPhMs) in the Aloe leaves. Plants that are subjected to repeated leaf pruning respond by increasing the content of their SPhMs. The SPhMs found in Aloe arborescens include barbaloin, aloenin and derivatives of aloeresin. Such compounds are used for many purposes, including human skin protection from sun and fire burns and high radiation, as products of the pharmaceutics and cosmetics industries, and as food supplements for treating stomach ulcers and diabetes. In the current study, the SPhMs were separated from pruned leaves of the same A. arborescens plants at the same time by two methods: (1) exudation by squeezing the tissues of the leaves, (2) immersion of the leaves' pruned cut bottom in water and collection of the extract. The exudates and extract were frozen, freeze-dried to a powder and the SPhMs were then separated by chromatography. The yield of powder from water extraction from pruned leaves was much lower than the yield from the exudates. However, higher percentages of the powder from the water extraction contained SPhMs (between 80 and 92.7%). The content of powder in leaf exudates from pruned leaves was much higher because the SPhMs were squeezed out from the cells and tissues. However, the percentages of SPhMs in this powder were much lower (between 39 and 62%).

  8. Whole-plant adjustments in coconut (Cocos nucifera) in response to sink-source imbalance.

    PubMed

    Mialet-Serra, I; Clement-Vidal, A; Roupsard, O; Jourdan, C; Dingkuhn, M

    2008-08-01

    Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is a perennial tropical monocotyledon that produces fruit continuously. The physiological function of the large amounts of sucrose stored in coconut stems is unknown. To test the hypothesis that reserve storage and mobilization enable the crop to adjust to variable sink-source relationships at the scale of the whole plant, we investigated the dynamics of dry matter production, yield and yield components, and concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrate reserves in a coconut plantation on Vanuatu Island in the South Pacific. Two treatments were implemented continuously over 29 months (April 2002 to August 2004): 50% leaf pruning (to reduce the source) and 100% fruit and inflorescence pruning (to reduce the sink). The pruning treatments had little effect on carbohydrate reserves because they affected only petioles, not the main reserve pool in the stem. Both pruning treatments greatly reduced dry matter production of the reproductive compartment, but vegetative growth and development were negligibly affected by treatment and season. Leaf pruning increased radiation-use efficiency (RUE) initially, and fruit pruning greatly reduced RUE throughout the experiment. Changes in RUE were negatively correlated with leaflet soluble sugar concentration, indicating feedback inhibition of photosynthesis. We conclude that vegetative development and growth of coconut show little phenotypic plasticity, assimilate demand for growth being largely independent of a fluctuating assimilate supply. The resulting sink-source imbalances were partly compensated for by transitory reserves and, more importantly, by variable RUE in the short term, and by adjustment of fruit load in the long term. Possible physiological mechanisms are discussed, as well as modeling concepts that may be applied to coconut and similar tree crops.

  9. HClass: Automatic classification tool for health pathologies using artificial intelligence techniques.

    PubMed

    Garcia-Chimeno, Yolanda; Garcia-Zapirain, Begonya

    2015-01-01

    The classification of subjects' pathologies enables a rigorousness to be applied to the treatment of certain pathologies, as doctors on occasions play with so many variables that they can end up confusing some illnesses with others. Thanks to Machine Learning techniques applied to a health-record database, it is possible to make using our algorithm. hClass contains a non-linear classification of either a supervised, non-supervised or semi-supervised type. The machine is configured using other techniques such as validation of the set to be classified (cross-validation), reduction in features (PCA) and committees for assessing the various classifiers. The tool is easy to use, and the sample matrix and features that one wishes to classify, the number of iterations and the subjects who are going to be used to train the machine all need to be introduced as inputs. As a result, the success rate is shown either via a classifier or via a committee if one has been formed. A 90% success rate is obtained in the ADABoost classifier and 89.7% in the case of a committee (comprising three classifiers) when PCA is applied. This tool can be expanded to allow the user to totally characterise the classifiers by adjusting them to each classification use.

  10. Retrieval of spheroid particle size distribution from spectral extinction data in the independent mode using PCA approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tang, Hong; Lin, Jian-Zhong

    2013-01-01

    An improved anomalous diffraction approximation (ADA) method is presented for calculating the extinction efficiency of spheroids firstly. In this approach, the extinction efficiency of spheroid particles can be calculated with good accuracy and high efficiency in a wider size range by combining the Latimer method and the ADA theory, and this method can present a more general expression for calculating the extinction efficiency of spheroid particles with various complex refractive indices and aspect ratios. Meanwhile, the visible spectral extinction with varied spheroid particle size distributions and complex refractive indices is surveyed. Furthermore, a selection principle about the spectral extinction data is developed based on PCA (principle component analysis) of first derivative spectral extinction. By calculating the contribution rate of first derivative spectral extinction, the spectral extinction with more significant features can be selected as the input data, and those with less features is removed from the inversion data. In addition, we propose an improved Tikhonov iteration method to retrieve the spheroid particle size distributions in the independent mode. Simulation experiments indicate that the spheroid particle size distributions obtained with the proposed method coincide fairly well with the given distributions, and this inversion method provides a simple, reliable and efficient method to retrieve the spheroid particle size distributions from the spectral extinction data.

  11. Predictive spectroscopy and chemical imaging based on novel optical systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nelson, Matthew Paul

    1998-10-01

    This thesis describes two futuristic optical systems designed to surpass contemporary spectroscopic methods for predictive spectroscopy and chemical imaging. These systems are advantageous to current techniques in a number of ways including lower cost, enhanced portability, shorter analysis time, and improved S/N. First, a novel optical approach to predicting chemical and physical properties based on principal component analysis (PCA) is proposed and evaluated. A regression vector produced by PCA is designed into the structure of a set of paired optical filters. Light passing through the paired filters produces an analog detector signal directly proportional to the chemical/physical property for which the regression vector was designed. Second, a novel optical system is described which takes a single-shot approach to chemical imaging with high spectroscopic resolution using a dimension-reduction fiber-optic array. Images are focused onto a two- dimensional matrix of optical fibers which are drawn into a linear distal array with specific ordering. The distal end is imaged with a spectrograph equipped with an ICCD camera for spectral analysis. Software is used to extract the spatial/spectral information contained in the ICCD images and deconvolute them into wave length-specific reconstructed images or position-specific spectra which span a multi-wavelength space. This thesis includes a description of the fabrication of two dimension-reduction arrays as well as an evaluation of the system for spatial and spectral resolution, throughput, image brightness, resolving power, depth of focus, and channel cross-talk. PCA is performed on the images by treating rows of the ICCD images as spectra and plotting the scores of each PC as a function of reconstruction position. In addition, iterative target transformation factor analysis (ITTFA) is performed on the spectroscopic images to generate ``true'' chemical maps of samples. Univariate zero-order images, univariate first-order spectroscopic images, bivariate first-order spectroscopic images, and multivariate first-order spectroscopic images of the temporal development of laser-induced plumes are presented and interpreted. Reconstructed chemical images generated using bivariate and trivariate wavelength techniques, bimodal and trimodal PCA methods, and bimodal and trimodal ITTFA approaches are also included.

  12. 7 CFR 993.22 - Consumer package.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Consumer package. 993.22 Section 993.22 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements... weight of mixed dried fruit in the lot consists of standard processed prunes or standard prunes. ...

  13. 7 CFR 993.22 - Consumer package.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Consumer package. 993.22 Section 993.22 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements... weight of mixed dried fruit in the lot consists of standard processed prunes or standard prunes. ...

  14. 7 CFR 944.700 - Fresh prune import regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Fresh prune import regulation. 944.700 Section 944.700 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FRUITS; IMPORT REGULATIONS § 944...

  15. 7 CFR 944.700 - Fresh prune import regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Fresh prune import regulation. 944.700 Section 944.700 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FRUITS; IMPORT REGULATIONS § 944...

  16. 7 CFR 944.700 - Fresh prune import regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Fresh prune import regulation. 944.700 Section 944.700 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FRUITS; IMPORT REGULATIONS § 944...

  17. 7 CFR 944.700 - Fresh prune import regulation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Fresh prune import regulation. 944.700 Section 944.700 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (MARKETING AGREEMENTS AND ORDERS; FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FRUITS; IMPORT REGULATIONS § 944...

  18. The Effects of Predictability on Stress and Immune Function

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-06-24

    number of cups ______________ _ Chocolate, cocoa, wine, beer/alcohol, decaffeinated coffee. Breads containing raisins, prunes, orange peel , banana or...pudding,. mince pie ••••• ) Banana , avocado, pineapple, canned figs, raisins, plums and prune •• Orange., orange juice, fruit cocktail with pineapple

  19. 7 CFR 924.60 - Reports.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Reports. 924.60 Section 924.60 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and... carrier transporting such prunes; and (4) the destination of each shipment of such prunes. (b) All such...

  20. Epicormic branching on pruned white fir

    Treesearch

    Richard D. Cosens

    1952-01-01

    Epicormic branches have developed on white fir (Abies concolor) one to two years after part of the live limbs were removed in a pruning experiment. The appearance of an average of six epicormic sprouts per tree raises some doubt as to the desirability of planting this species.

  1. REM sleep selectively prunes and maintains new synapses in development and learning

    PubMed Central

    Li, Wei; Ma, Lei; Yang, Guang; Gan, Wenbiao

    2017-01-01

    The functions and underlying mechanisms of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep remain unclear. Here we show that REM sleep prunes newly-formed postsynaptic dendritic spines of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the mouse motor cortex during development and motor learning. This REM sleep-dependent elimination of new spines facilitates subsequent spine formation in development and when a new motor task is learned, indicating a role of REM sleep in pruning to balance the number of new spines formed over time. In addition, REM sleep also strengthens and maintains some newly-formed spines that are critical for neuronal circuit development and behavioral improvement after learning. We further show that dendritic calcium spikes arising during REM sleep are important for pruning and strengthening of new spines. Together, these findings indicate that REM sleep has multifaceted functions in brain development, learning, and memory consolidation by selectively eliminating and maintaining newly-formed synapses via dendritic calcium spike-dependent mechanisms. PMID:28092659

  2. Partial polygon pruning of hydrographic features in automated generalization

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Stum, Alexander K.; Buttenfield, Barbara P.; Stanislawski, Larry V.

    2017-01-01

    This paper demonstrates a working method to automatically detect and prune portions of waterbody polygons to support creation of a multi-scale hydrographic database. Water features are known to be sensitive to scale change; and thus multiple representations are required to maintain visual and geographic logic at smaller scales. Partial pruning of polygonal features—such as long and sinuous reservoir arms, stream channels that are too narrow at the target scale, and islands that begin to coalesce—entails concurrent management of the length and width of polygonal features as well as integrating pruned polygons with other generalized point and linear hydrographic features to maintain stream network connectivity. The implementation follows data representation standards developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Portions of polygonal rivers, streams, and canals are automatically characterized for width, length, and connectivity. This paper describes an algorithm for automatic detection and subsequent processing, and shows results for a sample of NHD subbasins in different landscape conditions in the United States.

  3. Application of the pessimistic pruning to increase the accuracy of C4.5 algorithm in diagnosing chronic kidney disease

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Muslim, M. A.; Herowati, A. J.; Sugiharti, E.; Prasetiyo, B.

    2018-03-01

    A technique to dig valuable information buried or hidden in data collection which is so big to be found an interesting patterns that was previously unknown is called data mining. Data mining has been applied in the healthcare industry. One technique used data mining is classification. The decision tree included in the classification of data mining and algorithm developed by decision tree is C4.5 algorithm. A classifier is designed using applying pessimistic pruning in C4.5 algorithm in diagnosing chronic kidney disease. Pessimistic pruning use to identify and remove branches that are not needed, this is done to avoid overfitting the decision tree generated by the C4.5 algorithm. In this paper, the result obtained using these classifiers are presented and discussed. Using pessimistic pruning shows increase accuracy of C4.5 algorithm of 1.5% from 95% to 96.5% in diagnosing of chronic kidney disease.

  4. Grammatical complexity for two-dimensional maps

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hagiwara, Ryouichi; Shudo, Akira

    2004-11-01

    We calculate the grammatical complexity of the symbol sequences generated from the Hénon map and the Lozi map using the recently developed methods to construct the pruning front. When the map is hyperbolic, the language of symbol sequences is regular in the sense of the Chomsky hierarchy and the corresponding grammatical complexity takes finite values. It is found that the complexity exhibits a self-similar structure as a function of the system parameter, and the similarity of the pruning fronts is discussed as an origin of such self-similarity. For non-hyperbolic cases, it is observed that the complexity monotonically increases as we increase the resolution of the pruning front.

  5. Root Pruning of Mahogany Nursery Stock

    Treesearch

    R. W. Nobles; C. B. Briscoe

    1966-01-01

    Root pruning had no effect on growth or survival of either young or held-over mahogany nursery stock. Potted mahogany seedlings may be held in the nursery an extra year or more without reducing-either growth or survival following outplanting. Growth may be slightly better for the older stock.

  6. 7 CFR 81.17 - Death, incompetency, or disappearance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Death, incompetency, or disappearance. 81.17 Section... DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION PROGRAMS PRUNE/DRIED PLUM DIVERSION PROGRAM § 81.17 Death, incompetency, or disappearance. In the case of death, incompetency, disappearance, or dissolution of a prune/plum producer that...

  7. Prune Belly Syndrome

    PubMed Central

    Tagore, Koyye Ravindranath; Ramineni, Asok Kumar S.; Vijaya Lakshmi, A. R.; N., Bhavani

    2011-01-01

    Prune belly syndrome is a rare congenital disorder of the urinary system, characterized by a triad of abnormalities. The aetiology is not known. Many infants are either stillborn or die within the first few weeks of life from severe lung or kidney problems, or a combination of congenital anomalies. PMID:22606508

  8. 7 CFR 993.13 - Handle.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Handle. 993.13 Section 993.13 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and..., or ship (except as a carrier of prunes owned by another person), or in any other way to place prunes...

  9. 7 CFR 993.106 - In-line inspection.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false In-line inspection. 993.106 Section 993.106 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing... means inspection of prunes where samples are drawn from a flow of prunes prior to packaging. Effective...

  10. 7 CFR 993.504 - In-line inspection.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false In-line inspection. 993.504 Section 993.504 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing... inspection of prunes where samples are drawn from a flow of prunes prior to packaging. Effective Date Note...

  11. 78 FR 63128 - Dried Prunes Produced in California; Increased Assessment Rate

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-10-23

    ...; Increased Assessment Rate AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: This... the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has... prunes. Dated: October 17, 2013. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service...

  12. 7 CFR 81.17 - Death, incompetency, or disappearance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Death, incompetency, or disappearance. 81.17 Section... DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION PROGRAMS PRUNE/DRIED PLUM DIVERSION PROGRAM § 81.17 Death, incompetency, or disappearance. In the case of death, incompetency, disappearance, or dissolution of a prune/plum producer that...

  13. 7 CFR 81.17 - Death, incompetency, or disappearance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Death, incompetency, or disappearance. 81.17 Section... DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION PROGRAMS PRUNE/DRIED PLUM DIVERSION PROGRAM § 81.17 Death, incompetency, or disappearance. In the case of death, incompetency, disappearance, or dissolution of a prune/plum producer that...

  14. 7 CFR 81.17 - Death, incompetency, or disappearance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Death, incompetency, or disappearance. 81.17 Section... DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION PROGRAMS PRUNE/DRIED PLUM DIVERSION PROGRAM § 81.17 Death, incompetency, or disappearance. In the case of death, incompetency, disappearance, or dissolution of a prune/plum producer that...

  15. 7 CFR 81.17 - Death, incompetency, or disappearance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Death, incompetency, or disappearance. 81.17 Section... DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION PROGRAMS PRUNE/DRIED PLUM DIVERSION PROGRAM § 81.17 Death, incompetency, or disappearance. In the case of death, incompetency, disappearance, or dissolution of a prune/plum producer that...

  16. Thyroid hormone is required for pruning, functioning and long-term maintenance of afferent inner hair cell synapses

    PubMed Central

    Sundaresan, Srividya; Kong, Jee-Hyun; Fang, Qing; Salles, Felipe T.; Wangsawihardja, Felix; Ricci, Anthony J.; Mustapha, Mirna

    2016-01-01

    Functional maturation of afferent synaptic connections to inner hair cells (IHCs) involves pruning of excess synapses formed during development, as well as the strengthening and survival of the retained synapses. These events take place during the thyroid hormone (TH)-critical period of cochlear development, which is in the perinatal period for mice and in the third trimester for humans. Here, we used the hypothyroid Snell dwarf mouse (Pit1dw) as a model to study the role of TH in afferent type I synaptic refinement and functional maturation. We observed defects in afferent synaptic pruning and delays in calcium channel clustering in the IHCs of Pit1dw mice. Nevertheless, calcium currents and capacitance reached near normal levels in Pit1dw IHCs by the age of onset of hearing, despite the excess number of retained synapses. We restored normal synaptic pruning in Pit1dw IHCs by supplementing with TH from postnatal day (P)3 to P8, establishing this window as being critical for TH action on this process. Afferent terminals of older Pit1dw IHCs showed evidence of excitotoxic damage accompanied by a concomitant reduction in the levels of the glial glutamate transporter, GLAST. Our results indicate that a lack of TH during a critical period of inner ear development causes defects in pruning and long-term homeostatic maintenance of afferent synapses. PMID:26386265

  17. 7 CFR 52.3182 - Varietal types of dried prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... MARKETING ACT OF 1946 PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, PROCESSED PRODUCTS THEREOF, AND CERTAIN OTHER PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS 1 United States Standards for Grades of Dried Prunes Product Description, Varietal... of French and Robe. (b) Type II. Italian. (c) Type III. Imperial; or Sugar; or a mixture of Imperial...

  18. 7 CFR 52.3182 - Varietal types of dried prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... MARKETING ACT OF 1946 PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, PROCESSED PRODUCTS THEREOF, AND CERTAIN OTHER PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS 1 United States Standards for Grades of Dried Prunes Product Description, Varietal... of French and Robe. (b) Type II. Italian. (c) Type III. Imperial; or Sugar; or a mixture of Imperial...

  19. Criteria for Pruning Academic Programs: Actual vs. Ideal. ASHE 1988 Annual Meeting Paper.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ross, Cynthia S.; Gardiner, John J.

    Two decades following the publication of David G. Brown's "Criteria for Pruning Programs," (which recognized that traditional financial support to higher education was decreasing and proposed 10 guidelines for evaluating existing programs) a study was developed to determine what criteria are actually being used by comprehensive…

  20. Chemical root pruning of conifer seedlings in Mexico

    Treesearch

    Arnulfo Aldrete; John G. Mexal

    2002-01-01

    Many countries grow seedlings for reforestation in polybags where root spiraling and root egression can decrease seedling survival and growth following outplanting. The overall objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of chemical root pruning on root spiraling, root egression, and nursery performance of Pinus pseudostrobus, P...

  1. 76 FR 53813 - Dried Prunes Produced in California; Decreased Assessment Rate

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-08-30

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 993 [Doc. No. AMS-FV-11-0068... Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments. SUMMARY: This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Prune Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2011-12 and subsequent crop...

  2. 75 FR 67607 - Dried Prunes Produced in California; Increased Assessment Rate

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-03

    ... Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. Under the marketing order now in effect, California dried prune... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 993 [Doc. No. AMS-FV-10-0057... Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This rule increases the assessment rate established...

  3. 7 CFR 944.400 - Designated inspection services and procedure for obtaining inspection and certification of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., quality, and maturity of avocados, grapefruit, nectarines, oranges, prune variety plums (fresh prunes... designated as a governmental inspection service for the purpose of certifying grade, size, quality and... New Mexico, Officer In Charge, New Mexico Market and Development Branch, New Mexico Department of...

  4. 7 CFR 52.3185 - Moisture limits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Moisture limits. 52.3185 Section 52.3185 Agriculture... United States Standards for Grades of Dried Prunes Moisture, Uniformity of Size, Defects § 52.3185 Moisture limits. Dried prunes shall not exceed the moisture limits for the applicable grades and kind and...

  5. 7 CFR 52.3185 - Moisture limits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Moisture limits. 52.3185 Section 52.3185 Agriculture... CERTAIN OTHER PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS 1 United States Standards for Grades of Dried Prunes Moisture, Uniformity of Size, Defects § 52.3185 Moisture limits. Dried prunes shall not exceed the moisture limits for...

  6. 7 CFR 52.3185 - Moisture limits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Moisture limits. 52.3185 Section 52.3185 Agriculture... CERTAIN OTHER PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS 1 United States Standards for Grades of Dried Prunes Moisture, Uniformity of Size, Defects § 52.3185 Moisture limits. Dried prunes shall not exceed the moisture limits for...

  7. 7 CFR 993.21d - Reserve prunes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Reserve prunes. 993.21d Section 993.21d Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements... percentage established by the Secretary pursuant to § 993.54. [30 FR 9798, Aug. 6, 1965] Effective Date Note...

  8. 7 CFR 52.3187 - Definitions and explanations of defects.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... flesh, or both, of the prune. (h) Insect injury. “Insect injury” means healed or unhealed surface..., edibility, or keeping quality of the prune but which do not possess evidence of insect infestation. (i..., twigs, pieces of wood, and similar extraneous materials which are objectionable. (m) Insect infestation...

  9. Three-dimensional reconstruction of fruit trees by a shape from silhouette method

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    In order to robotically prune a dormant fruit tree, the branches must be identified in a three-dimensional space. Furthermore, the branches need to be measured in order to determine which branches should be pruned. Both the identification and measurement of branches can be accomplished by generati...

  10. Pruning dwarf mistletoe brooms reduces stress on Jeffrey pines, Cleveland National Forest, California

    Treesearch

    Robert F. Scharpf; Richard S. Smith; Detlev Vogler

    1987-01-01

    Western dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium campylopodum) is a damaging parasite of Jeffrey pines (Pinus jeffreyi) in southern California. Infected branches that develop into brooms are believed to reduce tlee vigor and increase mortality. Brooms were pruned from Jeffrey pines with varying levels of dwarf mistletoe infection and live...

  11. Impact of Pruning Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)

    Treesearch

    Thomas L. Schmidt; Tom D. Wardle

    2002-01-01

    In recent years, eastern redcedar has been the most rapidly expanding tree resource in the Great Plains from Oklahoma to South Dakota, primarily in rangelands and pastures. Based on these increases and potential management-related problems, eastern redcedar is perceived as a threat to the rangeland resource. Pruning eastern redcedar can allow for increased herbaceous...

  12. Pruning high-value Douglas-fir can reduce dwarf mistletoe severity and increase longevity in Central Oregon

    Treesearch

    Helen M. Maffei; Gregory M. Filip; Nancy E. Grulke; Brent W. Oblinger; Ellis Q. Margolis; Kristen L. Chadwick

    2016-01-01

    Mid- to very large-sized Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menzieseii var. menziesii) that were lightly- to moderately-infected by dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium douglasii) were analyzed over a 14-year period to evaluate whether mechanical pruning could eradicate mistletoe (or at least delay the onset of severe infection) without...

  13. Biological response of plantation cottonwood to spacing, pruning and thinning

    Treesearch

    R. J. Gascon; R. M. Krinard

    1976-01-01

    A literature review and a sampling of data obtained from cottonwood growers of the biological response of plantation-grown cottonwood trees to initial spacings in the Midsouth have indicated the following trends: as spacing increased, dbh increased, height of dominants not practically affected, total cubic volume decreased, basal area decreased, natural pruning...

  14. 7 CFR 993.104 - Lot.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... means any quantity of prunes delivered by one producer or one dehydrator to a handler on which... 30 “ton box” containers or (2), if in other containers, not more than 60,000 pounds of prunes. If the... production of one calendar day and packed during such day in one size and style of container or (ii) the...

  15. 7 CFR 993.104 - Lot.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... means any quantity of prunes delivered by one producer or one dehydrator to a handler on which... 30 “ton box” containers or (2), if in other containers, not more than 60,000 pounds of prunes. If the... production of one calendar day and packed during such day in one size and style of container or (ii) the...

  16. 7 CFR 993.104 - Lot.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... means any quantity of prunes delivered by one producer or one dehydrator to a handler on which... 30 “ton box” containers or (2), if in other containers, not more than 60,000 pounds of prunes. If the... production of one calendar day and packed during such day in one size and style of container or (ii) the...

  17. 7 CFR 993.58 - Deferment of time for withholding.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., and shall be in an amount computed by multiplying the pounds of natural condition prunes for which... shall be used by the committee to purchase from handlers a quantity of natural condition prunes, up to..., with reserve pool funds for distribution to equity holders. (3) If for any reason the committee is...

  18. 7 CFR 993.58 - Deferment of time for withholding.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ..., and shall be in an amount computed by multiplying the pounds of natural condition prunes for which... shall be used by the committee to purchase from handlers a quantity of natural condition prunes, up to..., with reserve pool funds for distribution to equity holders. (3) If for any reason the committee is...

  19. 7 CFR 993.108 - Non-human consumption outlet.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., that any prunes or prune waste received for a non-human use will be used only within such outlet. [26... 7 Agriculture 8 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Non-human consumption outlet. 993.108 Section 993.108... CALIFORNIA Administrative Rules and Regulations Definitions § 993.108 Non-human consumption outlet. Non-human...

  20. 7 CFR 993.108 - Non-human consumption outlet.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., that any prunes or prune waste received for a non-human use will be used only within such outlet. [26... 7 Agriculture 8 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Non-human consumption outlet. 993.108 Section 993.108... CALIFORNIA Administrative Rules and Regulations Definitions § 993.108 Non-human consumption outlet. Non-human...

  1. 7 CFR 51.1534 - Fairly well colored.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Fairly well colored. 51.1534 Section 51.1534... STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Plums and Prunes Definitions § 51.1534 Fairly well colored. “Fairly well colored,” as applied to Italian type prunes, means that at least three-fourths of...

  2. 7 CFR 51.1534 - Fairly well colored.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fairly well colored. 51.1534 Section 51.1534... STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Plums and Prunes Definitions § 51.1534 Fairly well colored. “Fairly well colored,” as applied to Italian type prunes, means that at least three-fourths of...

  3. 7 CFR 51.1534 - Fairly well colored.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Fairly well colored. 51.1534 Section 51.1534... STANDARDS) United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Plums and Prunes Definitions § 51.1534 Fairly well colored. “Fairly well colored,” as applied to Italian type prunes, means that at least three-fourths of...

  4. 7 CFR 51.1525 - Tolerances.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... port of loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or, in the case of shipments from outside the... than Italian type prunes en route or at destination. 12 percent for fruit which fails to meet the... amount not more than one-half of 1 percent for decay. (4) For defects of Italian type prunes en route or...

  5. 7 CFR 51.1525 - Tolerances.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... port of loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or, in the case of shipments from outside the... than Italian type prunes en route or at destination. 12 percent for fruit which fails to meet the... amount not more than one-half of 1 percent for decay. (4) For defects of Italian type prunes en route or...

  6. Identifying economic hurdles to early adoption of preventative practices: The case of trunk diseases in California winegrape vineyards

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Trunk diseases pose a serious threat to winegrape production. Despite the high likelihood of infection and the substantial yield losses from not managing trunk diseases, many practitioners routinely wait to adopt field-tested, preventative practices (delayed pruning, double pruning, application of p...

  7. 7 CFR 993.21b - Trade demand.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... domestic markets for human consumption as prunes and prune products. (b) Foreign trade demand. The quantity... 7 Agriculture 8 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Trade demand. 993.21b Section 993.21b Agriculture... Order Regulating Handling Definitions § 993.21b Trade demand. (a) Domestic trade demand. The quantity of...

  8. Performance comparisons between PCA-EA-LBG and PCA-LBG-EA approaches in VQ codebook generation for image compression

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsai, Jinn-Tsong; Chou, Ping-Yi; Chou, Jyh-Horng

    2015-11-01

    The aim of this study is to generate vector quantisation (VQ) codebooks by integrating principle component analysis (PCA) algorithm, Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) algorithm, and evolutionary algorithms (EAs). The EAs include genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimisation (PSO), honey bee mating optimisation (HBMO), and firefly algorithm (FF). The study is to provide performance comparisons between PCA-EA-LBG and PCA-LBG-EA approaches. The PCA-EA-LBG approaches contain PCA-GA-LBG, PCA-PSO-LBG, PCA-HBMO-LBG, and PCA-FF-LBG, while the PCA-LBG-EA approaches contain PCA-LBG, PCA-LBG-GA, PCA-LBG-PSO, PCA-LBG-HBMO, and PCA-LBG-FF. All training vectors of test images are grouped according to PCA. The PCA-EA-LBG used the vectors grouped by PCA as initial individuals, and the best solution gained by the EAs was given for LBG to discover a codebook. The PCA-LBG approach is to use the PCA to select vectors as initial individuals for LBG to find a codebook. The PCA-LBG-EA used the final result of PCA-LBG as an initial individual for EAs to find a codebook. The search schemes in PCA-EA-LBG first used global search and then applied local search skill, while in PCA-LBG-EA first used local search and then employed global search skill. The results verify that the PCA-EA-LBG indeed gain superior results compared to the PCA-LBG-EA, because the PCA-EA-LBG explores a global area to find a solution, and then exploits a better one from the local area of the solution. Furthermore the proposed PCA-EA-LBG approaches in designing VQ codebooks outperform existing approaches shown in the literature.

  9. On the use of inexact, pruned hardware in atmospheric modelling

    PubMed Central

    Düben, Peter D.; Joven, Jaume; Lingamneni, Avinash; McNamara, Hugh; De Micheli, Giovanni; Palem, Krishna V.; Palmer, T. N.

    2014-01-01

    Inexact hardware design, which advocates trading the accuracy of computations in exchange for significant savings in area, power and/or performance of computing hardware, has received increasing prominence in several error-tolerant application domains, particularly those involving perceptual or statistical end-users. In this paper, we evaluate inexact hardware for its applicability in weather and climate modelling. We expand previous studies on inexact techniques, in particular probabilistic pruning, to floating point arithmetic units and derive several simulated set-ups of pruned hardware with reasonable levels of error for applications in atmospheric modelling. The set-up is tested on the Lorenz ‘96 model, a toy model for atmospheric dynamics, using software emulation for the proposed hardware. The results show that large parts of the computation tolerate the use of pruned hardware blocks without major changes in the quality of short- and long-time diagnostics, such as forecast errors and probability density functions. This could open the door to significant savings in computational cost and to higher resolution simulations with weather and climate models. PMID:24842031

  10. Odor preference and olfactory memory are impaired in Olfaxin-deficient mice.

    PubMed

    Islam, Saiful; Ueda, Masashi; Nishida, Emika; Wang, Miao-Xing; Osawa, Masatake; Lee, Dongsoo; Itoh, Masanori; Nakagawa, Kiyomi; Tana; Nakagawa, Toshiyuki

    2018-06-01

    Olfaxin, which is a BNIP2 and Cdc42GAP homology (BCH) domain-containing protein, is predominantly expressed in mitral and tufted (M/T) cells in the olfactory bulb (OB). Olfaxin and Caytaxin, which share 56.3% amino acid identity, are similar in their glutamatergic terminal localization, kidney-type glutaminase (KGA) interaction, and caspase-3 substrate. Although the deletion of Caytaxin protein causes human Cayman ataxia and ataxia in the mutant mouse, the function of Olfaxin is largely unknown. In this study, we generated Prune2 gene mutant mice (Prune2 Ex16-/- ; knock out [KO] mice) using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, during which the exon 16 containing start codon of Olfaxin mRNA was deleted. Exon 16 has 80 nucleotides and is contained in four of five Prune2 isoforms, including PRUNE2, BMCC1, BNIPXL, and Olfaxin/BMCC1s. The levels of Olfaxin mRNA and Olfaxin protein in the OB and piriform cortex of KO mice significantly decreased. Although Prune2 mRNA also significantly decreased in the spinal cord, the gross anatomy of the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was intact. Further, disturbance of the sensory and motor system was not observed in KO mice. Therefore, in the current study, we examined the role of Olfaxin in the olfactory system where PRUNE2, BMCC1, and BNIPXL are scarcely expressed. Odor preference was impaired in KO mice using opposite-sex urinary scents as well as a non-social odor stimulus (almond). Results of the odor-aversion test demonstrated that odor-associative learning was disrupted in KO mice. Moreover, the NMDAR2A/NMDAR2B subunits switch in the piriform cortex was not observed in KO mice. These results indicated that Olfaxin may play a critical role in odor preference and olfactory memory. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Planting and care of fine hardwood seedlings: Fertilizing, pruning, and thinning

    Treesearch

    James McKenna; Keith Woeste

    2004-01-01

    This publication outlines the cultural operations of pruning, fertilizing, and thinning that can greatly enhance the timber value of a plantation. This summary is based on the findings of many individuals. While there are alternatives to many of the recommended practices and differences of opinion existing among professionals, our purpose is to give the landowner a...

  12. Scab severity in relation to hedge pruning pecan trees in the Southeastern USA

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Scab is the most damaging disease of pecan in the Southeastern USA. Pecan trees are tall (up to 30+ m), and managing disease in the upper canopy is problematic. Hedge pruning trees to ~12 m is being explored to facilitate efficacy of ground-based fungicide sprays, but resulting vigorous shoot growth...

  13. VC-dimension of univariate decision trees.

    PubMed

    Yildiz, Olcay Taner

    2015-02-01

    In this paper, we give and prove the lower bounds of the Vapnik-Chervonenkis (VC)-dimension of the univariate decision tree hypothesis class. The VC-dimension of the univariate decision tree depends on the VC-dimension values of its subtrees and the number of inputs. Via a search algorithm that calculates the VC-dimension of univariate decision trees exhaustively, we show that our VC-dimension bounds are tight for simple trees. To verify that the VC-dimension bounds are useful, we also use them to get VC-generalization bounds for complexity control using structural risk minimization in decision trees, i.e., pruning. Our simulation results show that structural risk minimization pruning using the VC-dimension bounds finds trees that are more accurate as those pruned using cross validation.

  14. The improved Apriori algorithm based on matrix pruning and weight analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lang, Zhenhong

    2018-04-01

    This paper uses the matrix compression algorithm and weight analysis algorithm for reference and proposes an improved matrix pruning and weight analysis Apriori algorithm. After the transactional database is scanned for only once, the algorithm will construct the boolean transaction matrix. Through the calculation of one figure in the rows and columns of the matrix, the infrequent item set is pruned, and a new candidate item set is formed. Then, the item's weight and the transaction's weight as well as the weight support for items are calculated, thus the frequent item sets are gained. The experimental result shows that the improved Apriori algorithm not only reduces the number of repeated scans of the database, but also improves the efficiency of data correlation mining.

  15. Nitrogen levels, top pruning, and lifting date affect nursery development and early field performance of loblolly pine seedlings

    Treesearch

    Paul P. Kormanik; Taryn L. Kormanik; Shi-Jean S. Sung; Stanley L Zarnoch

    1999-01-01

    Loblolly pine seedling nursery development and 3-year field performance were contrasted between two nitrogen (N) application regimes and comparable top pruning regimes. Other initial soil nutritional elements were comparable, but high N seedlings received 150 lb/acre N (as NH4NO3) and low N seedlings received half this...

  16. Silvicultural potential for pre-comercial treatment in northern forest type

    Treesearch

    H. W.,Jr Hocker

    1977-01-01

    It is proposed that pre-commercial thinning of young northern hardwood, oak, white pine and spruce-fir stands be carried out using appropriate stocking guides to regulate stand density. Thinning should be carried out when stands are-between 1" and 2" dbh. Pruning of eastern white pine is recommended, while pruning of spruce and yellow birch seems feasible,...

  17. Factitious diarrhea

    PubMed Central

    Saibil, F. G.

    1974-01-01

    The causes of diarrhea are legion. In any diagnostic problem a factitious etiology must be carefully considered. Three cases are presented, in two of which daily ingestion of prunes and prune juice was found to be the cause of chronic diarrhea. In the third case an edible oil product, Coffee Rich, was determined by dietary manipulation to be the cause, carrageenan possibly being the laxative principle. PMID:4429937

  18. Factitious diarrhea.

    PubMed

    Saibil, F G

    1974-11-16

    The causes of diarrhea are legion. In any diagnostic problem a factitious etiology must be carefully considered. Three cases are presented, in two of which daily ingestion of prunes and prune juice was found to be the cause of chronic diarrhea. In the third case an edible oil product, Coffee Rich, was determined by dietary manipulation to be the cause, carrageenan possibly being the laxative principle.

  19. Severity of scab and its effects on fruit weight in mechanically hedge-pruned and topped pecan trees

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Scab is the most damaging disease of pecan in the southeastern USA. Pecan trees can attain 44 m in height, so managing disease in the upper canopy is a problem. Fungicide is ordinarily applied using ground-based air-blast sprayers. Although mechanical hedge-pruning and topping of pecan is done for s...

  20. Air lateral root pruning affects longleaf pine seedling root system morphology

    Treesearch

    Shi-Jean Susana Sung; Dave Haywood

    2016-01-01

    Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) seedlings were cultured with air lateral root pruning (side-vented containers, VT) or without (solid-walled containers, SW). Seedling root system morphology and growth were assessed before planting and 8 and 14 months after planting. Although VT seedlings had greater root collar diameter than the SW before planting,...

  1. Long-Term Container Effects on Root System Architecture of Longleaf Pine

    Treesearch

    Shi-Jean S. Sung; James D. Haywood; Stanley J. Zarnoch; Mary Anne Sword Sayer

    2009-01-01

    Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) seedlings cultured in three container cavity volumes and two cavity types (regular or copper oxychloride coating for root pruning) were excavated three years after planting in 2007 in Louisiana, U.S.A. Copper root pruning did not affect seedling growth. Seedlings from small cavities (60 ml) were smaller than those from medium (93...

  2. Carbon footprint associated with four disposal scenarios for urban pruning waste.

    PubMed

    Araújo, Yuri Rommel Vieira; de Góis, Monijany Lins; Junior, Luiz Moreira Coelho; Carvalho, Monica

    2018-01-01

    The inadequate disposal of urban pruning residues can cause significant environmental impacts. The objective of the study presented herein was to quantify the carbon footprint and analyze four disposal scenarios for the urban pruning waste of the city of Joao Pessoa (Northeast Brazil). Software SimaPro was utilized for the quantification of the carbon footprint, with the IPCC 2013 GWP 100y impact evaluation method. The end-of-life treatments considered were sanitary landfilling (with and without collection of methane), simple municipal incineration, and reutilization of wood (transformation into briquettes). The results indicated that simple disposal in sanitary landfill generated 136.34 kg CO 2 /t urban pruning waste collected (highest carbon footprint), sanitary landfill with methane collection emitted 113.43 kg CO 2 /t waste, municipal incineration generated 71.31 kg CO 2 /t waste, and reutilization of woody residues was the scenario with the lowest carbon footprint, with 27.82 kg CO 2 /t waste. This study demonstrated that reutilization of biomass, besides being environmentally viable, presents the potential to contribute to the city's environmental quality, including the possibility of being used to obtain carbon credits.

  3. Effectiveness of Natural Antifungal Compounds in Controlling Infection by Grapevine Trunk Disease Pathogens through Pruning Wounds

    PubMed Central

    Cobos, Rebeca; Mateos, Rosa María; Álvarez-Pérez, José Manuel; Olego, Miguel Angel; Sevillano, Silvia; González-García, Sandra; Garzón-Jimeno, Enrique

    2015-01-01

    Grapevine trunk fungal pathogens, such as Diplodia seriata and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, can infect plants through pruning wounds. They cause grapevine trunk diseases and are involved in grapevine decline. Accordingly, the protection of pruning wounds is crucial for the management of grapevine trunk diseases. The efficacy of different natural antifungals in inhibiting the growth of several fungi causing grapevine trunk diseases was evaluated in vitro. The fungi showing greater in vitro efficacy were tested on autoclaved grape wood assays against D. seriata and P. chlamydospora. Based on results from these assays, chitosan oligosaccharide, vanillin, and garlic extract were selected for further evaluation on pruning wounds inoculated with D. seriata and P. chlamydospora in field trials. A significant decrease in plant mortality was observed after 2 years of growth in the plants treated with the different natural antifungals compared to the mortality rate observed in infected plants that were not treated with antifungals. Also, the infection rate for the inoculated pathogens was significantly reduced in plants treated with the selected natural antifungals. Therefore, natural antifungals represent a promising alternative for disease control and could provide significant economic benefits for the grape-growing industry. PMID:26162882

  4. Bigger is better and worse: on the intricate relationship between hippocampal size and memory.

    PubMed

    Molnár, Katalin; Kéri, Szabolcs

    2014-04-01

    The structure-function relationship between the hippocampal region and memory is a debated topic in the literature. It has been suggested that larger hippocampi are associated with less effective memory performance in healthy young adults because of a partial synaptic pruning. Here, we tested this hypothesis in individuals with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) with known abnormal pruning and IQ- and age-matched individuals with hypoxic brain injury, preterm birth, and obstetric complications. Results revealed larger normalized hippocampal volume in FXS compared with neurotypical controls, whereas individuals with hypoxic injury had smaller hippocampi. In neurotypical controls and individuals with hypoxic injury, better general memory, as indexed by the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, was associated with larger hippocampus. In contrast, in FXS we observed the opposite relationship: larger hippocampus was associated with worse general memory. Caudate volume did not correlate with memory in either group. These results suggest that incomplete pruning in young healthy adults may not contribute to less efficient memory capacity, and hippocampal size is positively associated with memory performance. However, abnormally large and poorly pruned hippocampus may indeed be less effective in FXS. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Liquid Hot Water Pretreatment of Olive Tree Pruning Residues

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cara, Cristóbal; Romero, Inmaculada; Oliva, Jose Miguel; Sáez, Felicia; Castro, Eulogio

    Olive tree pruning generates an abundant, renewable lignocellulose residue, which is usually burnt on fields to prevent propagation of vegetal diseases, causing economic costs and environmental concerns. As a first step in an alternative use to produce fuel ethanol, this work is aimed to study the pretreatment of olive tree pruning residues by liquid hot water. Pretreatment was carried out at seven temperature levels in the range 170-230°C for 10 or 60 min. Sugar recoveries in both solid and liquid fractions resulting from pretreatment as well as enzymatic hydrolysis yield of the solid were used to evaluate pretreatment performance. Results show that the enzyme accessibility of cellulose in the pretreated solid fraction increased with pretreatment time and temperature, although sugar degradation in the liquid fraction was concomitantly higher.

  6. Evaluation of Mediterranean Agricultural Residues as a Potential Feedstock for the Production of Biogas via Anaerobic Fermentation.

    PubMed

    Nitsos, Christos; Matsakas, Leonidas; Triantafyllidis, Kostas; Rova, Ulrika; Christakopoulos, Paul

    2015-01-01

    Hydrothermal, dilute acid, and steam explosion pretreatment methods, were evaluated for their efficiency to improve the methane production yield of three Mediterranean agricultural lignocellulosic residues such as olive tree pruning, grapevine pruning, and almond shells. Hydrothermal and dilute acid pretreatments provided low to moderate increase in the digestibility of the biomass samples, whereas steam explosion enabled the highest methane yields to be achieved for almond shells at 232.2 ± 13.0 mL CH4/gVS and olive pruning at 315.4 ± 0.0 mL CH4/gVS. Introduction of an enzymatic prehydrolysis step moderately improved methane yields for hydrothermal and dilute acid pretreated samples but not for the steam exploded ones.

  7. Evaluation of Mediterranean Agricultural Residues as a Potential Feedstock for the Production of Biogas via Anaerobic Fermentation

    PubMed Central

    Nitsos, Christos; Triantafyllidis, Kostas

    2015-01-01

    Hydrothermal, dilute acid, and steam explosion pretreatment methods, were evaluated for their efficiency to improve the methane production yield of three Mediterranean agricultural lignocellulosic residues such as olive tree pruning, grapevine pruning, and almond shells. Hydrothermal and dilute acid pretreatments provided low to moderate increase in the digestibility of the biomass samples, whereas steam explosion enabled the highest methane yields to be achieved for almond shells at 232.2 ± 13.0 mL CH4/gVS and olive pruning at 315.4 ± 0.0 mL CH4/gVS. Introduction of an enzymatic prehydrolysis step moderately improved methane yields for hydrothermal and dilute acid pretreated samples but not for the steam exploded ones. PMID:26609521

  8. Effects of different rates of olive pruning residues on soil moisture and organic carbon in superintensive olive orchards: a study case in Southern Spain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marín-Moreno, Víctor; Castillo Amaro, M.; Barranco, Diego; Cerdá, Artemi; Cobacho, J. Antonio; García-Ferrer, Alfonso; Mateos, Luciano; Mesas, F. Javier; Díez, Concepción M.; Pérez, Rafael; Quero, José L.; Serio, M. Angela; Taguas, Encarnación V.

    2017-04-01

    Pruning residues of olive orchards improve soil fertility and protect soil against water erosion (Repullo et al., 2012; Prosdocimi et al., 2016). Because of the high transport cost of the pruning waste and despite the risk of the transmission of some diseases (such as verticillium wilt), leaving the chopped residues on the ground is becoming a common practice in the Andalusian olive groves, particularly in super-intensive orchards (>1500 trees/ha) (Calatrava and Franco, 2011). However, there is little quantitative information describing the effects of this practice on soil moisture and organic matter. The objectives of this study are, firstly, the determination of the amount of residues that effectively improve soil moisture, bulk density and organic carbon, and, secondly, the assessment of the residue decomposition rates for our experimental Mediterranean conditions. The experiment consists of 4 treatments (with 5 replicates of 6 x 2 m plots) where fresh pruning residues were applied at rates equivalent to 0.0 t/ha (control), 7.5 t/ha, 15.0 t/ha and 30.0 t/ha. Gravimetric soil moisture at the first 10-cm-horizon was measured approximately every 45 days. Organic carbon and bulk density were determined at the end of the campaign for the first 10-cm-horizon. The characteristics of pruning residues (composition in term of leaves, fine twigs, branches and moisture) and their decomposition rate were determined through of the analysis of moisture loss. A thermographic camera was used to measure the temperature of the plot surface and its variability (bare soil and over/under residue layer) among and within the plots. Preliminary results corresponding to the first campaign 2016-2017 are presented. REFERENCES: J. Calatrava, J.A. Franco. 2011. Using pruning residues as mulch: Analysis of its adoption and process of diffusion in Southern Spain olive orchards. Journal of Environmental Management 92, 620-629. M. Prosdocimi, P. Tarolli, A. Cerdà. 2016. Mulching practices for reducing soil water erosion: A review. Earth-Science Reviews 161, 191-203. M.A. Repullo , R. Carbonell, J. Hidalgo, A. Rodríguez-Lizana, R. Ordóñez. 2012. Using olive pruning residues to cover soil and improve fertility. Soil & Tillage Research 124, 36-46. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This study was supported by the project CGL2015-64284-C2-2-R (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness).

  9. To prune or not to prune: responses of coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia to canopy retention during transplanting

    Treesearch

    Rosi Dagit; A. James Downer

    2002-01-01

    A total of 62 coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) were monitored since they were initially boxed for transplantation in 1993. At that time, only branches injured during the moving process and deadwood were removed, leaving the entire canopy intact. This was a departure from the usual transplanting methodology that traditionally removes up to 70...

  10. Development of epicormic sprouts in Sitka spruce following thinning and pruning in south-east Alaska.

    Treesearch

    Robert L. Deal; R. James Barbour; Michael H. McClellan; Dean L. Parry

    2003-01-01

    The frequency and size of epicormic sprouts in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) were assessed in five 23-29 year-old mixed Sitka spruce-western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) stands that were uniformly thinned and pruned to 2.4, 3.7 and 5.2 m lift heights. Six to nine years after treatment sprouts were...

  11. The longest active thinned and pruned loblolly pine permanent plots: the last measurement

    Treesearch

    Denise R. General; Curtis L. VanderSchaaf; B. Zeide

    2013-01-01

    The longest active study of the effects of thinning and pruning on growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) was established by Dr. James D. Burton in 1970 in a typical 12-year-old loblolly pine (plantation was 11 years old) stand planted by then the Georgia-Pacific Corporation in the southeastern corner of Arkansas. Basal area has been maintained at...

  12. Impact of Early Pruning and Thinning on Lumber Grade Yield From Loblolly Pine

    Treesearch

    Alexander Clark; Mike Strub; Larry R. Anderson; H. Gwynne Lloyd; Richard F. Daniels; James H. Scarborough

    2004-01-01

    The Sudden Sawlog Study was established in 1954 near Crossett, AR, in a 9-year-old loblolly pine plantation to test the hypothesis that loblolly plantations can produce sawtimber in 30 years. To stimulate diameter and height growth and clear wood production, study plots were heavily thinned, trees pruned to 33 feet by age 24 years, under-story mowed, and growth of...

  13. Wood quality for longleaf pines: a spacing, thinning and pruning study on the Kisatchie National Forest

    Treesearch

    Chi-Leung So; Thomas L. Eberhardt; Daniel J. Leduc; Leslie H. Groom; Jeffery C. G. Goelz

    2010-01-01

    Twenty 70-year-old longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) trees were harvested from a spacing, thinning, and pruning study on the Kisatchie National Forest, LA. Tree property mapping was used to show the property variation within and between three of the trees. The construction of such maps is both time consuming and cost prohibitive using traditional...

  14. Temporal relation between neural activity and neurite pruning on a numerical model and a microchannel device with micro electrode array.

    PubMed

    Kondo, Yohei; Yada, Yuichiro; Haga, Tatsuya; Takayama, Yuzo; Isomura, Takuya; Jimbo, Yasuhiko; Fukayama, Osamu; Hoshino, Takayuki; Mabuchi, Kunihiko

    2017-04-29

    Synapse elimination and neurite pruning are essential processes for the formation of neuronal circuits. These regressive events depend on neural activity and occur in the early postnatal days known as the critical period, but what makes this temporal specificity is not well understood. One possibility is that the neural activities during the developmentally regulated shift of action of GABA inhibitory transmission lead to the critical period. Moreover, it has been reported that the shifting action of the inhibitory transmission on immature neurons overlaps with synapse elimination and neurite pruning and that increased inhibitory transmission by drug treatment could induce temporal shift of the critical period. However, the relationship among these phenomena remains unclear because it is difficult to experimentally show how the developmental shift of inhibitory transmission influences neural activities and whether the activities promote synapse elimination and neurite pruning. In this study, we modeled synapse elimination in neuronal circuits using the modified Izhikevich's model with functional shifting of GABAergic transmission. The simulation results show that synaptic pruning within a specified period like the critical period is spontaneously generated as a function of the developmentally shifting inhibitory transmission and that the specific firing rate and increasing synchronization of neural circuits are seen at the initial stage of the critical period. This temporal relationship was experimentally supported by an in vitro primary culture of rat cortical neurons in a microchannel on a multi-electrode array (MEA). The firing rate decreased remarkably between the 18-25 days in vitro (DIV), and following these changes in the firing rate, the neurite density was slightly reduced. Our simulation and experimental results suggest that decreasing neural activity due to developing inhibitory synaptic transmission could induce synapse elimination and neurite pruning at particular time such as the critical period. Additionally, these findings indicate that we can estimate the maturity level of inhibitory transmission and the critical period by measuring the firing rate and the degree of synchronization in engineered neural networks. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Behavior of the PCA3 gene in the urine of men with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

    PubMed

    Morote, Juan; Rigau, Marina; Garcia, Marta; Mir, Carmen; Ballesteros, Carlos; Planas, Jacques; Raventós, Carles X; Placer, José; de Torres, Inés M; Reventós, Jaume; Doll, Andreas

    2010-12-01

    An ideal marker for the early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) should also differentiate between men with isolated high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and those with PCa. Prostate Cancer Gene 3 (PCA3) is a highly specific PCa gene and its score, in relation to the PSA gene in post-prostate massage urine (PMU-PCA3), seems to be useful in ruling out PCa, especially after a negative prostate biopsy. Because PCA3 is also expressed in the HGPIN lesion, the aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of PMU-PCA3 scores for ruling out PCa in men with previous HGPIN. The PMU-PCA3 score was assessed by quantitative PCR (multiplex research assay) in 244 men subjected to prostate biopsy: 64 men with an isolated HGPIN (no cancer detected after two or more repeated biopsies), 83 men with PCa and 97 men with benign pathology findings (BP: no PCa, HGPIN or ASAP). The median PMU-PCA3 score was 1.56 in men with BP, 2.01 in men with HGPIN (p = 0.128) and 9.06 in men with PCa (p = 0.008). The AUC in the ROC analysis was 0.705 in the subset of men with BP and PCa, while it decreased to 0.629 when only men with isolated HGPIN and PCa were included in the analysis. Fixing the sensitivity of the PMU-PCA3 score at 90%, its specificity was 79% in men with BP and 69% in men with isolated HGPIN. The efficacy of the PMU-PCA3 score to rule out PCa in men with HGPIN is lower than in men with BP.

  16. Canopy and leaf composition drive patterns of nutrient release from pruning residues in a coffee agroforest.

    PubMed

    Tully, Katherine L; Lawrence, Deborah

    2012-06-01

    In a coffee agroforest, the crop is cultivated under the shade of fruit-bearing and nitrogen (N)-fixing trees. These trees are periodically pruned to promote flowering and fruiting as well as to make nutrients stored in tree biomass available to plants. We investigated the effect of canopy composition and substrate quality on decomposition rates and patterns of nutrient release from pruning residues in a coffee agroforest located in Costa Rica's Central Valley. Initial phosphorus (P) release was enhanced under a canopy composed solely of N-fixing, Erythrina poeppigiana compared to a mixed canopy of Erythrina and Musa acuminata (banana). Both initial and final N release were similar under the two canopy types. However, after five months of decomposition, a higher proportion of initial N had been released under the single canopy. Although patterns of decomposition and nutrient release were not predicted by initial substrate quality, mass loss in leaf mixtures rates were well predicted by mean mass loss of their component species. This study identifies specific pruning regimes that may regulate N and P release during crucial growth periods, and it suggests that strategic pruning can enhance nutrient availability. For example, during the onset of rapid fruit growth, a two-species mixture may release more P than a three-species mixture. However, by the time of the harvest, the two- and three-species mixtures have released roughly the same amount of N and P. These nutrients do not always follow the same pattern, as N release can be maximized in single-species substrates, while P release is often facilitated in species mixtures. Our study indicates the importance of management practices in mediating patterns of nutrient release. Future research should investigate how canopy composition and farm management can also mediate on-farm nutrient losses.

  17. Trunk kinematics and low back pain during pruning among vineyard workers—A field study at the Chateau Larose-Trintaudon

    PubMed Central

    Balaguier, Romain; Madeleine, Pascal; Rose-Dulcina, Kévin; Vuillerme, Nicolas

    2017-01-01

    The prevalence of low back disorders is dramatically high in viticulture. Field measurements that objectively quantify work exposure can provide information on the relationship between the adopted trunk postures and low back pain. The purposes of the present study were three-fold (1) to carry out a kinematics analysis of vineyard-workers’ pruning activity by extracting the duration of bending and rotation of the trunk, (2) to question separately the relationship between the duration of forward bending or trunk rotation with low back pain intensity and pressure pain sensitivity and (3) to question the relationship between the combined duration of forward bending and trunk rotation on low back pain intensity and pressure pain sensitivity. Fifteen vineyard-workers were asked to perform pruning activity for 12 minutes with a wireless triaxial accelerometer placed on their trunk. Kinematic analysis of the trunk showed that vineyard-workers spent more than 50% of the time with the trunk flexed greater than 30° and more than 20% with the trunk rotated greater than 10°. These results show that pruning activity lead to the adoption of forward bended and rotated trunk postures that could significantly increase the risk of work related musculoskeletal disorders in the low back. However, this result was mitigated by the observation of an absence of significant association between the duration of forward bending and trunk rotation with low back pain intensity or pressure pain sensitivity. Even if prospective field measurements and studies assessing the effects of low back pain confounders are needed, this field study provides new genuine information on trunk kinematics during pruning activity. PMID:28384277

  18. Phenology, growth and physiological adjustments of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) to sink limitation induced by fruit pruning

    PubMed Central

    Legros, S.; Mialet-Serra, I.; Caliman, J.-P.; Siregar, F. A.; Clement-Vidal, A.; Fabre, D.; Dingkuhn, M.

    2009-01-01

    Background and Aims Despite its simple architecture and small phenotypic plasticity, oil palm has complex phenology and source–sink interactions. Phytomers appear in regular succession but their development takes years, involving long lag periods between environmental influences and their effects on sinks. Plant adjustments to resulting source–sink imbalances are poorly understood. This study investigated oil palm adjustments to imbalances caused by severe fruit pruning. Methods An experiment with two treatments (control and complete fruit pruning) during 22 months in 2006–2008) and six replications per treatment was conducted in Indonesia. Phenology, growth of above-ground vegetative and reproductive organs, leaf morphology, inflorescence sex differentiation, dynamics of non-structural carbohydrate reserves and light-saturated net photosynthesis (Amax) were monitored. Key Results Artificial sink limitation by complete fruit pruning accelerated development rate, resulting in higher phytomer, leaf and inflorescence numbers. Leaf size and morphology remained unchanged. Complete fruit pruning also suppressed the abortion of male inflorescences, estimated to be triggered at about 16 months before bunch maturity. The number of female inflorescences increased after an estimated lag of 24–26 months, corresponding to time from sex differentiation to bunch maturity. The most important adjustment process was increased assimilate storage in the stem, attaining nearly 50 % of dry weight in the stem top, mainly as starch, whereas glucose, which in controls was the most abundant non-structural carbohydrate stored in oil palm, decreased. Conclusions The development rate of oil palm is in part controlled by source–sink relationships. Although increased rate of development and proportion of female inflorescences constituted observed adjustments to sink limitation, the low plasticity of plant architecture (constant leaf size, absence of branching) limited compensatory growth. Non-structural carbohydrate storage was thus the main adjustment process. PMID:19748908

  19. Topological Galleries: A High Level User Interface for Topology Controlled Volume Rendering

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    MacCarthy, Brian; Carr, Hamish; Weber, Gunther H.

    2011-06-30

    Existing topological interfaces to volume rendering are limited by their reliance on sophisticated knowledge of topology by the user. We extend previous work by describing topological galleries, an interface for novice users that is based on the design galleries approach. We report three contributions: an interface based on hierarchical thumbnail galleries to display the containment relationships between topologically identifiable features, the use of the pruning hierarchy instead of branch decomposition for contour tree simplification, and drag-and-drop transfer function assignment for individual components. Initial results suggest that this approach suffers from limitations due to rapid drop-off of feature size in themore » pruning hierarchy. We explore these limitations by providing statistics of feature size as function of depth in the pruning hierarchy of the contour tree.« less

  20. Practical training framework for fitting a function and its derivatives.

    PubMed

    Pukrittayakamee, Arjpolson; Hagan, Martin; Raff, Lionel; Bukkapatnam, Satish T S; Komanduri, Ranga

    2011-06-01

    This paper describes a practical framework for using multilayer feedforward neural networks to simultaneously fit both a function and its first derivatives. This framework involves two steps. The first step is to train the network to optimize a performance index, which includes both the error in fitting the function and the error in fitting the derivatives. The second step is to prune the network by removing neurons that cause overfitting and then to retrain it. This paper describes two novel types of overfitting that are only observed when simultaneously fitting both a function and its first derivatives. A new pruning algorithm is proposed to eliminate these types of overfitting. Experimental results show that the pruning algorithm successfully eliminates the overfitting and produces the smoothest responses and the best generalization among all the training algorithms that we have tested.

  1. Worldwide Report, Environmental Quality, No. 401

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-06-14

    will consist of prunings , removal of withered trees and replacement with full-grown trees, and fixing the landscaping with the planting of bushes...percent of the country’s cacao, coffee and henequen, meaning that their preservation and development are vitally important. Nevertheless, for...who has dumped prune mash into a brook. 28 "Whether or not an offense is prosecuted," the two lawyers state, "depends on the visibility of the

  2. Impact of pruning intensity on growth of young loblolly pine trees: some early results

    Treesearch

    Ralph L. Amateis; Harold E. Burkhart

    2010-01-01

    In the spring of 2000, a designed experiment was established to study the effects of pruning intensity on the growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees. Trees were planted at a 1.83 by 1.83 m square spacing in plots of eight rows with eight trees per row; the inner 36 trees constituted the measurement plot. Four blocks containing five treatment...

  3. Cavity size and copper root pruning affect production and establishment of container-grown longleaf pine seedlings

    Treesearch

    Marry Anne Sword Sayer; James D. Haywood; Shi-Jean Susana Sung

    2009-01-01

    With six container types, we tested the effects of cavity size (i.e., 60, 93, and 170 ml) and copper root pruning on the root system development of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) seedlings grown in a greenhouse. We then evaluated root egress during a root growth potential test and assessed seedling morphology and root system development 1 year after planting in...

  4. Growth following pruning of young loblolly pine trees: some early results

    Treesearch

    Ralph L. Amateis; Harold E. Burkhart

    2006-01-01

    In the spring of 2000, a designed experiment was established to study the effects of pruning on juvenile loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) tree growth and the subsequent formation of mature wood. Trees were planted at a 3 m x 3 m square spacing in plots of 6 rows with 6 trees per row, with the inner 16 trees constituting the measurement plot. Among the...

  5. Short-Sighted Probabilistic Planning

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-08-01

    2005). The 1st Probabilistic Track of the International Planning Competition. Journal of Artificial Intelli - gence Research, 24(1):851–887. [Zhou and...A short-sighted problem is a relaxed problem in which the state space of the original problem is pruned and artificial goals are added to...A short-sighted problem is a relaxed problem in which the state space of the original problem is pruned and artificial goals are added to heuris

  6. Automatic extraction of numeric strings in unconstrained handwritten document images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Haji, M. Mehdi; Bui, Tien D.; Suen, Ching Y.

    2011-01-01

    Numeric strings such as identification numbers carry vital pieces of information in documents. In this paper, we present a novel algorithm for automatic extraction of numeric strings in unconstrained handwritten document images. The algorithm has two main phases: pruning and verification. In the pruning phase, the algorithm first performs a new segment-merge procedure on each text line, and then using a new regularity measure, it prunes all sequences of characters that are unlikely to be numeric strings. The segment-merge procedure is composed of two modules: a new explicit character segmentation algorithm which is based on analysis of skeletal graphs and a merging algorithm which is based on graph partitioning. All the candidate sequences that pass the pruning phase are sent to a recognition-based verification phase for the final decision. The recognition is based on a coarse-to-fine approach using probabilistic RBF networks. We developed our algorithm for the processing of real-world documents where letters and digits may be connected or broken in a document. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is shown by extensive experiments done on a real-world database of 607 documents which contains handwritten, machine-printed and mixed documents with different types of layouts and levels of noise.

  7. Arthropods vector grapevine trunk disease pathogens.

    PubMed

    Moyo, P; Allsopp, E; Roets, F; Mostert, L; Halleen, F

    2014-10-01

    Arthropod-mediated dispersal of pathogens is known in many cropping systems but has never been demonstrated for grapevine trunk disease pathogens. Arthropods from vineyards were screened for the presence of pathogens associated with Petri disease and esca using cultural and molecular techniques. The ability of the most abundant pathogen-carrying species to inoculate healthy grapevine vascular tissues was also determined. Millipedes and ants were allowed to associate with a DsRed- Express-transformed Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, after which they were exposed to freshly pruned healthy grapevines under controlled conditions and wounds were monitored for subsequent infection. In addition, the possibility of millipede excreta, commonly found on pruning wounds in the field, to act as inoculum source was determined. A diverse arthropod fauna was associated with declining grapevines and many of these carried trunk disease pathogens. However, spiders, the ant Crematogaster peringueyi, and the millipede Ommattoiulus moreleti were the most abundant pathogen carriers. The ant and millipede species fed on pruning wound sap and effectively transmitted trunk disease pathogens. Millipede excreta contained viable spores of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and may serve as an inoculum source. Numerous arthropods, including beneficial predators, are potential vectors of grapevine trunk disease pathogens. Our results highlight the need for an integrated approach, including targeted management of ants and millipedes at the time of pruning, to limit the spread of grapevine trunk diseases.

  8. Combustion of a Pb(II)-loaded olive tree pruning used as biosorbent.

    PubMed

    Ronda, A; Della Zassa, M; Martín-Lara, M A; Calero, M; Canu, P

    2016-05-05

    The olive tree pruning is a specific agroindustrial waste that can be successfully used as adsorbent, to remove Pb(II) from contaminated wastewater. Its final incineration has been studied in a thermobalance and in a laboratory flow reactor. The study aims at evaluating the fate of Pb during combustion, at two different scales of investigation. The flow reactor can treat samples approximately 10(2) larger than the conventional TGA. A detailed characterization of the raw and Pb(II)-loaded waste, before and after combustion is presented, including analysis of gas and solids products. The Pb(II)-loaded olive tree pruning has been prepared by a previous biosorption step in a lead solution, reaching a concentration of lead of 2.3 wt%. Several characterizations of the ashes and the mass balances proved that after the combustion, all the lead presents in the waste remained in ashes. Combustion in a flow reactor produced results consistent with those obtained in the thermobalance. It is thus confirmed that the combustion of Pb(II)-loaded olive tree pruning is a viable option to use it after the biosorption process. The Pb contained in the solid remained in the ashes, preventing possible environmental hazards. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Effects of pruning intensity on jujube transpiration and soil moisture of plantation in the Loess Plateau

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nie, Zhenyi; Wang, Xing; Wang, Youke; Ma, Jianpeng; Wei, Xinguang; Chen, Dianyu

    2017-01-01

    In order to ease soil desiccation and prevent ecological deterioration in the Loess Plateau, where jujube (Zizyphus jujube MIll) is widely cultivated as a drought tolerant plant, four pruning intensities (PI), from PI-1 (light) to PI-4 (heavy) were set up based on total length of secondary branches to study the effects of pruning on transpiration and soil moisture in jujube plantations. Furthermore, growth indexes were regularly monitored to estimate jujubes biomass. Sap flow, meteorological and soil moisture conditions were monitored using thermal dissipation probes (TDP), weather station (RR-9100) and the combination of time domain transmission (TDT) technology and neutron moisture gauges (CNC503B), respectively. The results showed that daily actual transpiration of jujube was positively correlated with leaf biomass. Compared with PI-1, jujube transpiration during growth period under PI-2, PI-3, and PI-4 dropped by 11.1%, 29.2%, and 47.9%, respectively. On the contrary, annual water storage under PI-2, PI-3, and PI-4 increased by 6.29 mm, 25.78 mm and 34.74 mm while water use efficiency increased by 5.1%, 15.7% and 24.2%, respectively. Overall, increase in pruning intensity could significantly reduce water consumption of jujube and improve soil moisture in jujube plantations.

  10. A DATA-DRIVEN MODEL FOR SPECTRA: FINDING DOUBLE REDSHIFTS IN THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tsalmantza, P.; Hogg, David W., E-mail: vivitsal@mpia.de

    2012-07-10

    We present a data-driven method-heteroscedastic matrix factorization, a kind of probabilistic factor analysis-for modeling or performing dimensionality reduction on observed spectra or other high-dimensional data with known but non-uniform observational uncertainties. The method uses an iterative inverse-variance-weighted least-squares minimization procedure to generate a best set of basis functions. The method is similar to principal components analysis (PCA), but with the substantial advantage that it uses measurement uncertainties in a responsible way and accounts naturally for poorly measured and missing data; it models the variance in the noise-deconvolved data space. A regularization can be applied, in the form of a smoothnessmore » prior (inspired by Gaussian processes) or a non-negative constraint, without making the method prohibitively slow. Because the method optimizes a justified scalar (related to the likelihood), the basis provides a better fit to the data in a probabilistic sense than any PCA basis. We test the method on Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectra, concentrating on spectra known to contain two redshift components: these are spectra of gravitational lens candidates and massive black hole binaries. We apply a hypothesis test to compare one-redshift and two-redshift models for these spectra, utilizing the data-driven model trained on a random subset of all SDSS spectra. This test confirms 129 of the 131 lens candidates in our sample and all of the known binary candidates, and turns up very few false positives.« less

  11. Optimisation of a machine learning algorithm in human locomotion using principal component and discriminant function analyses.

    PubMed

    Bisele, Maria; Bencsik, Martin; Lewis, Martin G C; Barnett, Cleveland T

    2017-01-01

    Assessment methods in human locomotion often involve the description of normalised graphical profiles and/or the extraction of discrete variables. Whilst useful, these approaches may not represent the full complexity of gait data. Multivariate statistical methods, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA), have been adopted since they have the potential to overcome these data handling issues. The aim of the current study was to develop and optimise a specific machine learning algorithm for processing human locomotion data. Twenty participants ran at a self-selected speed across a 15m runway in barefoot and shod conditions. Ground reaction forces (BW) and kinematics were measured at 1000 Hz and 100 Hz, respectively from which joint angles (°), joint moments (N.m.kg-1) and joint powers (W.kg-1) for the hip, knee and ankle joints were calculated in all three anatomical planes. Using PCA and DFA, power spectra of the kinematic and kinetic variables were used as a training database for the development of a machine learning algorithm. All possible combinations of 10 out of 20 participants were explored to find the iteration of individuals that would optimise the machine learning algorithm. The results showed that the algorithm was able to successfully predict whether a participant ran shod or barefoot in 93.5% of cases. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to optimise the development of a machine learning algorithm.

  12. Optimisation of a machine learning algorithm in human locomotion using principal component and discriminant function analyses

    PubMed Central

    Bisele, Maria; Bencsik, Martin; Lewis, Martin G. C.

    2017-01-01

    Assessment methods in human locomotion often involve the description of normalised graphical profiles and/or the extraction of discrete variables. Whilst useful, these approaches may not represent the full complexity of gait data. Multivariate statistical methods, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA), have been adopted since they have the potential to overcome these data handling issues. The aim of the current study was to develop and optimise a specific machine learning algorithm for processing human locomotion data. Twenty participants ran at a self-selected speed across a 15m runway in barefoot and shod conditions. Ground reaction forces (BW) and kinematics were measured at 1000 Hz and 100 Hz, respectively from which joint angles (°), joint moments (N.m.kg-1) and joint powers (W.kg-1) for the hip, knee and ankle joints were calculated in all three anatomical planes. Using PCA and DFA, power spectra of the kinematic and kinetic variables were used as a training database for the development of a machine learning algorithm. All possible combinations of 10 out of 20 participants were explored to find the iteration of individuals that would optimise the machine learning algorithm. The results showed that the algorithm was able to successfully predict whether a participant ran shod or barefoot in 93.5% of cases. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to optimise the development of a machine learning algorithm. PMID:28886059

  13. PCA-based SO2, NO2, and HCHO retrievals from GeoTASO airborne measurements during KORUS-AQ 2016 campaign

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chong, H.; Lee, S.; Jeong, U.; Kim, J.; Li, C.; Krotkov, N. A.; Al-Saadi, J. A.; Janz, S. J.; Kowalewski, M. G.; Nowlan, C. R.; Kang, M.; Joiner, J.; Haffner, D. P.; Koo, J. H.; Hong, H.; Lee, H.

    2017-12-01

    The Geostationary Trace gas and Aerosol Sensor Optimization (GeoTASO) is an airborne instrument measuring backscattered radiance with a spectrometer covering the spectral range between 290-695 nm. GeoTASO flew on the B-200 (UC-12B) - LARC aircraft during the KORUS-AQ campaign, of which the spatial resolution is about 250 nm x 250 m. Principal component analysis (PCA) technique is used to retrieve slant column densities (SCD) of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and formaldehyde (HCHO). The fitting windows of SO2, NO2, and HCHO are 310-325 nm, 350-380 nm, and 335-357 nm respectively. The clear PCs of each species are collected from rural areas where are found to have less SCDs of each species from prior iteration step. Using the clear sector PCs and the cross section of each species, SCDs of each trace gas are obtained using the multiple linear regression method. Air mass factors (AMF) of each species are obtained using the atmospheric profiles from chemical transport model calculations during the campaign to convert SCDs to vertical column densities (VCD). The retrieved VCDs of each species well capture small point sources on the flight paths and their plumes propagating downwind areas, which was not available from the ground-based in-situ measurements. The retrieved VCDs will be compared and/or validated against other benchmark measurements during the campaign.

  14. PCA3 Silencing Sensitizes Prostate Cancer Cells to Enzalutamide-mediated Androgen Receptor Blockade.

    PubMed

    Özgür, Emre; Celik, Ayca Iribas; Darendeliler, Emin; Gezer, Ugur

    2017-07-01

    Prostate cancer (PCa) is an androgen-dependent disease. Novel anti-androgens (i.e. enzalutamide) have recently been developed for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Evidence is accumulating that prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) is involved in androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Here, in combination with enzalutamide-mediated AR blockade, we investigated the effect of PCA3 targeting on the viability of PCa cells. In hormone-sensitive LNCaP cells, AR-overexpressing LNCaP-AR + cells and VCaP cells (representing CRPC), PCA3 was silenced using siRNA oligonucleotides. Gene expression and cell viability was assessed in PCA3-silenced and/or AR-blocked cells. PCA3 targeting reduced the expression of AR-related genes (i.e. prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate-specific transcript 1 (non-protein coding) (PCGEM1)) and potentiated the effect of enzalutamide. Proliferation of PCa cells was suppressed upon PCA3 silencing with a greater effect in LNCaP-AR + cells. Furthermore, PCA3 silencing sensitized PCa cells to enzalutamide-induced loss of cell growth. PCA3, as a therapeutic target in PCa, might be used to potentiate AR antagonists. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

  15. Thinning and Pruning Influence Glaze Damage in a Loblolly Pine Plantation

    Treesearch

    James D. Burton

    1981-01-01

    An old-field plantation was thinned and pruned at age 11 and again at age 14 to 4 basal area levels and 3 crown percent levels. A survey was made to determine how damage by an ice storm at age 15 was influenced by treatment. Severe damage was heaviest in the densest stands and in stands with the shortest crowns, while the percent of stand destroyed was least under the...

  16. Environmental Impact Research Program. Brush Piles. Section 5.3.1, US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-07-01

    game species. Skunks (Mephitis and Spilogale spp.), raccoons (Procyon lotor), opossums (Dideiphis virginiana ), river otters (Lutra canadensis...cropland clearing, release cutting and pruning , fence repair, and clearing of fire lanes and openings (Burger 1973, Yoakum et al. 1980). General...apple (Malus spp.), basswood (Tilia spp.), and maple (Acer spp.) (Burger 1973). Such clippings will often be available as a by-product of pruning and

  17. Recursive optimal pruning with applications to tree structured vector quantizers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kiang, Shei-Zein; Baker, Richard L.; Sullivan, Gary J.; Chiu, Chung-Yen

    1992-01-01

    A pruning algorithm of Chou et al. (1989) for designing optimal tree structures identifies only those codebooks which lie on the convex hull of the original codebook's operational distortion rate function. The authors introduce a modified version of the original algorithm, which identifies a large number of codebooks having minimum average distortion, under the constraint that, in each step, only modes having no descendents are removed from the tree. All codebooks generated by the original algorithm are also generated by this algorithm. The new algorithm generates a much larger number of codebooks in the middle- and low-rate regions. The additional codebooks permit operation near the codebook's operational distortion rate function without time sharing by choosing from the increased number of available bit rates. Despite the statistical mismatch which occurs when coding data outside the training sequence, these pruned codebooks retain their performance advantage over full search vector quantizers (VQs) for a large range of rates.

  18. Biofiltration of composting gases using different municipal solid waste-pruning residue composts: monitoring by using an electronic nose.

    PubMed

    López, R; Cabeza, I O; Giráldez, I; Díaz, M J

    2011-09-01

    The concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the composting of kitchen waste and pruning residues, and the abatement of VOCs by different compost biofilters was studied. VOCs removal efficiencies greater than 90% were obtained using composts of municipal solid waste (MSW) or MSW-pruning residue as biofilter material. An electronic nose identified qualitative differences among the biofilter output gases at very low concentrations of VOCs. These differences were related to compost constituents, compost particle size (2-7 or 7-20mm), and a combination of both factors. The total concentration of VOCs determined by a photoionization analyser and inferred from electronic nose data sets were correlated over an ample range of concentrations of VOCs, showing that these techniques could be specially adapted for the monitoring of these processes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Degree-Pruning Dynamic Programming Approaches to Central Time Series Minimizing Dynamic Time Warping Distance.

    PubMed

    Sun, Tao; Liu, Hongbo; Yu, Hong; Chen, C L Philip

    2016-06-28

    The central time series crystallizes the common patterns of the set it represents. In this paper, we propose a global constrained degree-pruning dynamic programming (g(dp)²) approach to obtain the central time series through minimizing dynamic time warping (DTW) distance between two time series. The DTW matching path theory with global constraints is proved theoretically for our degree-pruning strategy, which is helpful to reduce the time complexity and computational cost. Our approach can achieve the optimal solution between two time series. An approximate method to the central time series of multiple time series [called as m_g(dp)²] is presented based on DTW barycenter averaging and our g(dp)² approach by considering hierarchically merging strategy. As illustrated by the experimental results, our approaches provide better within-group sum of squares and robustness than other relevant algorithms.

  20. Chemical composition of biomass generated in the guava tree pruning

    PubMed Central

    Camarena-Tello, Julio César; Rocha-Guzmán, Nuria Elizabeth; Gallegos-Infante, José Alberto; González-Laredo, Rubén Francisco; Pedraza-Bucio, Fabiola Eugenia; López-Albarrán, Pablo; Herrera-Bucio, Rafael; Rutiaga-Quiñones, José Guadalupe

    2015-01-01

    Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) is a native plant of Central America and is now widely cultivated in many tropical regions of the world for the fruit production. In Mexico, in the guava orchards common practices to control fruit production are: water stress, defoliation and pruning. In this study, we report the chemical composition of the biomass (branches and leaves) generated in the pruning practices. The results ranged as follows: pH (4.98-5.88), soda solubility (39.01-70.49 %), ash (1.87-8.20 %); potassium and calcium were the major inorganic elements in ash. No heavy metals were detected in the studied samples; total solubility (15.21-46.60 %), Runkel lignin (17.77-35.26 %), holocellulose (26.56 -69.49 %), α-cellulose (15.53-35.36 %), hemicelluloses (11.02-34.12 %), tannins in aqueous extracts (3.81-9.06 %), and tannins in ethanolic extracts (3.42-15.24 %). PMID:26417359

  1. Chemical composition of biomass generated in the guava tree pruning.

    PubMed

    Camarena-Tello, Julio César; Rocha-Guzmán, Nuria Elizabeth; Gallegos-Infante, José Alberto; González-Laredo, Rubén Francisco; Pedraza-Bucio, Fabiola Eugenia; López-Albarrán, Pablo; Herrera-Bucio, Rafael; Rutiaga-Quiñones, José Guadalupe

    2015-01-01

    Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) is a native plant of Central America and is now widely cultivated in many tropical regions of the world for the fruit production. In Mexico, in the guava orchards common practices to control fruit production are: water stress, defoliation and pruning. In this study, we report the chemical composition of the biomass (branches and leaves) generated in the pruning practices. The results ranged as follows: pH (4.98-5.88), soda solubility (39.01-70.49 %), ash (1.87-8.20 %); potassium and calcium were the major inorganic elements in ash. No heavy metals were detected in the studied samples; total solubility (15.21-46.60 %), Runkel lignin (17.77-35.26 %), holocellulose (26.56 -69.49 %), α-cellulose (15.53-35.36 %), hemicelluloses (11.02-34.12 %), tannins in aqueous extracts (3.81-9.06 %), and tannins in ethanolic extracts (3.42-15.24 %).

  2. Prostate health index (phi) and prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) significantly improve diagnostic accuracy in patients undergoing prostate biopsy.

    PubMed

    Perdonà, Sisto; Bruzzese, Dario; Ferro, Matteo; Autorino, Riccardo; Marino, Ada; Mazzarella, Claudia; Perruolo, Giuseppe; Longo, Michele; Spinelli, Rosa; Di Lorenzo, Giuseppe; Oliva, Andrea; De Sio, Marco; Damiano, Rocco; Altieri, Vincenzo; Terracciano, Daniela

    2013-02-15

    Prostate health index (phi) and prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) have been recently proposed as novel biomarkers for prostate cancer (PCa). We assessed the diagnostic performance of these biomarkers, alone or in combination, in men undergoing first prostate biopsy for suspicion of PCa. One hundred sixty male subjects were enrolled in this prospective observational study. PSA molecular forms, phi index (Beckman coulter immunoassay), PCA3 score (Progensa PCA3 assay), and other established biomarkers (tPSA, fPSA, and %fPSA) were assessed before patients underwent a 18-core first prostate biopsy. The discriminating ability between PCa-negative and PCa-positive biopsies of Beckman coulter phi and PCA3 score and other used biomarkers were determined. One hundred sixty patients met inclusion criteria. %p2PSA (p2PSA/fPSA × 100), phi and PCA3 were significantly higher in patients with PCa compared to PCa-negative group (median values: 1.92 vs. 1.55, 49.97 vs. 36.84, and 50 vs. 32, respectively, P ≤ 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that %p2PSA, phi, and PCA3 are good indicator of malignancy (AUCs = 0.68, 0.71, and 0.66, respectively). A multivariable logistic regression model consisting of both the phi index and PCA3 score allowed to reach an overall diagnostic accuracy of 0.77. Decision curve analysis revealed that this "combined" marker achieved the highest net benefit over the examined range of the threshold probability. phi and PCA3 showed no significant difference in the ability to predict PCa diagnosis in men undergoing first prostate biopsy. However, diagnostic performance is significantly improved by combining phi and PCA3. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. A pilot study assessing the association between paraoxonase 1 gene polymorphism and prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Uluocak, Nihat; Atılgan, Doğan; Parlaktaş, Bekir Süha; Erdemir, Fikret; Ateş, Ömer

    2017-09-01

    We aimed to show the relationship between paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene polymorphism and the development of prostate cancer (PCa). We investigated the association of single nuclotide polymorphisms of PON1 enzyme with the development of PCa risk. A total of 147 male patients were divided into PCa, and control groups. The control group was also divided into two subgroups according to serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels as non PCa-high PSA (>4 ng/mL) and non PCa-low PSA (≤4 ng/mL) groups. The mean ages of the patients were 64.81 years, 63.27 years and 64.22 years in PCa group, non PCa-low PSA and non PCa -high PSA groups, respectively. The mean PSA levels were 10.9 ng/mL, 1.16 ng/mL and 6.63 ng/mL for PCa group, non PCa -low PSA and non PCa -high PSA groups, respectively. In terms of PON1 polymorphisms and allele frequencies, there were no statistically significant differences between PCa and control groups. There was not a statistically significant difference between PCa and non PCa-high PSA groups as for genotypic and allelic frequencies. As a result of this small sample sized hypothetical study of polymorphism, a relationship could not be detected between PCa development and PON1 gene polymorphism. According to the results of this preliminary study, it is thought that more comprehensive future studies are necessary to clarify the possible role of PON1 gene polymorphism in the etiology of PCa.

  4. A pilot study assessing the association between paraoxonase 1 gene polymorphism and prostate cancer

    PubMed Central

    Uluocak, Nihat; Atılgan, Doğan; Parlaktaş, Bekir Süha; Erdemir, Fikret; Ateş, Ömer

    2017-01-01

    Objective We aimed to show the relationship between paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene polymorphism and the development of prostate cancer (PCa). Material and methods We investigated the association of single nuclotide polymorphisms of PON1 enzyme with the development of PCa risk. A total of 147 male patients were divided into PCa, and control groups. The control group was also divided into two subgroups according to serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels as non PCa-high PSA (>4 ng/mL) and non PCa-low PSA (≤4 ng/mL) groups. Results The mean ages of the patients were 64.81 years, 63.27 years and 64.22 years in PCa group, non PCa-low PSA and non PCa –high PSA groups, respectively. The mean PSA levels were 10.9 ng/mL, 1.16 ng/mL and 6.63 ng/mL for PCa group, non PCa –low PSA and non PCa –high PSA groups, respectively. In terms of PON1 polymorphisms and allele frequencies, there were no statistically significant differences between PCa and control groups. There was not a statistically significant difference between PCa and non PCa-high PSA groups as for genotypic and allelic frequencies. As a result of this small sample sized hypothetical study of polymorphism, a relationship could not be detected between PCa development and PON1 gene polymorphism. Conclusion According to the results of this preliminary study, it is thought that more comprehensive future studies are necessary to clarify the possible role of PON1 gene polymorphism in the etiology of PCa. PMID:28861298

  5. Accuracy of the prostate health index versus the urinary prostate cancer antigen 3 score to predict overall and significant prostate cancer at initial biopsy.

    PubMed

    Seisen, Thomas; Rouprêt, Morgan; Brault, Didier; Léon, Priscilla; Cancel-Tassin, Géraldine; Compérat, Eva; Renard-Penna, Raphaële; Mozer, Pierre; Guechot, Jérome; Cussenot, Olivier

    2015-01-01

    It remains unclear whether the Prostate Health Index (PHI) or the urinary Prostate-Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA-3) score is more accurate at screening for prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the accuracy of PHI and PCA-3 scores to predict overall and significant PCa in men undergoing an initial prostate biopsy. Double-blind assessments of PHI and PCA-3 were conducted by referent physicians in 138 patients who subsequently underwent trans-rectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy according to a 12-core scheme. Predictive accuracies of PHI and PCA-3 were assessed using AUC and compared according to the DeLong method. Diagnostic performances with usual cut-off values for positivity (i.e., PHI >40 and PCA-3 >35) were calculated, and odds ratios associated with predicting PCa overall and significant PCa as defined by pathological updated Epstein criteria (i.e., Gleason score ≥7, more than three positive cores, or >50% cancer involvement in any core) were estimated using logistic regression. Prevalences of overall and significant PCa were 44.9% and 28.3%, respectively. PCA-3 (AUC = 0.71) was the most accurate predictor of PCa overall, and significantly outperformed PHI (AUC = 0.65; P = 0.03). However, PHI (AUC = 0.80) remained the most accurate predictor when screening exclusively for significant PCa and significantly outperformed PCA-3 (AUC = 0.55; P = 0.03). Furthermore, PCA-3 >35 had the best accuracy, and positive or negative predictive values when screening for PCa overall whereas these diagnostic performances were greater for PHI >40 when exclusively screening for significant PCa. PHI > 40 combined with PCA-3 > 35 was more specific in both cases. In multivariate analyses, PCA-3 >35 (OR = 5.68; 95%CI = [2.21-14.59]; P < 0.001) was significantly correlated with the presence of PCa overall, but PHI >40 (OR = 9.60; 95%CI = [1.72-91.32]; P = 0.001) was the only independent predictor for detecting significant PCa. Although PCA-3 score is the best predictor for PCa overall at initial biopsy, our findings strongly indicate that PHI should be used for population-based screening to avoid over-diagnosis of indolent tumors that are unlikely to cause death. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. Predicting prostate biopsy outcome: prostate health index (phi) and prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) are useful biomarkers.

    PubMed

    Ferro, Matteo; Bruzzese, Dario; Perdonà, Sisto; Mazzarella, Claudia; Marino, Ada; Sorrentino, Alessandra; Di Carlo, Angelina; Autorino, Riccardo; Di Lorenzo, Giuseppe; Buonerba, Carlo; Altieri, Vincenzo; Mariano, Angela; Macchia, Vincenzo; Terracciano, Daniela

    2012-08-16

    Indication for prostate biopsy is presently mainly based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) serum levels and digital-rectal examination (DRE). In view of the unsatisfactory accuracy of these two diagnostic exams, research has focused on novel markers to improve pre-biopsy prostate cancer detection, such as phi and PCA3. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of phi and PCA3 for prostate cancer using biopsy as gold standard. Phi index (Beckman coulter immunoassay), PCA3 score (Progensa PCA3 assay) and other established biomarkers (tPSA, fPSA and %fPSA) were assessed before a 18-core prostate biopsy in a group of 251 subjects at their first biopsy. Values of %p2PSA and phi were significantly higher in patients with PCa compared with PCa-negative group (p<0.001) and also compared with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) (p<0.001). PCA3 score values were significantly higher in PCa compared with PCa-negative subjects (p<0.001) and in HGPIN vs PCa-negative patients (p<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that %p2PSA, phi and PCA3 are predictive of malignancy. In conclusion, %p2PSA, phi and PCA3 may predict a diagnosis of PCa in men undergoing their first prostate biopsy. PCA3 score is more useful in discriminating between HGPIN and non-cancer. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Asymmetric distances for binary embeddings.

    PubMed

    Gordo, Albert; Perronnin, Florent; Gong, Yunchao; Lazebnik, Svetlana

    2014-01-01

    In large-scale query-by-example retrieval, embedding image signatures in a binary space offers two benefits: data compression and search efficiency. While most embedding algorithms binarize both query and database signatures, it has been noted that this is not strictly a requirement. Indeed, asymmetric schemes that binarize the database signatures but not the query still enjoy the same two benefits but may provide superior accuracy. In this work, we propose two general asymmetric distances that are applicable to a wide variety of embedding techniques including locality sensitive hashing (LSH), locality sensitive binary codes (LSBC), spectral hashing (SH), PCA embedding (PCAE), PCAE with random rotations (PCAE-RR), and PCAE with iterative quantization (PCAE-ITQ). We experiment on four public benchmarks containing up to 1M images and show that the proposed asymmetric distances consistently lead to large improvements over the symmetric Hamming distance for all binary embedding techniques.

  8. Exploratory factor analysis of the 12-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale in people newly diagnosed with advanced cancer.

    PubMed

    Bai, Mei; Dixon, Jane K

    2014-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to reexamine the factor pattern of the 12-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp-12) using exploratory factor analysis in people newly diagnosed with advanced cancer. Principal components analysis (PCA) and 3 common factor analysis methods were used to explore the factor pattern of the FACIT-Sp-12. Factorial validity was assessed in association with quality of life (QOL). Principal factor analysis (PFA), iterative PFA, and maximum likelihood suggested retrieving 3 factors: Peace, Meaning, and Faith. Both Peace and Meaning positively related to QOL, whereas only Peace uniquely contributed to QOL. This study supported the 3-factor model of the FACIT-Sp-12. Suggestions for revision of items and further validation of the identified factor pattern were provided.

  9. Consensus classification of posterior cortical atrophy

    PubMed Central

    Crutch, Sebastian J.; Schott, Jonathan M.; Rabinovici, Gil D.; Murray, Melissa; Snowden, Julie S.; van der Flier, Wiesje M.; Dickerson, Bradford C.; Vandenberghe, Rik; Ahmed, Samrah; Bak, Thomas H.; Boeve, Bradley F.; Butler, Christopher; Cappa, Stefano F.; Ceccaldi, Mathieu; de Souza, Leonardo Cruz; Dubois, Bruno; Felician, Olivier; Galasko, Douglas; Graff-Radford, Jonathan; Graff-Radford, Neill R.; Hof, Patrick R.; Krolak-Salmon, Pierre; Lehmann, Manja; Magnin, Eloi; Mendez, Mario F.; Nestor, Peter J.; Onyike, Chiadi U.; Pelak, Victoria S.; Pijnenburg, Yolande; Primativo, Silvia; Rossor, Martin N.; Ryan, Natalie S.; Scheltens, Philip; Shakespeare, Timothy J.; González, Aida Suárez; Tang-Wai, David F.; Yong, Keir X. X.; Carrillo, Maria; Fox, Nick C.

    2017-01-01

    Introduction A classification framework for posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is proposed to improve the uniformity of definition of the syndrome in a variety of research settings. Methods Consensus statements about PCA were developed through a detailed literature review, the formation of an international multidisciplinary working party which convened on four occasions, and a Web-based quantitative survey regarding symptom frequency and the conceptualization of PCA. Results A three-level classification framework for PCA is described comprising both syndrome- and disease-level descriptions. Classification level 1 (PCA) defines the core clinical, cognitive, and neuroimaging features and exclusion criteria of the clinico-radiological syndrome. Classification level 2 (PCA-pure, PCA-plus) establishes whether, in addition to the core PCA syndrome, the core features of any other neurodegenerative syndromes are present. Classification level 3 (PCA attributable to AD [PCA-AD], Lewy body disease [PCA-LBD], corticobasal degeneration [PCA-CBD], prion disease [PCA-prion]) provides a more formal determination of the underlying cause of the PCA syndrome, based on available pathophysiological biomarker evidence. The issue of additional syndrome-level descriptors is discussed in relation to the challenges of defining stages of syndrome severity and characterizing phenotypic heterogeneity within the PCA spectrum. Discussion There was strong agreement regarding the definition of the core clinico-radiological syndrome, meaning that the current consensus statement should be regarded as a refinement, development, and extension of previous single-center PCA criteria rather than any wholesale alteration or redescription of the syndrome. The framework and terminology may facilitate the interpretation of research data across studies, be applicable across a broad range of research scenarios (e.g., behavioral interventions, pharmacological trials), and provide a foundation for future collaborative work. PMID:28259709

  10. Consensus classification of posterior cortical atrophy.

    PubMed

    Crutch, Sebastian J; Schott, Jonathan M; Rabinovici, Gil D; Murray, Melissa; Snowden, Julie S; van der Flier, Wiesje M; Dickerson, Bradford C; Vandenberghe, Rik; Ahmed, Samrah; Bak, Thomas H; Boeve, Bradley F; Butler, Christopher; Cappa, Stefano F; Ceccaldi, Mathieu; de Souza, Leonardo Cruz; Dubois, Bruno; Felician, Olivier; Galasko, Douglas; Graff-Radford, Jonathan; Graff-Radford, Neill R; Hof, Patrick R; Krolak-Salmon, Pierre; Lehmann, Manja; Magnin, Eloi; Mendez, Mario F; Nestor, Peter J; Onyike, Chiadi U; Pelak, Victoria S; Pijnenburg, Yolande; Primativo, Silvia; Rossor, Martin N; Ryan, Natalie S; Scheltens, Philip; Shakespeare, Timothy J; Suárez González, Aida; Tang-Wai, David F; Yong, Keir X X; Carrillo, Maria; Fox, Nick C

    2017-08-01

    A classification framework for posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is proposed to improve the uniformity of definition of the syndrome in a variety of research settings. Consensus statements about PCA were developed through a detailed literature review, the formation of an international multidisciplinary working party which convened on four occasions, and a Web-based quantitative survey regarding symptom frequency and the conceptualization of PCA. A three-level classification framework for PCA is described comprising both syndrome- and disease-level descriptions. Classification level 1 (PCA) defines the core clinical, cognitive, and neuroimaging features and exclusion criteria of the clinico-radiological syndrome. Classification level 2 (PCA-pure, PCA-plus) establishes whether, in addition to the core PCA syndrome, the core features of any other neurodegenerative syndromes are present. Classification level 3 (PCA attributable to AD [PCA-AD], Lewy body disease [PCA-LBD], corticobasal degeneration [PCA-CBD], prion disease [PCA-prion]) provides a more formal determination of the underlying cause of the PCA syndrome, based on available pathophysiological biomarker evidence. The issue of additional syndrome-level descriptors is discussed in relation to the challenges of defining stages of syndrome severity and characterizing phenotypic heterogeneity within the PCA spectrum. There was strong agreement regarding the definition of the core clinico-radiological syndrome, meaning that the current consensus statement should be regarded as a refinement, development, and extension of previous single-center PCA criteria rather than any wholesale alteration or redescription of the syndrome. The framework and terminology may facilitate the interpretation of research data across studies, be applicable across a broad range of research scenarios (e.g., behavioral interventions, pharmacological trials), and provide a foundation for future collaborative work. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Genetic Progression of High Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia to Prostate Cancer.

    PubMed

    Jung, Seung-Hyun; Shin, Sun; Kim, Min Sung; Baek, In-Pyo; Lee, Ji Youl; Lee, Sung Hak; Kim, Tae-Min; Lee, Sug Hyung; Chung, Yeun-Jun

    2016-05-01

    Although high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is considered a neoplastic lesion that precedes prostate cancer (PCA), the genomic structures of HGPIN remain unknown. Identification of the genomic landscape of HGPIN and the genomic differences between HGPIN and PCA that may drive the progression to PCA. We analyzed 20 regions of paired HGPIN and PCA from six patients using whole-exome sequencing and array-comparative genomic hybridization. Somatic mutation and copy number alteration (CNA) profiles of paired HGPIN and PCA were measured and compared. The number of total mutations and CNAs of HGPINs were significantly fewer than those of PCAs. Mutations in FOXA1 and CNAs (1q and 8q gains) were detected in both HGPIN and PCA ('common'), suggesting their roles in early PCA development. Mutations in SPOP, KDM6A, and KMT2D were 'PCA-specific', suggesting their roles in HGPIN progression to PCA. The 8p loss was either 'common' or 'PCA-specific'. In-silico estimation of evolutionary ages predicted that HGPIN genomes were much younger than PCA genomes. Our data show that PCAs are direct descendants of HGPINs in most cases that require more genomic alterations to progress to PCA. The nature of heterogeneous HGPIN population that might attenuate genomic signals should further be studied. HGPIN genomes harbor relatively fewer mutations and CNAs than PCA but require additional hits for the progression. In this study, we suggest a systemic diagram from high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) to prostate cancer (PCA). Our results provide a clue to explain the long latency from HGPIN to PCA and provide useful information for the genetic diagnosis of HGPIN and PCA. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Occipital-posterior cerebral artery bypass via the occipital interhemispheric approach

    PubMed Central

    Kazumata, Ken; Yokoyama, Yuka; Sugiyama, Taku; Asaoka, Katsuyuki

    2013-01-01

    Background: The unavailability of the superficial temporal artery (STA) and the location of lesions pose a more technically demanding challenge when compared with conventional STA-superior cerebellar or posterior cerebral artery (PCA) bypass in vascular reconstruction procedures. To describe a case series of patients with cerebrovascular lesions who were treated using an occipital artery (OA) to PCA bypass via the occipital interhemispheric approach. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed three consecutive cases of patients with cerebrovascular lesions who were treated using OA-PCA bypass. Results: OA-PCA bypass was performed via the occipital interhemispheric approach. This procedure included: (1) OA-PCA bypass (n = 1), and combined OA-posterior inferior cerebellar artery and OA-PCA saphenous vein interposition graft bypass (n = 1) in patients with vertebrobasilar ischemia; (2) OA-PCA radial artery interposition graft bypass in one patient with residual PCA aneurysm. Conclusions: OA-PCA bypass represents a useful alternative to conventional STA-SCA or PCA bypass. PMID:23956933

  13. Final Environmental Assessment for the Deactivation/Facility Disposition of Atlas Space Launch Complex (SLC-36) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-08-01

    canopy, which is constantly pruned and shaped by windborne salt spray. Coastal strand forms a dense thicket of shrubs, usually dominated by live...oak (Quercus virginiana ), buckthorn (Bumelia [Sideroxylon] tenax), sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera), wax myrtle, and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens...Station #4. Coastal oak scrub consists of dense, salt- pruned thickets of live oak, sand live oak, myrtle oak, and buckthorn, sometimes densely

  14. Depth from Edge and Intensity Based Stereo.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-09-01

    a Mars Viking vehicle, and a random dotted coffee jar. Assessment of the algorithm is a bit difficult: it uses a fairly simple control structure with...correspondences. This use of an evaluation function estimator allowed the introduction of the extensive pruning of a branch and bound algorithm. Even with it...Figure 3-6). This is the edge reversal constraint, and was integral to the pruning . As it happens, this same constraint is the key to the use of the

  15. Purposive discovery of operations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sims, Michael H.; Bresina, John L.

    1992-01-01

    The Generate, Prune & Prove (GPP) methodology for discovering definitions of mathematical operators is introduced. GPP is a task within the IL exploration discovery system. We developed GPP for use in the discovery of mathematical operators with a wider class of representations than was possible with the previous methods by Lenat and by Shen. GPP utilizes the purpose for which an operator is created to prune the possible definitions. The relevant search spaces are immense and there exists insufficient information for a complete evaluation of the purpose constraint, so it is necessary to perform a partial evaluation of the purpose (i.e., pruning) constraint. The constraint is first transformed so that it is operational with respect to the partial information, and then it is applied to examples in order to test the generated candidates for an operator's definition. In the GPP process, once a candidate definition survives this empirical prune, it is passed on to a theorem prover for formal verification. We describe the application of this methodology to the (re)discovery of the definition of multiplication for Conway numbers, a discovery which is difficult for human mathematicians. We successfully model this discovery process utilizing information which was reasonably available at the time of Conway's original discovery. As part of this discovery process, we reduce the size of the search space from a computationally intractable size to 3468 elements.

  16. A Flexible Computational Framework Using R and Map-Reduce for Permutation Tests of Massive Genetic Analysis of Complex Traits.

    PubMed

    Mahjani, Behrang; Toor, Salman; Nettelblad, Carl; Holmgren, Sverker

    2017-01-01

    In quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping significance of putative QTL is often determined using permutation testing. The computational needs to calculate the significance level are immense, 10 4 up to 10 8 or even more permutations can be needed. We have previously introduced the PruneDIRECT algorithm for multiple QTL scan with epistatic interactions. This algorithm has specific strengths for permutation testing. Here, we present a flexible, parallel computing framework for identifying multiple interacting QTL using the PruneDIRECT algorithm which uses the map-reduce model as implemented in Hadoop. The framework is implemented in R, a widely used software tool among geneticists. This enables users to rearrange algorithmic steps to adapt genetic models, search algorithms, and parallelization steps to their needs in a flexible way. Our work underlines the maturity of accessing distributed parallel computing for computationally demanding bioinformatics applications through building workflows within existing scientific environments. We investigate the PruneDIRECT algorithm, comparing its performance to exhaustive search and DIRECT algorithm using our framework on a public cloud resource. We find that PruneDIRECT is vastly superior for permutation testing, and perform 2 ×10 5 permutations for a 2D QTL problem in 15 hours, using 100 cloud processes. We show that our framework scales out almost linearly for a 3D QTL search.

  17. Strategies of leaf expansion in Ficus carica under semiarid conditions.

    PubMed

    González-Rodríguez, A M; Peters, J

    2010-05-01

    Leaf area expansion, thickness and inclination, gas exchange parameters and relative chlorophyll content were analysed in field-grown fig (Ficus carica L.) leaves over time, from emergence until after full leaf expansion (FLE). Ficus carica leaves showed a subtle change in shape during the early stages of development, and FLE was reached within ca. 30 days after emergence. Changes in leaf thickness and inclination after FLE demonstrated good adaptation to environmental conditions during summer in areas with a Mediterranean climate. Changes in gas exchange parameters and relative chlorophyll content showed that F. carica is a delayed-greening species, reaching maximum values 20 days after FLE. Correlation analysis of datasets collected during leaf expansion, confirmed dependence among structural and functional traits in F. carica. Pn was directly correlated with stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration (E), leaf area (LA) and relative chlorophyll content up to FLE. The effect of pruning on leaf expansion, a cultural technique commonly applied in this fruit tree, was also evaluated. Although leaf development in pruned branches gave a significantly higher relative leaf area growth rate (RGR(l)) and higher LA than non-pruned branches, no significant differences were found in other morphological and physiological traits, indicating no pruning effect on leaf development. All studied morphological and physiological characteristics indicate that F. carica is well adapted to semiarid conditions. The delayed greening strategy of this species is discussed.

  18. Diagnostic and predictive value of urine PCA3 gene expression for the clinical management of patients with altered prostatic specific antigen.

    PubMed

    Rodón, N; Trías, I; Verdú, M; Román, R; Domínguez, A; Calvo, M; Banus, J M; Ballesta, A M; Maestro, M L; Puig, X

    2014-04-01

    Analyze the impact of the introduction of the study of PCA3 gene in post-prostatic massage urine in the clinical management of patients with PSA altered, evaluating its diagnostic ability and predictive value of tumor aggressiveness. Observational, prospective, multicenter study of patients with suspected prostate cancer (PC) candidates for biopsy. We present a series of 670 consecutive samples of urine collected post-prostatic massage for three years in which we determined the "PCA3 score" (s-PCA3). Biopsy was only indicated in cases with s-positive PCA3. The s-PCA3 was positive in 43.7% of samples. In the 124 biopsies performed, the incidence of PC or atypical small acinar proliferation was 54%, reaching 68,6% in s-PCA3≥100. Statistically significant relationship between the s-PCA3 and tumor grade was demonstrated. In cases with s-PCA3 between 35 and 50 only 23% of PC were high grade (Gleason≥7), compared to 76.7% in cases with s-PCA3 over 50. There was a statistically significant correlation between s-PCA3 and cylinders affected. Both relationships were confirmed by applying a log-linear model. The incorporation of PCA3 can avoid the need for biopsies in 54% of patients. s-PCA3 positivity increases the likelihood of a positive biopsy, especially in higher s-PCA3 100 (68.6%). s-PCA3 is also an indicator of tumor aggressiveness and provides essential information in making treatment decisions. Copyright © 2013 AEU. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

  19. Highly erodible terrain in agriculture land against chipped pruned branches. Or how to stop the soil erosion with low investment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cerdà, A.

    2009-04-01

    The session on "Soil erosion and sediment control with vegetation and bioengineering on severely eroded terrain" pays special attention to the severe soil erosion suffered on steep slopes and erodible parent materials and soils. Within the last 20 years, in the Mediterranean lands, the citrus orchards were reallocated on steep slopes due to the urban development and better climatic and management conditions of the new plantations. The lack of vegetation cover on the new slope plantations of citrus resulted in high erosion rates. Those non-sustainable soil losses were measured by means of rainfall simulation experiments, Gerlach collectors, geomorphological transect and topographical measurements. The October 2007 and October 2008 rainy periods resulted in sheet, rill and gully erosion. Some recently planted orchards (2005) had the first pruning season in 2008. The pruned chipped branches reduced the soil losses to 50 % of the expected, although the litter (pruned branches) covered 4.67 % of the soil. This is why a research was developed by means of simulated rainfall experiments to determine the vegetation cover (litter, mainly leaves) to protect the soil to reach a sustainable erosion rate. Rainfall simulation experiments at 43 mm h-1 where performed on 1 m2 plots covered with 0, 3, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 80 and 100 % litter cover (pruned chipped branches) to determine the sustainable litter cover to avoid the soil losses. The results show that more that 45 % litter cover almost reduces the soil losses to negligible rates. The results confirm that 4 % of vegetation cover reduces the soil losses to 50 %. Key words: Agriculture land, erodible terrain, land management, citrus, erosion, Spain, Valencia, herbicides. Acknowledgements, We thanks the financial support of the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación by means of the project CGL2008-02879/BTE, "PERDIDA DE SUELO EN NUEVAS EXPLOTACIONES CITRICOLAS EN PENDIENTE. ESTRATEGIAS PARA EL CONTROL DE LA EROSION HIDRICA"

  20. Nutrient cycling and Above- and Below-ground Interactions in a Runoff Agroforestry System Applied with Composted Tree Trimmings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ilani, Talli; Ephrath, Jhonathan; Silberbush, Moshe; Berliner, Pedro

    2014-05-01

    The primary production in arid zones is limited due to shortage of water and nutrients. Conveying flood water and storing it in plots surrounded by embankments allows their cropping. The efficient exploitation of the stored water can be achieved through an agroforestry system, in which two crops are grown simultaneously: annual crops with a shallow root system and trees with a deeper root system. We posit that the long-term productivity of this system can be maintained by intercropping symbiotic N fixing shrubs with annual crops, and applying the pruned and composted shrub leaves to the soil, thus ensuring an adequate nitrogen level (a limiting factor in drylands) in the soil. To test our hypothesis we carried a two year trial in which fast-growing acacia (A. saligna) trees were the woody component and maize (Zea mays L.) the intercrop. Ten treatments were applied over two maize growth seasons to examine the below- and above-ground effects of tree pruning, compost application and interactions. The addition of compost in the first growth season led to an increase of the soil organic matter reservoir, which was the main N source for the maize during the following growth season. In the second growth season the maize yield was significantly higher in the plots to which compost was applied. Pruning the tree's canopies changed the trees spatial and temporal root development, allowing the annual crop to develop between the trees. The roots of pruned trees intercropped with maize penetrated deeper in the soil. The intercropping of maize within pruned trees and implementing compost resulted in a higher water use efficiency of the water stored in the soil when compared to the not composted and monoculture treatments. The results presented suggest that the approach used in this study can be the basis for achieving sustainable agricultural production under arid conditions.

  1. Intra-specific variation and allometry of the skull of Late Cretaceous side-necked turtle Bauruemys elegans (Pleurodira, Podocnemididae) and how to deal with morphometric data in fossil vertebrates

    PubMed Central

    Romano, Pedro S.R.

    2017-01-01

    Background Previous quantitative studies on Bauruemys elegans (Suárez, 1969) shell variation, as well as the taphonomic interpretation of its type locality, have suggested that all specimens collected in this locality may have belonged to the same population. We rely on this hypothesis in a morphometric study of the skull. Also, we tentatively assessed the eating preference habits differentiation that might be explained as due to ontogenetic changes. Methods We carried out an ANOVA testing 29 linear measurements from 21 skulls of B. elegans taken by using a caliper and through images, using the ImageJ software. First, a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was performed with 27 measurements (excluding total length and width characters; =raw data) in order to visualize the scatter plots based on the form variance only. Then, a second PCA was carried out using ratios of length and width of each original measurement to assess shape variation among individuals. Finally, original measurements were log-transformed to describe allometries over ontogeny. Results No statistical differences were found between caliper and ImageJ measurements. The first three PCs of the PCA with raw data comprised 70.2% of the variance. PC1 was related to size variation and all others related to shape variation. Two specimens plotted outside the 95% ellipse in PC1∼PC2 axes. The first three PCs of the PCA with ratios comprised 64% of the variance. When considering PC1∼PC2, all specimens plotted inside the 95% ellipse. In allometric analysis, five measurements were positively allometric, 19 were negatively allometric and three represented enantiometric allometry. Many bones of the posterior and the lateral emarginations lengthen due to increasing size, while jugal and the quadratojugal decrease in width. Discussion ImageJ is useful in replacing caliper since there was no statistical differences. Yet iterative imputation is more appropriate to deal with missing data in PCA. Some specimens show small differences in form and shape. Form differences were interpreted as occuring due to ontogeny, whereas shape differences are related to feeding changes during growth. Moreover, all outlier specimens are crushed and/or distorted, thus the form/shape differences may be partially due to taphonomy. The allometric lengthening of the parietal, quadrate, squamosal, maxilla, associated with the narrowing of jugal and quadratojugal may be related to changes in feeding habit between different stages of development. This change in shape might represent a progressive skull stretching and enlargement of posterior and lateral emargination during ontogeny, and consequently, the increment of the feeding-apparatus musculature. Smaller individuals may have fed on softer diet, whereas larger ones probably have had a harder diet, as seen in some living species of Podocnemis. We conclude that the skull variation might be related to differences in feeding habits over ontogeny in B. elegans. PMID:28413719

  2. Highly Scalable Matching Pursuit Signal Decomposition Algorithm

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Christensen, Daniel; Das, Santanu; Srivastava, Ashok N.

    2009-01-01

    Matching Pursuit Decomposition (MPD) is a powerful iterative algorithm for signal decomposition and feature extraction. MPD decomposes any signal into linear combinations of its dictionary elements or atoms . A best fit atom from an arbitrarily defined dictionary is determined through cross-correlation. The selected atom is subtracted from the signal and this procedure is repeated on the residual in the subsequent iterations until a stopping criterion is met. The reconstructed signal reveals the waveform structure of the original signal. However, a sufficiently large dictionary is required for an accurate reconstruction; this in return increases the computational burden of the algorithm, thus limiting its applicability and level of adoption. The purpose of this research is to improve the scalability and performance of the classical MPD algorithm. Correlation thresholds were defined to prune insignificant atoms from the dictionary. The Coarse-Fine Grids and Multiple Atom Extraction techniques were proposed to decrease the computational burden of the algorithm. The Coarse-Fine Grids method enabled the approximation and refinement of the parameters for the best fit atom. The ability to extract multiple atoms within a single iteration enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of each iteration. These improvements were implemented to produce an improved Matching Pursuit Decomposition algorithm entitled MPD++. Disparate signal decomposition applications may require a particular emphasis of accuracy or computational efficiency. The prominence of the key signal features required for the proper signal classification dictates the level of accuracy necessary in the decomposition. The MPD++ algorithm may be easily adapted to accommodate the imposed requirements. Certain feature extraction applications may require rapid signal decomposition. The full potential of MPD++ may be utilized to produce incredible performance gains while extracting only slightly less energy than the standard algorithm. When the utmost accuracy must be achieved, the modified algorithm extracts atoms more conservatively but still exhibits computational gains over classical MPD. The MPD++ algorithm was demonstrated using an over-complete dictionary on real life data. Computational times were reduced by factors of 1.9 and 44 for the emphases of accuracy and performance, respectively. The modified algorithm extracted similar amounts of energy compared to classical MPD. The degree of the improvement in computational time depends on the complexity of the data, the initialization parameters, and the breadth of the dictionary. The results of the research confirm that the three modifications successfully improved the scalability and computational efficiency of the MPD algorithm. Correlation Thresholding decreased the time complexity by reducing the dictionary size. Multiple Atom Extraction also reduced the time complexity by decreasing the number of iterations required for a stopping criterion to be reached. The Course-Fine Grids technique enabled complicated atoms with numerous variable parameters to be effectively represented in the dictionary. Due to the nature of the three proposed modifications, they are capable of being stacked and have cumulative effects on the reduction of the time complexity.

  3. PCA-LBG-based algorithms for VQ codebook generation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsai, Jinn-Tsong; Yang, Po-Yuan

    2015-04-01

    Vector quantisation (VQ) codebooks are generated by combining principal component analysis (PCA) algorithms with Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) algorithms. All training vectors are grouped according to the projected values of the principal components. The PCA-LBG-based algorithms include (1) PCA-LBG-Median, which selects the median vector of each group, (2) PCA-LBG-Centroid, which adopts the centroid vector of each group, and (3) PCA-LBG-Random, which randomly selects a vector of each group. The LBG algorithm finds a codebook based on the better vectors sent to an initial codebook by the PCA. The PCA performs an orthogonal transformation to convert a set of potentially correlated variables into a set of variables that are not linearly correlated. Because the orthogonal transformation efficiently distinguishes test image vectors, the proposed PCA-LBG-based algorithm is expected to outperform conventional algorithms in designing VQ codebooks. The experimental results confirm that the proposed PCA-LBG-based algorithms indeed obtain better results compared to existing methods reported in the literature.

  4. Adaptive non-local means on local principle neighborhood for noise/artifacts reduction in low-dose CT images.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yuanke; Lu, Hongbing; Rong, Junyan; Meng, Jing; Shang, Junliang; Ren, Pinghong; Zhang, Junying

    2017-09-01

    Low-dose CT (LDCT) technique can reduce the x-ray radiation exposure to patients at the cost of degraded images with severe noise and artifacts. Non-local means (NLM) filtering has shown its potential in improving LDCT image quality. However, currently most NLM-based approaches employ a weighted average operation directly on all neighbor pixels with a fixed filtering parameter throughout the NLM filtering process, ignoring the non-stationary noise nature of LDCT images. In this paper, an adaptive NLM filtering scheme on local principle neighborhoods (PC-NLM) is proposed for structure-preserving noise/artifacts reduction in LDCT images. Instead of using neighboring patches directly, in the PC-NLM scheme, the principle component analysis (PCA) is first applied on local neighboring patches of the target patch to decompose the local patches into uncorrelated principle components (PCs), then a NLM filtering is used to regularize each PC of the target patch and finally the regularized components is transformed to get the target patch in image domain. Especially, in the NLM scheme, the filtering parameter is estimated adaptively from local noise level of the neighborhood as well as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the corresponding PC, which guarantees a "weaker" NLM filtering on PCs with higher SNR and a "stronger" filtering on PCs with lower SNR. The PC-NLM procedure is iteratively performed several times for better removal of the noise and artifacts, and an adaptive iteration strategy is developed to reduce the computational load by determining whether a patch should be processed or not in next round of the PC-NLM filtering. The effectiveness of the presented PC-NLM algorithm is validated by experimental phantom studies and clinical studies. The results show that it can achieve promising gain over some state-of-the-art methods in terms of artifact suppression and structure preservation. With the use of PCA on local neighborhoods to extract principal structural components, as well as adaptive NLM filtering on PCs of the target patch using filtering parameter estimated based on the local noise level and corresponding SNR, the proposed PC-NLM method shows its efficacy in preserving fine anatomical structures and suppressing noise/artifacts in LDCT images. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

  5. The Software Therapist: Usability Problem Diagnosis Through Latent Semantic Analysis

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-06-14

    at a given level is equivalent to removing attributes that don’t apply to a given usability situation, thereby filtering or pruning off irrelevant sub...Each answer prunes the number of stages remaining. Through a process of elimination, the Wizard helps evaluators home in on the correct stage...the diagnosis for one problem report, the user may want to take a break to get a cup of coffee or take a short walk, but when ready to continue with

  6. Monoamine oxidase A mediates prostate tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Jason Boyang; Shao, Chen; Li, Xiangyan; Li, Qinlong; Hu, Peizhen; Shi, Changhong; Li, Yang; Chen, Yi-Ting; Yin, Fei; Liao, Chun-Peng; Stiles, Bangyan L.; Zhau, Haiyen E.; Shih, Jean C.; Chung, Leland W.K.

    2014-01-01

    Tumors from patients with high-grade aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) exhibit increased expression of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), a mitochondrial enzyme that degrades monoamine neurotransmitters and dietary amines. Despite the association between MAOA and aggressive PCa, it is unclear how MAOA promotes PCa progression. Here, we found that MAOA functions to induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stabilize the transcription factor HIF1α, which mediates hypoxia through an elevation of ROS, thus enhancing growth, invasiveness, and metastasis of PCa cells. Knockdown and overexpression of MAOA in human PCa cell lines indicated that MAOA induces EMT through activation of VEGF and its coreceptor neuropilin-1. MAOA-dependent activation of neuropilin-1 promoted AKT/FOXO1/TWIST1 signaling, allowing FOXO1 binding at the TWIST1 promoter. Importantly, the MAOA-dependent HIF1α/VEGF-A/FOXO1/TWIST1 pathway was activated in high-grade PCa specimens, and knockdown of MAOA reduced or even eliminated prostate tumor growth and metastasis in PCa xenograft mouse models. Pharmacological inhibition of MAOA activity also reduced PCa xenograft growth in mice. Moreover, high MAOA expression in PCa tissues correlated with worse clinical outcomes in PCa patients. These findings collectively characterize the contribution of MAOA in PCa pathogenesis and suggest that MAOA has potential as a therapeutic target in PCa. PMID:24865426

  7. Monoamine oxidase A mediates prostate tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis.

    PubMed

    Wu, Jason Boyang; Shao, Chen; Li, Xiangyan; Li, Qinlong; Hu, Peizhen; Shi, Changhong; Li, Yang; Chen, Yi-Ting; Yin, Fei; Liao, Chun-Peng; Stiles, Bangyan L; Zhau, Haiyen E; Shih, Jean C; Chung, Leland W K

    2014-07-01

    Tumors from patients with high-grade aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) exhibit increased expression of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), a mitochondrial enzyme that degrades monoamine neurotransmitters and dietary amines. Despite the association between MAOA and aggressive PCa, it is unclear how MAOA promotes PCa progression. Here, we found that MAOA functions to induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stabilize the transcription factor HIF1α, which mediates hypoxia through an elevation of ROS, thus enhancing growth, invasiveness, and metastasis of PCa cells. Knockdown and overexpression of MAOA in human PCa cell lines indicated that MAOA induces EMT through activation of VEGF and its coreceptor neuropilin-1. MAOA-dependent activation of neuropilin-1 promoted AKT/FOXO1/TWIST1 signaling, allowing FOXO1 binding at the TWIST1 promoter. Importantly, the MAOA-dependent HIF1α/VEGF-A/FOXO1/TWIST1 pathway was activated in high-grade PCa specimens, and knockdown of MAOA reduced or even eliminated prostate tumor growth and metastasis in PCa xenograft mouse models. Pharmacological inhibition of MAOA activity also reduced PCa xenograft growth in mice. Moreover, high MAOA expression in PCa tissues correlated with worse clinical outcomes in PCa patients. These findings collectively characterize the contribution of MAOA in PCa pathogenesis and suggest that MAOA has potential as a therapeutic target in PCa.

  8. MD-11 PCA - Research flight team photo

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1995-01-01

    On Aug. 30, 1995, a the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 transport aircraft landed equipped with a computer-assisted engine control system that has the potential to increase flight safety. In landings at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, on August 29 and 30, the aircraft demonstrated software used in the aircraft's flight control computer that essentially landed the MD-11 without a need for the pilot to manipulate the flight controls significantly. In partnership with McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA), with Pratt & Whitney and Honeywell helping to design the software, NASA developed this propulsion-controlled aircraft (PCA) system following a series of incidents in which hydraulic failures resulted in the loss of flight controls. This new system enables a pilot to operate and land the aircraft safely when its normal, hydraulically-activated control surfaces are disabled. This August 29, 1995, photo shows the MD-11 team. Back row, left to right: Tim Dingen, MDA pilot; John Miller, MD-11 Chief pilot (MDA); Wayne Anselmo, MD-11 Flight Test Engineer (MDA); Gordon Fullerton, PCA Project pilot; Bill Burcham, PCA Chief Engineer; Rudey Duran, PCA Controls Engineer (MDA); John Feather, PCA Controls Engineer (MDA); Daryl Townsend, Crew Chief; Henry Hernandez, aircraft mechanic; Bob Baron, PCA Project Manager; Don Hermann, aircraft mechanic; Jerry Cousins, aircraft mechanic; Eric Petersen, PCA Manager (Honeywell); Trindel Maine, PCA Data Engineer; Jeff Kahler, PCA Software Engineer (Honeywell); Steve Goldthorpe, PCA Controls Engineer (MDA). Front row, left to right: Teresa Hass, Senior Project Management Analyst; Hollie Allingham (Aguilera), Senior Project Management Analyst; Taher Zeglum, PCA Data Engineer (MDA); Drew Pappas, PCA Project Manager (MDA); John Burken, PCA Control Engineer.

  9. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Screening and New Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer (PCa)

    PubMed Central

    Rittenhouse, Harry; Hu, Xinhai; Cammann, Henning; Jung, Klaus

    2014-01-01

    Abstract PSA screening reduces PCa-mortality but the disadvantages overdiagnosis and overtreatment require multivariable risk-prediction tools to select appropriate treatment or active surveillance. This review explains the differences between the two largest screening trials and discusses the drawbacks of screening and its meta-analysisxs. The current American and European screening strategies are described. Nonetheless, PSA is one of the most widely used tumor markers and strongly correlates with the risk of harboring PCa. However, while PSA has limitations for PCa detection with its low specificity there are several potential biomarkers presented in this review with utility for PCa currently being studied. There is an urgent need for new biomarkers especially to detect clinically significant and aggressive PCa. From all PSA-based markers, the FDA-approved prostate health index (phi) shows improved specificity over percent free and total PSA. Another kallikrein panel, 4K, which includes KLK2 has recently shown promise in clinical research studies but has not yet undergone formal validation studies. In urine, prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) has also been validated and approved by the FDA for its utility to detect PCa. The potential correlation of PCA3 with cancer aggressiveness requires more clinical studies. The detection of the fusion of androgen-regulated genes with genes of the regulatory transcription factors in tissue of ~50% of all PCa-patients is a milestone in PCa research. A combination of the urinary assays for TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion and PCA3 shows an improved accuracy for PCa detection. Overall, the field of PCa biomarker discovery is very exciting and prospective. PMID:27683457

  10. Assessing the Clinical Role of Genetic Markers of Early-Onset Prostate Cancer Among High-Risk Men Enrolled in Prostate Cancer Early Detection

    PubMed Central

    Hughes, Lucinda; Zhu, Fang; Ross, Eric; Gross, Laura; Uzzo, Robert G.; Chen, David Y. T.; Viterbo, Rosalia; Rebbeck, Timothy R.; Giri, Veda N.

    2011-01-01

    Background Men with familial prostate cancer (PCA) and African American men are at risk for developing PCA at younger ages. Genetic markers predicting early-onset PCA may provide clinically useful information to guide screening strategies for high-risk men. We evaluated clinical information from six polymorphisms associated with early-onset PCA in a longitudinal cohort of high-risk men enrolled in PCA early detection with significant African American participation. Methods Eligibility criteria include ages 35–69 with a family history of PCA or African American race. Participants undergo screening and biopsy per study criteria. Six markers associated with early-onset PCA (rs2171492 (7q32), rs6983561 (8q24), rs10993994 (10q11), rs4430796 (17q12), rs1799950 (17q21), and rs266849 (19q13)) were genotyped. Cox models were used to evaluate time to PCA diagnosis and PSA prediction for PCA by genotype. Harrell’s concordance index was used to evaluate predictive accuracy for PCA by PSA and genetic markers. Results 460 participants with complete data and ≥1 follow-up visit were included. 56% were African American. Among African American men, rs6983561 genotype was significantly associated with earlier time to PCA diagnosis (p=0.005) and influenced prediction for PCA by the PSA (p<0.001). When combined with PSA, rs6983561 improved predictive accuracy for PCA compared to PSA alone among African American men (PSA= 0.57 vs. PSA+rs6983561=0.75, p=0.03). Conclusions Early-onset marker rs6983561 adds potentially useful clinical information for African American men undergoing PCA risk assessment. Further study is warranted to validate these findings. Impact Genetic markers of early-onset PCA have potential to refine and personalize PCA early detection for high-risk men. PMID:22144497

  11. Evaluation of Vitronectin Expression in Prostate Cancer and the Clinical Significance of the Association of Vitronectin Expression with Prostate Specific Antigen in Detecting Prostate Cancer.

    PubMed

    Niu, Yue; Zhang, Ling; Bi, Xing; Yuan, Shuai; Chen, Peng

    2016-03-05

    To detect the expression of vitronectin (VTN) in the tissues and blood serum of prostate cancer (PCa) patients, and evaluate its clinical significance and to evaluate the significance of the combined assay of VTN and prostate specific antigens (PSA) in PCa diagnosis. To detect the expression of VTN as a potential marker for PCa diagnosis and prognosis, immunohistochemistry was performed on the tissues of 32 patients with metastatic PCa (PCaM), 34 patients with PCa without metastasis (PCa), and 41 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The sera were then subjected to Western blot analysis. All cases were subsequently examined to determine the concentrations of PSA and VTN in the sera. The collected data were collated and analyzed. The positive expression rates of VTN in the tissues of the BPH and PCa groups (including PCa and PCaM groups) were 75.61% and 45.45%, respectively (P = .005). VTN was more highly expressed in the sera of the BPH patients (0.83 ± 0.07) than in the sera of the PCa patients (0.65 ± 0.06) (P < .05). It was also more highly expressed in the sera of the PCa patients than in the sera of the PCaM patients (0.35 ± 0.08) (P < .05). In the diagnosis of BPH and PCa, the Youden indexes of PSA detection, VTN detection, and combined detection were 0.2620, 0.3468, and 0.5635; the kappa values were 0.338, 0.304, and 0.448, respectively, and the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.625, 0.673, and 0.703 (P < .05), respectively. VTN levels in sera may be used as a potential marker of PCa for the diagnosis and assessment of disease progression and metastasis. The combined detection of VTN and PSA in sera can be clinically applied in PCa diagnosis. .

  12. Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and soil moisture influence biofilm development and turnover of rhizobacterial biomass on wheat root surfaces.

    PubMed

    LeTourneau, Melissa K; Marshall, Matthew J; Cliff, John B; Bonsall, Robert F; Dohnalkova, Alice C; Mavrodi, Dmitri V; Devi, S Indira; Mavrodi, Olga V; Harsh, James B; Weller, David M; Thomashow, Linda S

    2018-04-24

    Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) is produced by rhizobacteria in dryland but not in irrigated wheat fields of the Pacific Northwest, USA. PCA promotes biofilm development in bacterial cultures and bacterial colonization of wheat rhizospheres. However, its impact upon biofilm development has not been demonstrated in the rhizosphere, where biofilms influence terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycles with ramifications for crop and soil health. Furthermore, the relationships between soil moisture and the rates of PCA biosynthesis and degradation have not been established. In this study, expression of PCA biosynthesis genes was up-regulated relative to background transcription, and persistence of PCA was slightly decreased in dryland relative to irrigated wheat rhizospheres. Biofilms in dryland rhizospheres inoculated with the PCA-producing (PCA + ) strain Pseudomonas synxantha 2-79RN 10 were more robust than those in rhizospheres inoculated with an isogenic PCA-deficient (PCA - ) mutant strain. This trend was reversed in irrigated rhizospheres. In dryland PCA + rhizospheres, the turnover of 15 N-labelled rhizobacterial biomass was slower than in the PCA - and irrigated PCA + treatments, and incorporation of bacterial 15 N into root cell walls was observed in multiple treatments. These results indicate that PCA promotes biofilm development in dryland rhizospheres, and likely influences crop nutrition and soil health in dryland wheat fields. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. © 2018 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  13. Incidental prostate cancer in radical cystoprostatectomy specimens.

    PubMed

    Jin, Xiao-Dong; Chen, Zhao-Dian; Wang, Bo; Cai, Song-Liang; Yao, Xiao-Lin; Jin, Bai-Ye

    2008-09-01

    To investigate the rates of prostate cancer (PCa) in radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP) specimens for bladder cancer in mainland China. To determine the follow-up outcome of patients with two concurrent cancers and identify whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a useful tool for the detection of PCa prior to surgery. From January 2002 to January 2007, 264 male patients with bladder cancer underwent RCP at our center. All patients underwent digital rectal examination (DRE) and B ultrasound. Serum PSA levels were tested in 168 patients. None of the patients had any evidence of PCa before RCP. Entire prostates were embedded and sectioned at 5 mm intervals. Incidental PCa was observed in 37 of 264 (14.0%) RCP specimens. Of these, 12 (32.4%) were clinically significant according to an accepted definition. The PSA levels were not significantly different between patients with PCa and those without PCa, nor between patients with significant PCa and those with insignificant PCa. Thirty-four patients with incidental PCa were followed up. During a mean follow-up period of 26 months, two patients with PSA > 4 ng/mL underwent castration. None of the patients died of PCa. The incidence of PCa in RCP specimens in mainland China is lower than that in most developed countries. PSA cannot identify asymptomatic PCa prior to RCP. In line with published reports, incidental PCa does not impact the prognosis of bladder cancer patients undergoing RCP. (c) 2008, Asian Journal of Andrology, SIMM and SJTU. All rights reserved.

  14. Impact of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid upon iron speciation and microbial biomass in the rhizosphere of wheat

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    LeTourneau, M.; Marshall, M.; Grant, M.; Freeze, P.; Cliff, J. B.; Lai, B.; Strawn, D. G.; Thomashow, L. S.; Weller, D. M.; Harsh, J. B.

    2015-12-01

    Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) is a redox-active antibiotic produced by diverse bacterial taxa, and has been shown to facilitate interactions between biofilms and iron (hydr)oxides in culture systems (Wang et al. 2011, J Bacteriol 192: 365). Because rhizobacterial biofilms are a major sink for plant-derived carbon and source for soil organic matter (SOM), and Fe (hydr)oxides have reactive surfaces that influence the stability of microbial biomass and SOM, PCA-producing rhizobacteria could influence soil carbon fluxes. Large populations of Pseudomonas fluorescens strains producing PCA in concentrations up to 1 μg/g root have been observed in the rhizosphere of non-irrigated wheat fields covering 1.56 million hectares of central Washington state. This is one of the highest concentrations ever reported for a natural antibiotic in a terrestrial ecosystem (Mavrodi et al. 2012, Appl Environ Microb 78: 804). Microscopic comparisons of PCA-producing (PCA+) and non-PCA-producing (PCA-) rhizobacterial colony morphologies, and comparisons of Fe extractions from rhizosphere soil inoculated with PCA+ and PCA- strains suggest that PCA promotes biofilm development as well as dramatic Fe transformations throughout the rhizosphere (unpublished data). In order to illustrate PCA-mediated interactions between biofilms and Fe (hydr)oxides in the rhizosphere, identify the specific Fe phases favored by PCA, and establish the ramifications for stability and distribution of microbial biomass and SOM, we have collected electron micrographs, X-ray fluorescence images, X-ray absorption near-edge spectra, and secondary-ion mass spectrometry images of wheat root sections inoculated with 15N-labelled PCA+ or PCA- rhizobacteria. These images and spectra allow us to assess the accumulation, turnover, and distribution of microbial biomass, the associations between Fe and other nutrients such as phosphorus, and the redox status and speciation of iron in the presence and absence of PCA. This information provides a starting point to model the impact of PCA upon carbon fluxes in Columbia Basin agro-ecosystems and other environments where PCA-producing bacteria are prevalent.

  15. C-fuzzy variable-branch decision tree with storage and classification error rate constraints

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Shiueng-Bien

    2009-10-01

    The C-fuzzy decision tree (CFDT), which is based on the fuzzy C-means algorithm, has recently been proposed. The CFDT is grown by selecting the nodes to be split according to its classification error rate. However, the CFDT design does not consider the classification time taken to classify the input vector. Thus, the CFDT can be improved. We propose a new C-fuzzy variable-branch decision tree (CFVBDT) with storage and classification error rate constraints. The design of the CFVBDT consists of two phases-growing and pruning. The CFVBDT is grown by selecting the nodes to be split according to the classification error rate and the classification time in the decision tree. Additionally, the pruning method selects the nodes to prune based on the storage requirement and the classification time of the CFVBDT. Furthermore, the number of branches of each internal node is variable in the CFVBDT. Experimental results indicate that the proposed CFVBDT outperforms the CFDT and other methods.

  16. The potential of turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) in agroforestry system based on silk tree (Albizia chinensis)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Purnomo, D.; Budiastuti, M. S.; Sakya, A. T.; Cholid, M. I.

    2018-03-01

    Turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) is a traditional medicinal plant. In Indonesia, it is generally cultivated in village home gardens. Famers conducted very simpple cultivation method of turmeric, without specific maintenance and below varies tree. The experiment was conducted by cultivating turmeric below silk trees as in agroforetry system. The experiment was arranged split plot design, the first factor was three level of irradiation (turmeric monoculture/full irradiation, turmeric below silktree with pruning canopy, and turmeric below silk tree no pruning). The second factor was fertilizer NPK 15-15-15 with three levels of doses (100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1). Cultivating turmeric in agroforestry system based on silk tree which were one year old and not yet needed pruning, application of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer 100 kg ha-1 was enough. The rhizome yield of turmeric 3 months age reaches 139 g per plant (fresh weight). Litter fall from a silk tree one year old in one year is 30 kg per tree per year.

  17. Kinetic and morphology study of alginate-vineyard pruning waste biocomposite vs. non modified vineyard pruning waste for dye removal.

    PubMed

    Vecino, Xanel; Devesa-Rey, Rosa; Villagrasa, Salvador; Cruz, Jose M; Moldes, Ana B

    2015-12-01

    In this work a comparative bioadsorption study between a biocomposite consisting of hydrolysed vineyard pruning waste entrapped in calcium alginate spheres and non entrapped vineyard residue was carried out. Results have demonstrated that the biocomposite based on lignocellulose-calcium alginate spheres removed 77.3% of dyes, while non entrapped lignocellulose eliminated only removed 27.8% of colour compounds. The experimental data were fitted to several kinetic models (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Chien-Clayton model, intraparticle diffusion model and Bangham model); being pseudo-second order the kinetic model that better described the adsorption of dyes onto both bioadsorbents. In addition, a morphological study (roughness and shape) of alginate-vineyard biocomposite was established under extreme conditions, observing significant differences between hydrated and dehydrated alginate-vineyard biocomposite. The techniques used to carry out this morphological study consisted of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), perfilometry and 3D surface analysis. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  18. A Pruning Neural Network Model in Credit Classification Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Tang, Yajiao; Ji, Junkai; Dai, Hongwei; Yu, Yang; Todo, Yuki

    2018-01-01

    Nowadays, credit classification models are widely applied because they can help financial decision-makers to handle credit classification issues. Among them, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been widely accepted as the convincing methods in the credit industry. In this paper, we propose a pruning neural network (PNN) and apply it to solve credit classification problem by adopting the well-known Australian and Japanese credit datasets. The model is inspired by synaptic nonlinearity of a dendritic tree in a biological neural model. And it is trained by an error back-propagation algorithm. The model is capable of realizing a neuronal pruning function by removing the superfluous synapses and useless dendrites and forms a tidy dendritic morphology at the end of learning. Furthermore, we utilize logic circuits (LCs) to simulate the dendritic structures successfully which makes PNN be implemented on the hardware effectively. The statistical results of our experiments have verified that PNN obtains superior performance in comparison with other classical algorithms in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency. PMID:29606961

  19. A comprehensive evaluation of CHEK2 germline mutations in men with prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Wu, Yishuo; Yu, Hongjie; Zheng, S Lilly; Na, Rong; Mamawala, Mufaddal; Landis, Tricia; Wiley, Kathleen; Petkewicz, Jacqueline; Shah, Sameep; Shi, Zhuqing; Novakovic, Kristian; McGuire, Michael; Brendler, Charles B; Ding, Qiang; Helfand, Brian T; Carter, H Ballentine; Cooney, Kathleen A; Isaacs, William B; Xu, Jianfeng

    2018-06-01

    Germline mutations in CHEK2 have been associated with prostate cancer (PCa) risk. Our objective is to examine whether germline pathogenic CHEK2 mutations can differentiate risk of lethal from indolent PCa. A case-case study of 703 lethal PCa patients and 1455 patients with low-risk localized PCa of European, African, and Chinese origin was performed. Germline DNA samples from these patients were sequenced for CHEK2. Mutation carrier rates and their association with lethal PCa were analyzed using the Fisher exact test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. In the entire study population, 40 (1.85%) patients were identified as carrying one of 15 different germline CHEK2 pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations. CHEK2 mutations were detected in 16 (2.28%) of 703 lethal PCa patients compared with 24 (1.65%) of 1455 low-risk PCa patients (P = 0.31). No association was found between CHEK2 mutation status and early-diagnosis or PCa-specific survival time. However, the most common mutation in CHEK2, c.1100delC (p.T367 fs), had a significantly higher carrier rate (1.28%) in lethal PCa patients than low-risk PCa patients of European American origin (0.16%), P = 0.0038. The estimated Odds Ratio of this mutation for lethal PCa was 7.86. The carrier rate in lethal PCa was also significantly higher than that (0.46%) in 32 461 non-Finnish European subjects from the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) (P = 0.01). While overall CHEK2 mutations were not significantly more common in men with lethal compared to low-risk PCa, the specific CHEK2 mutation, c.1100delC, appears to contribute to an increased risk of lethal PCa in European American men. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  20. Bone-induced c-kit expression in prostate cancer: a driver of intraosseous tumor growth

    PubMed Central

    Mainetti, Leandro E.; Zhe, Xiaoning; Diedrich, Jonathan; Saliganan, Allen D.; Cho, Won Jin; Cher, Michael L.; Heath, Elisabeth; Fridman, Rafael; Kim, Hyeong-Reh Choi; Bonfil, R. Daniel

    2014-01-01

    Loss of BRCA2 function stimulates prostate cancer (PCa) cell invasion and is associated with more aggressive and metastatic tumors in PCa patients. Concurrently, the receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit is highly expressed in skeletal metastases of PCa patients and induced in PCa cells placed into the bone microenvironment in experimental models. However, the precise requirement of c-kit for intraosseous growth of PCa and its relation to BRCA2 expression remain unexplored. Here, we show that c-kit expression promotes migration and invasion of PCa cells. Alongside, we found that c-kit expression in PCa cells parallels BRCA2 downregulation. Gene rescue experiments with human BRCA2 transgene in c-kit-transfected PCa cells resulted in reduction of c-kit protein expression and migration and invasion, suggesting a functional significance of BRCA2 downregulation by c-kit. The inverse association between c-kit and BRCA2 gene expressions in PCa cells was confirmed using laser capture microdissection in experimental intraosseous tumors and bone metastases of PCa patients. Inhibition of bone-induced c-kit expression in PCa cells transduced with lentiviral short hairpin RNA reduced intraosseous tumor incidence and growth. Overall, our results provide evidence of a novel pathway that links bone-induced c-kit expression in PCa cells to BRCA2 downregulation and supports bone metastasis. PMID:24798488

  1. The impact of sexual orientation on body image, self-esteem, urinary and sexual functions in the experience of prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Thomas, C; Wootten, A C; Robinson, P; Law, P C F; McKenzie, D P

    2018-03-01

    Prostate cancer (PCa) poses a large health burden globally. Research indicates that men experience a range of psychological challenges associated with PCa including changes to identity, self-esteem and body image. The ways in which sexual orientation plays a role in the experience of PCa, and the subsequent impact on quality of life (QoL), body image and self-esteem have only recently been addressed. By addressing treatment modality, where participant numbers were sufficient, we also sought to explore whether gay (homosexual) men diagnosed with PCa (PCaDx) and with a primary treatment modality of surgery would report differences in body image and self-esteem compared with straight (heterosexual) men with PCaDx with a primary treatment modality of surgery, compared with gay and straight men without PCaDx. The results of our study identified overall differences with respect to PCaDx (related to urinary function, sexual function and health evaluation), and sexual orientation (related to self-esteem), rather than interactions between sexual orientation and PCaDx. Gay men with PCaDx exhibited higher levels of urinary functioning than straight men with PCaDx, the difference being reversed for gay and straight men without PCaDx; but this result narrowly failed to achieve statistical significance, suggesting a need for further research, with larger samples. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  2. SU-C-209-02: 3D Fluoroscopic Image Generation From Patient-Specific 4DCBCT-Based Motion Models Derived From Clinical Patient Images

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dhou, S; Cai, W; Hurwitz, M

    Purpose: We develop a method to generate time varying volumetric images (3D fluoroscopic images) using patient-specific motion models derived from four-dimensional cone-beam CT (4DCBCT). Methods: Motion models are derived by selecting one 4DCBCT phase as a reference image, and registering the remaining images to it. Principal component analysis (PCA) is performed on the resultant displacement vector fields (DVFs) to create a reduced set of PCA eigenvectors that capture the majority of respiratory motion. 3D fluoroscopic images are generated by optimizing the weights of the PCA eigenvectors iteratively through comparison of measured cone-beam projections and simulated projections generated from the motionmore » model. This method was applied to images from five lung-cancer patients. The spatial accuracy of this method is evaluated by comparing landmark positions in the 3D fluoroscopic images to manually defined ground truth positions in the patient cone-beam projections. Results: 4DCBCT motion models were shown to accurately generate 3D fluoroscopic images when the patient cone-beam projections contained clearly visible structures moving with respiration (e.g., the diaphragm). When no moving anatomical structure was clearly visible in the projections, the 3D fluoroscopic images generated did not capture breathing deformations, and reverted to the reference image. For the subset of 3D fluoroscopic images generated from projections with visibly moving anatomy, the average tumor localization error and the 95th percentile were 1.6 mm and 3.1 mm respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that 4DCBCT-based 3D fluoroscopic images can accurately capture respiratory deformations in a patient dataset, so long as the cone-beam projections used contain visible structures that move with respiration. For clinical implementation of 3D fluoroscopic imaging for treatment verification, an imaging field of view (FOV) that contains visible structures moving with respiration should be selected. If no other appropriate structures are visible, the images should include the diaphragm. This project was supported, in part, through a Master Research Agreement with Varian Medical Systems, Inc, Palo Alto, CA.« less

  3. Auxetic metamaterials from disordered networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reid, Daniel R.; Pashine, Nidhi; Wozniak, Justin M.; Jaeger, Heinrich M.; Liu, Andrea J.; Nagel, Sidney R.; de Pablo, Juan J.

    2018-02-01

    Recent theoretical work suggests that systematic pruning of disordered networks consisting of nodes connected by springs can lead to materials that exhibit a host of unusual mechanical properties. In particular, global properties such as Poisson’s ratio or local responses related to deformation can be precisely altered. Tunable mechanical responses would be useful in areas ranging from impact mitigation to robotics and, more generally, for creation of metamaterials with engineered properties. However, experimental attempts to create auxetic materials based on pruning-based theoretical ideas have not been successful. Here we introduce a more realistic model of the networks, which incorporates angle-bending forces and the appropriate experimental boundary conditions. A sequential pruning strategy of select bonds in this model is then devised and implemented that enables engineering of specific mechanical behaviors upon deformation, both in the linear and in the nonlinear regimes. In particular, it is shown that Poisson’s ratio can be tuned to arbitrary values. The model and concepts discussed here are validated by preparing physical realizations of the networks designed in this manner, which are produced by laser cutting 2D sheets and are found to behave as predicted. Furthermore, by relying on optimization algorithms, we exploit the networks’ susceptibility to tuning to design networks that possess a distribution of stiffer and more compliant bonds and whose auxetic behavior is even greater than that of homogeneous networks. Taken together, the findings reported here serve to establish that pruned networks represent a promising platform for the creation of unique mechanical metamaterials.

  4. Long-term depression-associated signaling is required for an in vitro model of NMDA receptor-dependent synapse pruning

    PubMed Central

    Henson, Maile A.; Tucker, Charles J.; Zhao, Meilan; Dudek, Serena M.

    2016-01-01

    Activity-dependent pruning of synaptic contacts plays a critical role in shaping neuronal circuitry in response to the environment during postnatal brain development. Although there is compelling evidence that shrinkage of dendritic spines coincides with synaptic long-term depression (LTD), and that LTD is accompanied by synapse loss, whether NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent LTD is a required step in the progression toward synapse pruning is still unknown. Using repeated applications of NMDA to induce LTD in dissociated rat neuronal cultures, we found that synapse density, as measured by colocalization of fluorescent markers for pre- and postsynaptic structures, was decreased irrespective of the presynaptic marker used, post-treatment recovery time, and the dendritic location of synapses. Consistent with previous studies, we found that synapse loss could occur without apparent net spine loss or cell death. Furthermore, synapse loss was unlikely to require direct contact with microglia, as the number of these cells was minimal in our culture preparations. Supporting a model by which NMDAR-LTD is required for synapse loss, the effect of NMDA on fluorescence colocalization was prevented by phosphatase and caspase inhibitors. In addition, gene transcription and protein translation also appeared to be required for loss of putative synapses. These data support the idea that NMDAR-dependent LTD is a required step in synapse pruning and contribute to our understanding of the basic mechanisms of this developmental process. PMID:27794462

  5. Delamination detection by Multi-Level Wavelet Processing of Continuous Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometry data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chiariotti, P.; Martarelli, M.; Revel, G. M.

    2017-12-01

    A novel non-destructive testing procedure for delamination detection based on the exploitation of the simultaneous time and spatial sampling provided by Continuous Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometry (CSLDV) and the feature extraction capability of Multi-Level wavelet-based processing is presented in this paper. The processing procedure consists in a multi-step approach. Once the optimal mother-wavelet is selected as the one maximizing the Energy to Shannon Entropy Ratio criterion among the mother-wavelet space, a pruning operation aiming at identifying the best combination of nodes inside the full-binary tree given by Wavelet Packet Decomposition (WPD) is performed. The pruning algorithm exploits, in double step way, a measure of the randomness of the point pattern distribution on the damage map space with an analysis of the energy concentration of the wavelet coefficients on those nodes provided by the first pruning operation. A combination of the point pattern distributions provided by each node of the ensemble node set from the pruning algorithm allows for setting a Damage Reliability Index associated to the final damage map. The effectiveness of the whole approach is proven on both simulated and real test cases. A sensitivity analysis related to the influence of noise on the CSLDV signal provided to the algorithm is also discussed, showing that the processing developed is robust enough to measurement noise. The method is promising: damages are well identified on different materials and for different damage-structure varieties.

  6. Comparison of prostate cancer gene 3 score, prostate health index and percentage free prostate-specific antigen for differentiating histological inflammation from prostate cancer and other non-neoplastic alterations of the prostate at initial biopsy.

    PubMed

    De Luca, Stefano; Passera, Roberto; Bollito, Enrico; Manfredi, Matteo; Scarpa, Roberto Mario; Sottile, Antonino; Randone, Donato Franco; Porpiglia, Francesco

    2014-12-01

    To determine if prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) score, Prostate Health Index (PHI), and percent free prostate-specific antigen (%fPSA) may be used to differentiate prostatitis from prostate cancer (PCa), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-PIN) in patients with elevated PSA and negative digital rectal examination (DRE). in the present prospective study, 274 patients, undergoing PCA3 score, PHI and %fPSA assessments before initial biopsy, were enrolled. Three multivariate logistic regression models were used to test PCA3 score, PHI and %fPSA as risk factors for prostatitis vs. PCa, vs. BPH, and vs. HG-PIN. All the analyses were performed for the whole patient cohort and for the 'gray zone' of PSA (4-10 ng/ml) cohort (188 individuals). The determinants for prostatitis vs. PCa were PCA3 score, PHI and %fPSA (Odds Ratio [OR]=0.97, 0.96 and 0.94, respectively). Unit increase of PHI was the only risk factor for prostatitis vs. BPH (OR=1.06), and unit increase of PCA3 score for HG-PIN vs. prostatitis (OR=0.98). In the 'gray zone' PSA cohort, the determinants for prostatitis vs. PCa were PCA3 score, PHI and %fPSA (OR=0.96, 0.94 and 0.92, respectively), PCA3 score and PHI for prostatitis vs. BPH (OR=0.96 and 1.08, respectively), and PCA3 score for prostatitis vs. HG-PIN (OR=0.97). The clinical benefit of using PCA3 score and PHI to estimate prostatitis vs. PCa was comparable; even %fPSA had good diagnostic performance, being a faster and cheaper marker. PHI was the only determinant for prostatitis vs. BPH, while PCA3 score for prostatitis vs. HG-PIN. Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

  7. Distal radius: anatomical morphometric gender characteristics. Do anatomical pre-shaped plates pay attention on it?

    PubMed

    Oppermann, Johannes; Bredow, Jan; Beyer, Frank; Neiss, Wolfram Friedrich; Spies, Christian K; Eysel, Peer; Dargel, Jens; Wacker, Max

    2015-01-01

    The purpose of the study was to investigate differences in the osseous structure anatomy of male and female distal radii. Morphometric data were obtained of 49 distal human cadaveric radii. An imprint of the distal edge was attained using silicone mass and the palmar cortical angle (PCA) of the lateral and intermediate column, here declared as medial, according to the concept of Rikli and Rigazzoni. The lateral and medial length and five widths were digitally measured by three observers. In order to compare the measurements an unpaired t test was used. To prove the reliability of the measurements an intraclass correlation analyses was done. Overall mean medial PCA was 148.25° (SD ± 6.83) and mean lateral PCA 156.07° (SD ± 7.00). In male specimens, the mean medial PCA was 147.38° (SD ± 6.01) and mean lateral PCA was 153.6° (SD ± 6.20) whereas in female specimens, the mean medial PCA was 149.41° (SD ± 7.79) and the mean lateral PCA 159.37° (SD ± 6.78), with statistical significance for the female lateral PCA. No gender significant difference for the medial PCA and no significant side difference for the PCA's could be found. The ICC of the observers was r = 0.936 and 0.976 for the medial and for lateral PCA 0.957-0.984. The palmar cortical length of the distal radius was significantly longer in male specimens. For all widths, larger values for male radii were measured, being statistically significant in all cases. Male dimensions concerning the wide were significantly larger when compared with females. Regarding the PCA at the medial and lateral column, we found significant difference for lateral PCA concerning the gender. Overall, study results demonstrated an angle of 148.25° ± 6.83 for the medial PCA and 156.07° ± 7.00 for the lateral PCA.

  8. Protocatechualdehyde possesses anti-cancer activity through downregulating cyclin D1 and HDAC2 in human colorectal cancer cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jeong, Jin Boo; Lee, Seong-Ho, E-mail: slee2000@umd.edu

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Protocatechualdehyde (PCA) suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer PCA enhanced transcriptional downregulation of cyclin D1 gene. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer PCA suppressed HDAC2 expression and activity. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer These findings suggest that anti-cancer activity of PCA may be mediated by reducing HDAC2-derived cyclin D1 expression. -- Abstract: Protocatechualdehyde (PCA) is a naturally occurring polyphenol found in barley, green cavendish bananas, and grapevine leaves. Although a few studies reported growth-inhibitory activity of PCA in breast and leukemia cancer cells, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Thus, we performed in vitro study to investigate if treatment ofmore » PCA affects cell proliferation and apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells and define potential mechanisms by which PCA mediates growth arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells. Exposure of PCA to human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116 and SW480 cells) suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis in dose-dependent manner. PCA decreased cyclin D1 expression in protein and mRNA level and suppressed luciferase activity of cyclin D1 promoter, indicating transcriptional downregulation of cyclin D1 gene by PCA. We also observed that PCA treatment attenuated enzyme activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and reduced expression of HDAC2, but not HDAC1. These findings suggest that cell growth inhibition and apoptosis by PCA may be a result of HDAC2-mediated cyclin D1 suppression.« less

  9. Prostate cancer antigen 3 gene expression in peripheral blood and urine sediments from prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia patients versus healthy individuals.

    PubMed

    Moradi Sardareh, Hemen; Goodarzi, Mohammad Taghi; Yadegar-Azari, Reza; Poorolajal, Jalal; Mousavi-Bahar, Seyed Habibollah; Saidijam, Massoud

    2014-11-30

    To determine the expression of prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) gene in peripheral blood and urine sediments from patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and normal subjects. A total number of 48 patients [24 with biopsy proven prostate cancer (PCa) and 24 with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)] were studied. Twenty-four healthy individuals were also recruited as control group. After blood and urine sampling, total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. Expression of PCA3 gene was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Comparison of PCA3 gene expression between control and BPH groups indicated no statistically significant differences in both urine and blood samples. Patients with PCa demonstrated an increased PCA3 gene expression rate compared to control and BPH groups (10.64 and 7.17 folds, respectively). The rate of fold increased PCA3 gene expression in urine was 20.90, 20.90, and 20.35 in patients with PCa, BPH and normal subjects, respectively. Evaluation of PCA3 gene expression can be considered as a reliable marker for detection of PCa. Increased level of this marker in urine sediments is more sensitive than blood for distinguishing between cancerous and non-cancerous groups. 

  10. Prostate Health Index (Phi) and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) Significantly Improve Prostate Cancer Detection at Initial Biopsy in a Total PSA Range of 2–10 ng/ml

    PubMed Central

    Perdonà, Sisto; Marino, Ada; Mazzarella, Claudia; Perruolo, Giuseppe; D’Esposito, Vittoria; Cosimato, Vincenzo; Buonerba, Carlo; Di Lorenzo, Giuseppe; Musi, Gennaro; De Cobelli, Ottavio; Chun, Felix K.; Terracciano, Daniela

    2013-01-01

    Many efforts to reduce prostate specific antigen (PSA) overdiagnosis and overtreatment have been made. To this aim, Prostate Health Index (Phi) and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) have been proposed as new more specific biomarkers. We evaluated the ability of phi and PCA3 to identify prostate cancer (PCa) at initial prostate biopsy in men with total PSA range of 2–10 ng/ml. The performance of phi and PCA3 were evaluated in 300 patients undergoing first prostate biopsy. ROC curve analyses tested the accuracy (AUC) of phi and PCA3 in predicting PCa. Decision curve analyses (DCA) were used to compare the clinical benefit of the two biomarkers. We found that the AUC value of phi (0.77) was comparable to those of %p2PSA (0.76) and PCA3 (0.73) with no significant differences in pairwise comparison (%p2PSA vs phi p = 0.673, %p2PSA vs. PCA3 p = 0.417 and phi vs. PCA3 p = 0.247). These three biomarkers significantly outperformed fPSA (AUC = 0.60), % fPSA (AUC = 0.62) and p2PSA (AUC = 0.63). At DCA, phi and PCA3 exhibited a very close net benefit profile until the threshold probability of 25%, then phi index showed higher net benefit than PCA3. Multivariable analysis showed that the addition of phi and PCA3 to the base multivariable model (age, PSA, %fPSA, DRE, prostate volume) increased predictive accuracy, whereas no model improved single biomarker performance. Finally we showed that subjects with active surveillance (AS) compatible cancer had significantly lower phi and PCA3 values (p<0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, both phi and PCA3 comparably increase the accuracy in predicting the presence of PCa in total PSA range 2–10 ng/ml at initial biopsy, outperforming currently used %fPSA. PMID:23861782

  11. Prostate Health Index (Phi) and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) significantly improve prostate cancer detection at initial biopsy in a total PSA range of 2-10 ng/ml.

    PubMed

    Ferro, Matteo; Bruzzese, Dario; Perdonà, Sisto; Marino, Ada; Mazzarella, Claudia; Perruolo, Giuseppe; D'Esposito, Vittoria; Cosimato, Vincenzo; Buonerba, Carlo; Di Lorenzo, Giuseppe; Musi, Gennaro; De Cobelli, Ottavio; Chun, Felix K; Terracciano, Daniela

    2013-01-01

    Many efforts to reduce prostate specific antigen (PSA) overdiagnosis and overtreatment have been made. To this aim, Prostate Health Index (Phi) and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) have been proposed as new more specific biomarkers. We evaluated the ability of phi and PCA3 to identify prostate cancer (PCa) at initial prostate biopsy in men with total PSA range of 2-10 ng/ml. The performance of phi and PCA3 were evaluated in 300 patients undergoing first prostate biopsy. ROC curve analyses tested the accuracy (AUC) of phi and PCA3 in predicting PCa. Decision curve analyses (DCA) were used to compare the clinical benefit of the two biomarkers. We found that the AUC value of phi (0.77) was comparable to those of %p2PSA (0.76) and PCA3 (0.73) with no significant differences in pairwise comparison (%p2PSA vs phi p = 0.673, %p2PSA vs. PCA3 p = 0.417 and phi vs. PCA3 p = 0.247). These three biomarkers significantly outperformed fPSA (AUC = 0.60), % fPSA (AUC = 0.62) and p2PSA (AUC = 0.63). At DCA, phi and PCA3 exhibited a very close net benefit profile until the threshold probability of 25%, then phi index showed higher net benefit than PCA3. Multivariable analysis showed that the addition of phi and PCA3 to the base multivariable model (age, PSA, %fPSA, DRE, prostate volume) increased predictive accuracy, whereas no model improved single biomarker performance. Finally we showed that subjects with active surveillance (AS) compatible cancer had significantly lower phi and PCA3 values (p<0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, both phi and PCA3 comparably increase the accuracy in predicting the presence of PCa in total PSA range 2-10 ng/ml at initial biopsy, outperforming currently used %fPSA.

  12. Identification of an IL-1-induced gene expression pattern in AR+ PCa cells that mimics the molecular phenotype of AR- PCa cells.

    PubMed

    Thomas-Jardin, Shayna E; Kanchwala, Mohammed S; Jacob, Joan; Merchant, Sana; Meade, Rachel K; Gahnim, Nagham M; Nawas, Afshan F; Xing, Chao; Delk, Nikki A

    2018-06-01

    In immunosurveillance, bone-derived immune cells infiltrate the tumor and secrete inflammatory cytokines to destroy cancer cells. However, cancer cells have evolved mechanisms to usurp inflammatory cytokines to promote tumor progression. In particular, the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1 (IL-1), is elevated in prostate cancer (PCa) patient tissue and serum, and promotes PCa bone metastasis. IL-1 also represses androgen receptor (AR) accumulation and activity in PCa cells, yet the cells remain viable and tumorigenic; suggesting that IL-1 may also contribute to AR-targeted therapy resistance. Furthermore, IL-1 and AR protein levels negatively correlate in PCa tumor cells. Taken together, we hypothesize that IL-1 reprograms AR positive (AR + ) PCa cells into AR negative (AR - ) PCa cells that co-opt IL-1 signaling to ensure AR-independent survival and tumor progression in the inflammatory tumor microenvironment. LNCaP and PC3 PCa cells were treated with IL-1β or HS-5 bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) conditioned medium and analyzed by RNA sequencing and RT-QPCR. To verify genes identified by RNA sequencing, LNCaP, MDA-PCa-2b, PC3, and DU145 PCa cell lines were treated with the IL-1 family members, IL-1α or IL-1β, or exposed to HS-5 BMSC in the presence or absence of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1RA). Treated cells were analyzed by western blot and/or RT-QPCR. Comparative analysis of sequencing data from the AR + LNCaP PCa cell line versus the AR - PC3 PCa cell line reveals an IL-1-conferred gene suite in LNCaP cells that is constitutive in PC3 cells. Bioinformatics analysis of the IL-1 regulated gene suite revealed that inflammatory and immune response pathways are primarily elicited; likely facilitating PCa cell survival and tumorigenicity in an inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Our data supports that IL-1 reprograms AR + PCa cells to mimic AR - PCa gene expression patterns that favor AR-targeted treatment resistance and cell survival. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  13. Multilevel principal component analysis (mPCA) in shape analysis: A feasibility study in medical and dental imaging.

    PubMed

    Farnell, D J J; Popat, H; Richmond, S

    2016-06-01

    Methods used in image processing should reflect any multilevel structures inherent in the image dataset or they run the risk of functioning inadequately. We wish to test the feasibility of multilevel principal components analysis (PCA) to build active shape models (ASMs) for cases relevant to medical and dental imaging. Multilevel PCA was used to carry out model fitting to sets of landmark points and it was compared to the results of "standard" (single-level) PCA. Proof of principle was tested by applying mPCA to model basic peri-oral expressions (happy, neutral, sad) approximated to the junction between the mouth/lips. Monte Carlo simulations were used to create this data which allowed exploration of practical implementation issues such as the number of landmark points, number of images, and number of groups (i.e., "expressions" for this example). To further test the robustness of the method, mPCA was subsequently applied to a dental imaging dataset utilising landmark points (placed by different clinicians) along the boundary of mandibular cortical bone in panoramic radiographs of the face. Changes of expression that varied between groups were modelled correctly at one level of the model and changes in lip width that varied within groups at another for the Monte Carlo dataset. Extreme cases in the test dataset were modelled adequately by mPCA but not by standard PCA. Similarly, variations in the shape of the cortical bone were modelled by one level of mPCA and variations between the experts at another for the panoramic radiographs dataset. Results for mPCA were found to be comparable to those of standard PCA for point-to-point errors via miss-one-out testing for this dataset. These errors reduce with increasing number of eigenvectors/values retained, as expected. We have shown that mPCA can be used in shape models for dental and medical image processing. mPCA was found to provide more control and flexibility when compared to standard "single-level" PCA. Specifically, mPCA is preferable to "standard" PCA when multiple levels occur naturally in the dataset. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. PCA3 noncoding RNA is involved in the control of prostate-cancer cell survival and modulates androgen receptor signaling

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background PCA3 is a non-coding RNA (ncRNA) that is highly expressed in prostate cancer (PCa) cells, but its functional role is unknown. To investigate its putative function in PCa biology, we used gene expression knockdown by small interference RNA, and also analyzed its involvement in androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Methods LNCaP and PC3 cells were used as in vitro models for these functional assays, and three different siRNA sequences were specifically designed to target PCA3 exon 4. Transfected cells were analyzed by real-time qRT-PCR and cell growth, viability, and apoptosis assays. Associations between PCA3 and the androgen-receptor (AR) signaling pathway were investigated by treating LNCaP cells with 100 nM dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and with its antagonist (flutamide), and analyzing the expression of some AR-modulated genes (TMPRSS2, NDRG1, GREB1, PSA, AR, FGF8, CdK1, CdK2 and PMEPA1). PCA3 expression levels were investigated in different cell compartments by using differential centrifugation and qRT-PCR. Results LNCaP siPCA3-transfected cells significantly inhibited cell growth and viability, and increased the proportion of cells in the sub G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and the percentage of pyknotic nuclei, compared to those transfected with scramble siRNA (siSCr)-transfected cells. DHT-treated LNCaP cells induced a significant upregulation of PCA3 expression, which was reversed by flutamide. In siPCA3/LNCaP-transfected cells, the expression of AR target genes was downregulated compared to siSCr-transfected cells. The siPCA3 transfection also counteracted DHT stimulatory effects on the AR signaling cascade, significantly downregulating expression of the AR target gene. Analysis of PCA3 expression in different cell compartments provided evidence that the main functional roles of PCA3 occur in the nuclei and microsomal cell fractions. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the ncRNA PCA3 is involved in the control of PCa cell survival, in part through modulating AR signaling, which may raise new possibilities of using PCA3 knockdown as an additional therapeutic strategy for PCa control. PMID:23130941

  15. Curcumin Suppresses In Vitro Proliferation and Invasion of Human Prostate Cancer Stem Cells by Modulating DLK1-DIO3 Imprinted Gene Cluster MicroRNAs.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Hu; Zheng, Jiajia; Shen, Hongliang; Huang, Yongyi; Liu, Te; Xi, Hao; Chen, Chuan

    2018-01-01

    Curcumin can suppress human prostate cancer (HuPCa) cell proliferation and invasion. However, it is not known whether curcumin can inhibit HuPCa stem cell (HuPCaSC) proliferation and invasion. We used methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and Transwell assays to examine the proliferation and invasion of the HuPCaSC lines DU145 and 22Rv1 following curcumin or dimethyl sulfoxide (control) treatment. The microRNA (miRNA) expression levels in the DLK1-DIO3 imprinted genomic region in the cells and in tumor tissues from patients with PCa were examined using microarray and quantitative PCR. The median inhibitory concentration of curcumin for HuPCa cells significantly inhibited HuPCaSC proliferation and invasion in vitro. The miR-770-5p and miR-1247 expression levels in the DLK1-DIO3 imprinted gene cluster were significantly different between the curcumin-treated and control HuPCaSCs. Overexpression of these positive miRNAs significantly increased the inhibition rates of miR-770-5p- and miR-1247-transfected HuPCaSCs compared to the control miR-Mut-transfected HuPCaSCs. Lastly, low-tumor grade PCa tissues had higher miR-770-5p and miR-1247 expression levels than high-grade tumor tissues. Curcumin can suppress HuPCaSC proliferation and invasion in vitro by modulating specific miRNAs in the DLK1-DIO3 imprinted gene cluster.

  16. A stable pattern of EEG spectral coherence distinguishes children with autism from neuro-typical controls - a large case control study.

    PubMed

    Duffy, Frank H; Als, Heidelise

    2012-06-26

    The autism rate has recently increased to 1 in 100 children. Genetic studies demonstrate poorly understood complexity. Environmental factors apparently also play a role. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrate increased brain sizes and altered connectivity. Electroencephalogram (EEG) coherence studies confirm connectivity changes. However, genetic-, MRI- and/or EEG-based diagnostic tests are not yet available. The varied study results likely reflect methodological and population differences, small samples and, for EEG, lack of attention to group-specific artifact. Of the 1,304 subjects who participated in this study, with ages ranging from 1 to 18 years old and assessed with comparable EEG studies, 463 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); 571 children were neuro-typical controls (C). After artifact management, principal components analysis (PCA) identified EEG spectral coherence factors with corresponding loading patterns. The 2- to 12-year-old subsample consisted of 430 ASD- and 554 C-group subjects (n = 984). Discriminant function analysis (DFA) determined the spectral coherence factors' discrimination success for the two groups. Loading patterns on the DFA-selected coherence factors described ASD-specific coherence differences when compared to controls. Total sample PCA of coherence data identified 40 factors which explained 50.8% of the total population variance. For the 2- to 12-year-olds, the 40 factors showed highly significant group differences (P < 0.0001). Ten randomly generated split half replications demonstrated high-average classification success (C, 88.5%; ASD, 86.0%). Still higher success was obtained in the more restricted age sub-samples using the jackknifing technique: 2- to 4-year-olds (C, 90.6%; ASD, 98.1%); 4- to 6-year-olds (C, 90.9%; ASD 99.1%); and 6- to 12-year-olds (C, 98.7%; ASD, 93.9%). Coherence loadings demonstrated reduced short-distance and reduced, as well as increased, long-distance coherences for the ASD-groups, when compared to the controls. Average spectral loading per factor was wide (10.1 Hz). Classification success suggests a stable coherence loading pattern that differentiates ASD- from C-group subjects. This might constitute an EEG coherence-based phenotype of childhood autism. The predominantly reduced short-distance coherences may indicate poor local network function. The increased long-distance coherences may represent compensatory processes or reduced neural pruning. The wide average spectral range of factor loadings may suggest over-damped neural networks.

  17. Beyond textbook neuroanatomy: The syndrome of malignant PCA infarction.

    PubMed

    Gogela, Steven L; Gozal, Yair M; Rahme, Ralph; Zuccarello, Mario; Ringer, Andrew J

    2015-01-01

    Given its limited vascular territory, occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) usually does not result in malignant infarction. Challenging this concept, we present 3 cases of unilateral PCA infarction with secondary malignant progression, resulting from extension into what would classically be considered the posterior middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. Interestingly, these were true PCA infarctions, not "MCA plus" strokes, since the underlying occlusive lesion was in the PCA. We hypothesize that congenital and/or acquired variability in the distribution and extent of territory supplied by the PCA may underlie this rare clinical entity. Patients with a PCA infarction should thus be followed closely and offered early surgical decompression in the event of malignant progression.

  18. Androgen Receptor Expression in Epithelial and Stromal Cells of Prostatic Carcinoma and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

    PubMed

    Filipovski, Vanja; Kubelka-Sabit, Katerina; Jasar, Dzengis; Janevska, Vesna

    2017-08-15

    Prostatic carcinoma (PCa) derives from prostatic epithelial cells. However stromal microenvironment, associated with malignant epithelium, also plays a role in prostatic carcinogenesis. Alterations in prostatic stromal cells contribute to the loss of growth control in epithelial cells that lead to progression of PCa. To analyse the differences between Androgen Receptor (AR) expression in both epithelial and stromal cells in PCa and the surrounding benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to compare the results with tumour grade. Samples from 70 cases of radical prostatectomy specimens were used. The expression and intensity of the signal for AR was analysed in the epithelial and stromal cells of PCa and BPH, and the data was quantified using histological score (H-score). AR showed significantly lower expression in both epithelial and stromal cells of PCa compared to BPH. In PCa a significant positive correlation of AR expression was found between stromal and epithelial cells of PCa. AR expression showed a correlation between the stromal cells of PCa and tumour grade. AR expression is reduced in epithelial and stromal cells of PCa. Expression of AR in stromal cells of PCa significantly correlates with tumour grade.

  19. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Das, Dibash K.; The Graduate Center Departments of Biology and Biochemistry, The City University of New York, New York, NY 10016; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065

    Prostate cancer (PCa) is frequently diagnosed in men, and dysregulation of microRNAs is characteristic of many cancers. MicroRNA-1207-3p is encoded at the non-protein coding gene locus PVT1 on the 8q24 human chromosomal region, an established PCa susceptibility locus. However, the role of microRNA-1207-3p in PCa is unclear. We discovered that microRNA-1207-3p is significantly underexpressed in PCa cell lines in comparison to normal prostate epithelial cells. Increased expression of microRNA-1207-3p in PCa cells significantly inhibits proliferation, migration, and induces apoptosis via direct molecular targeting of FNDC1, a protein which contains a conserved protein domain of fibronectin (FN1). FNDC1, FN1, and themore » androgen receptor (AR) are significantly overexpressed in PCa cell lines and human PCa, and positively correlate with aggressive PCa. Prostate tumor FN1 expression in patients that experienced PCa-specific death is significantly higher than in patients that remained alive. Furthermore, FNDC1, FN1 and AR are concomitantly overexpressed in metastatic PCa. Consequently, these studies have revealed a novel microRNA-1207-3p/FNDC1/FN1/AR regulatory pathway in PCa. - Graphical abstract: miR-1207-3p/FNDC1/FN1/AR is a novel regulatory pathway in prostate cancer. - Highlights: • Expression of microRNA-1207-3p is significantly lost in prostate cancer (PCa) cells. • MicroRNA-1207-3p regulates proliferation, apoptosis, and migration via direct molecular targeting of the 3′UTR of FNDC1. • MicroRNA-1207-3p regulates proliferation, apoptosis, and migration via direct molecular targeting of the 3′UTR of FNDC1. • FNDC1, FN1, and AR are concurrently overexpressed in metastatic PCa.« less

  20. Improvement of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis by Detecting PSA Glycosylation-Specific Changes.

    PubMed

    Llop, Esther; Ferrer-Batallé, Montserrat; Barrabés, Sílvia; Guerrero, Pedro Enrique; Ramírez, Manel; Saldova, Radka; Rudd, Pauline M; Aleixandre, Rosa N; Comet, Josep; de Llorens, Rafael; Peracaula, Rosa

    2016-01-01

    New markers based on PSA isoforms have recently been developed to improve prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. However, novel approaches are still required to differentiate aggressive from non-aggressive PCa to improve decision making for patients. PSA glycoforms have been shown to be differentially expressed in PCa. In particular, changes in the extent of core fucosylation and sialylation of PSA N-glycans in PCa patients compared to healthy controls or BPH patients have been reported. The objective of this study was to determine these specific glycan structures in serum PSA to analyze their potential value as markers for discriminating between BPH and PCa of different aggressiveness. In the present work, we have established two methodologies to analyze the core fucosylation and the sialic acid linkage of PSA N-glycans in serum samples from BPH (29) and PCa (44) patients with different degrees of aggressiveness. We detected a significant decrease in the core fucose and an increase in the α2,3-sialic acid percentage of PSA in high-risk PCa that differentiated BPH and low-risk PCa from high-risk PCa patients. In particular, a cut-off value of 0.86 of the PSA core fucose ratio, could distinguish high-risk PCa patients from BPH with 90% sensitivity and 95% specificity, with an AUC of 0.94. In the case of the α2,3-sialic acid percentage of PSA, the cut-off value of 30% discriminated between high-risk PCa and the group of BPH, low-, and intermediate-risk PCa with a sensitivity and specificity of 85.7% and 95.5%, respectively, with an AUC of 0.97. The latter marker exhibited high performance in differentiating between aggressive and non-aggressive PCa and has the potential for translational application in the clinic.

  1. Improvement of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis by Detecting PSA Glycosylation-Specific Changes

    PubMed Central

    Llop, Esther; Ferrer-Batallé, Montserrat; Barrabés, Sílvia; Guerrero, Pedro Enrique; Ramírez, Manel; Saldova, Radka; Rudd, Pauline M.; Aleixandre, Rosa N.; Comet, Josep; de Llorens, Rafael; Peracaula, Rosa

    2016-01-01

    New markers based on PSA isoforms have recently been developed to improve prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. However, novel approaches are still required to differentiate aggressive from non-aggressive PCa to improve decision making for patients. PSA glycoforms have been shown to be differentially expressed in PCa. In particular, changes in the extent of core fucosylation and sialylation of PSA N-glycans in PCa patients compared to healthy controls or BPH patients have been reported. The objective of this study was to determine these specific glycan structures in serum PSA to analyze their potential value as markers for discriminating between BPH and PCa of different aggressiveness. In the present work, we have established two methodologies to analyze the core fucosylation and the sialic acid linkage of PSA N-glycans in serum samples from BPH (29) and PCa (44) patients with different degrees of aggressiveness. We detected a significant decrease in the core fucose and an increase in the α2,3-sialic acid percentage of PSA in high-risk PCa that differentiated BPH and low-risk PCa from high-risk PCa patients. In particular, a cut-off value of 0.86 of the PSA core fucose ratio, could distinguish high-risk PCa patients from BPH with 90% sensitivity and 95% specificity, with an AUC of 0.94. In the case of the α2,3-sialic acid percentage of PSA, the cut-off value of 30% discriminated between high-risk PCa and the group of BPH, low-, and intermediate-risk PCa with a sensitivity and specificity of 85.7% and 95.5%, respectively, with an AUC of 0.97. The latter marker exhibited high performance in differentiating between aggressive and non-aggressive PCa and has the potential for translational application in the clinic. PMID:27279911

  2. Environmental Impact Research Program and Defense Natural Resources Program: Section 7.5.7, US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-02-01

    throated sparrow (Z. albicollis) X X Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) X X Fox sparrow (Passerella iliaca) X X Mammals Opossum (Didelphis virginiana ) X...cm) and should not be less than 0.38 in. (0.4 cm). When Ellagood is pruned severely, an abundance of new shoots are produced (SCS, undated). Planting...Holes for the plants should be deep enough to take the full root without bending. Unusually long roots and tops may be pruned to 6 in. (15.2 cm) if

  3. Design of the VISITOR Tool: A Versatile ImpulSive Interplanetary Trajectory OptimizeR

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Corpaccioli, Luca; Linskens, Harry; Komar, David R.

    2014-01-01

    The design of trajectories for interplanetary missions represents one of the most complex and important problems to solve during conceptual space mission design. To facilitate conceptual mission sizing activities, it is essential to obtain sufficiently accurate trajectories in a fast and repeatable manner. To this end, the VISITOR tool was developed. This tool modularly augments a patched conic MGA-1DSM model with a mass model, launch window analysis, and the ability to simulate more realistic arrival and departure operations. This was implemented in MATLAB, exploiting the built-in optimization tools and vector analysis routines. The chosen optimization strategy uses a grid search and pattern search, an iterative variable grid method. A genetic algorithm can be selectively used to improve search space pruning, at the cost of losing the repeatability of the results and increased computation time. The tool was validated against seven flown missions: the average total mission (Delta)V offset from the nominal trajectory was 9.1%, which was reduced to 7.3% when using the genetic algorithm at the cost of an increase in computation time by a factor 5.7. It was found that VISITOR was well-suited for the conceptual design of interplanetary trajectories, while also facilitating future improvements due to its modular structure.

  4. Eugene--a domain specific language for specifying and constraining synthetic biological parts, devices, and systems.

    PubMed

    Bilitchenko, Lesia; Liu, Adam; Cheung, Sherine; Weeding, Emma; Xia, Bing; Leguia, Mariana; Anderson, J Christopher; Densmore, Douglas

    2011-04-29

    Synthetic biological systems are currently created by an ad-hoc, iterative process of specification, design, and assembly. These systems would greatly benefit from a more formalized and rigorous specification of the desired system components as well as constraints on their composition. Therefore, the creation of robust and efficient design flows and tools is imperative. We present a human readable language (Eugene) that allows for the specification of synthetic biological designs based on biological parts, as well as provides a very expressive constraint system to drive the automatic creation of composite Parts (Devices) from a collection of individual Parts. We illustrate Eugene's capabilities in three different areas: Device specification, design space exploration, and assembly and simulation integration. These results highlight Eugene's ability to create combinatorial design spaces and prune these spaces for simulation or physical assembly. Eugene creates functional designs quickly and cost-effectively. Eugene is intended for forward engineering of DNA-based devices, and through its data types and execution semantics, reflects the desired abstraction hierarchy in synthetic biology. Eugene provides a powerful constraint system which can be used to drive the creation of new devices at runtime. It accomplishes all of this while being part of a larger tool chain which includes support for design, simulation, and physical device assembly.

  5. Spectral unmixing of urban land cover using a generic library approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Degerickx, Jeroen; Lordache, Marian-Daniel; Okujeni, Akpona; Hermy, Martin; van der Linden, Sebastian; Somers, Ben

    2016-10-01

    Remote sensing based land cover classification in urban areas generally requires the use of subpixel classification algorithms to take into account the high spatial heterogeneity. These spectral unmixing techniques often rely on spectral libraries, i.e. collections of pure material spectra (endmembers, EM), which ideally cover the large EM variability typically present in urban scenes. Despite the advent of several (semi-) automated EM detection algorithms, the collection of such image-specific libraries remains a tedious and time-consuming task. As an alternative, we suggest the use of a generic urban EM library, containing material spectra under varying conditions, acquired from different locations and sensors. This approach requires an efficient EM selection technique, capable of only selecting those spectra relevant for a specific image. In this paper, we evaluate and compare the potential of different existing library pruning algorithms (Iterative Endmember Selection and MUSIC) using simulated hyperspectral (APEX) data of the Brussels metropolitan area. In addition, we develop a new hybrid EM selection method which is shown to be highly efficient in dealing with both imagespecific and generic libraries, subsequently yielding more robust land cover classification results compared to existing methods. Future research will include further optimization of the proposed algorithm and additional tests on both simulated and real hyperspectral data.

  6. Testing the impact of a multimedia video CD of patient-controlled analgesia on pain knowledge and pain relief in patients receiving surgery.

    PubMed

    Chen, Hsing-Hsia; Yeh, Mei-Ling; Yang, Hui-Ju

    2005-07-01

    This study aimed to develop a multimedia video CD (VCD) of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and test its effects on pain knowledge and pain relief in patients receiving surgery. This multimedia VCD of PCA was created to convey fundamental knowledge to both patients and their family members and help patients properly utilize PCA devices to relieve pain and improve recovery. The content of multimedia VCD of PCA included pre-admission pain education, introduction of PCA, nursing care procedures, and questions and answers. This study used a quasi-experimental research design to test effects of the multimedia education program in the experimental group of 30 subjects compared to the control subjects of equal number (without the multimedia VCD of PCA). (1) The intervention of multimedia VCD of PCA resulted in a statistically significant difference in pain knowledge between the experimental and control groups. (2) Subjects in the experimental group obtained a better outcome of pain relief compared to control subjects. (3) Subjects in the experimental group indicated that the multimedia VCD of PCA indeed helped them effectively operate their PCA devices to relieve surgery pain. The clinical application of the multimedia VCD of PCA could help patients improve knowledge on pain, learn how to use PCA devices, achieve proper pain relief, and increase effectiveness of recovery activities.

  7. Circular RNA Myosin Light Chain Kinase (MYLK) Promotes Prostate Cancer Progression through Modulating Mir-29a Expression.

    PubMed

    Dai, Yuanqing; Li, Dongjie; Chen, Xiong; Tan, Xinji; Gu, Jie; Chen, Mingquan; Zhang, Xiaobo

    2018-05-25

    BACKGROUND In developed countries, prostate cancer (PCa) is a frequently diagnosed cancer with the second highest fatality rate. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogenous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) stably expressed in cells and involved in a series of carcinomas. However, few research studies have reported on the role of circRNAs in PCa. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression of circMYLK (circRNA ID: hsa_circ_0141940) and miR-29a in PCa tissues and cell lines. MTT, colony formation, and TUNEL assays were performed to analysis the cell viability of PCa cells. Transwell and wound scratch assays were performed to investigate the cell invasion and migration of PCa cells. RESULTS In the present study, we confirmed that circMYLK expression level was significantly higher in PCa samples and PCa cells than in normal tissues and normal prostatic cells. The upregulated circRNA-MYLK promoted PCa cells proliferation, invasion, and migration; however, si-circRNA-MYLK significantly accelerated the PCa cell apoptosis. We also observed that the aforementioned function of circRNA-MYLK on PCa cells was affected through targeting miR-29a. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed circRNA-MYLK was an oncogene in PCa and revealed a novel mechanism underlying circRNA-MYLK in PC progression.

  8. The theoretical and experimental study on dicalcium phosphate dehydrate loading with protocatechuic aldehyde.

    PubMed

    Guo, Yuehua; Qu, Shuxin; Lu, Xiong; Xie, Haodong; Zhang, Hongping; Weng, Jie

    2010-07-01

    The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO(4) x 2H(2)O, DCPD) and Protocatechuic aldehyde (C(7)H(6)O(3), Pca), which is the water-soluble constituents of Chinese Medicine, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bunge (SMB), by calculating the absorption energy through molecular dynamics simulation. Furthermore, the effects of functional groups of Pca and temperature on Pca adsorbed by DCPD are calculated respectively. DCPD/Pca and DCPD were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The simulation results showed that Pca mostly absorbed on the (0 2 0) surface of DCPD. The aldehyde group of Pca played a moren important role on the adsorption of Pca on DCPD than hydroxyl did, while temperature had no distinct effects on the adsorption. XRD results indicated that Pca induced the preferential growth of (0 2 0) crystal surface in DCPC/Pca whereas it had no influence on the crystal structure, the crystallinity and grain size of DCPD. FTIR and TG results showed that the characteristic peak of Pca was at 1295 cm(-1) and the content of Pca in DCPD was 16%, respectively. The present results show that molecular dynamics simulation is a very effective and complementary method to study the interaction between materials and medicine.

  9. Applying robust variant of Principal Component Analysis as a damage detector in the presence of outliers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gharibnezhad, Fahit; Mujica, Luis E.; Rodellar, José

    2015-01-01

    Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has received considerable attention over the past few years. PCA has been used not only as a direct method to identify, classify and localize damages but also as a significant primary step for other methods. Despite several positive specifications that PCA conveys, it is very sensitive to outliers. Outliers are anomalous observations that can affect the variance and the covariance as vital parts of PCA method. Therefore, the results based on PCA in the presence of outliers are not fully satisfactory. As a main contribution, this work suggests the use of robust variant of PCA not sensitive to outliers, as an effective way to deal with this problem in SHM field. In addition, the robust PCA is compared with the classical PCA in the sense of detecting probable damages. The comparison between the results shows that robust PCA can distinguish the damages much better than using classical one, and even in many cases allows the detection where classic PCA is not able to discern between damaged and non-damaged structures. Moreover, different types of robust PCA are compared with each other as well as with classical counterpart in the term of damage detection. All the results are obtained through experiments with an aircraft turbine blade using piezoelectric transducers as sensors and actuators and adding simulated damages.

  10. Optimizing the clinical utility of PCA3 to diagnose prostate cancer in initial prostate biopsy.

    PubMed

    Rubio-Briones, Jose; Borque, Angel; Esteban, Luis M; Casanova, Juan; Fernandez-Serra, Antonio; Rubio, Luis; Casanova-Salas, Irene; Sanz, Gerardo; Domínguez-Escrig, Jose; Collado, Argimiro; Gómez-Ferrer, Alvaro; Iborra, Inmaculada; Ramírez-Backhaus, Miguel; Martínez, Francisco; Calatrava, Ana; Lopez-Guerrero, Jose A

    2015-09-11

    PCA3 has been included in a nomogram outperforming previous clinical models for the prediction of any prostate cancer (PCa) and high grade PCa (HGPCa) at the initial prostate biopsy (IBx). Our objective is to validate such IBx-specific PCA3-based nomogram. We also aim to optimize the use of this nomogram in clinical practice through the definition of risk groups. Independent external validation. Clinical and biopsy data from a contemporary cohort of 401 men with the same inclusion criteria to those used to build up the reference's nomogram in IBx. The predictive value of the nomogram was assessed by means of calibration curves and discrimination ability through the area under the curve (AUC). Clinical utility of the nomogram was analyzed by choosing thresholds points that minimize the overlapping between probability density functions (PDF) in PCa and no PCa and HGPCa and no HGPCa groups, and net benefit was assessed by decision curves. We detect 28% of PCa and 11 % of HGPCa in IBx, contrasting to the 46 and 20% at the reference series. Due to this, there is an overestimation of the nomogram probabilities shown in the calibration curve for PCa. The AUC values are 0.736 for PCa (C.I.95%:0.68-0.79) and 0.786 for HGPCa (C.I.95%:0.71-0.87) showing an adequate discrimination ability. PDF show differences in the distributions of nomogram probabilities in PCa and not PCa patient groups. A minimization of the overlapping between these curves confirms the threshold probability of harboring PCa >30 % proposed by Hansen is useful to indicate a IBx, but a cut-off > 40% could be better in series of opportunistic screening like ours. Similar results appear in HGPCa analysis. The decision curve also shows a net benefit of 6.31% for the threshold probability of 40%. PCA3 is an useful tool to select patients for IBx. Patients with a calculated probability of having PCa over 40% should be counseled to undergo an IBx if opportunistic screening is required.

  11. Pain Levels Within 24 Hours After UFE: A Comparison of Morphine and Fentanyl Patient-Controlled Analgesia

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kim, Hyun S., E-mail: sikhkim@jhmi.edu; Czuczman, Gregory J.; Nicholson, Wanda K.

    The purpose of this study was to assess the presence and severity of pain levels during 24 h after uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) for symptomatic leiomyomata and compare the effectiveness and adverse effects of morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) versus fentanyl PCA. We carried out a prospective, nonrandomized study of 200 consecutive women who received UFE and morphine or fentanyl PCA after UFE. Pain perception levels were obtained on a 0-10 scale for the 24-h period after UFE. Linear regression methods were used to determine pain trends and differences in pain trends between two groups and the association between pain scoresmore » and patient covariates. One hundred eighty-five patients (92.5%) reported greater-than-baseline pain after UFE, and 198 patients (99%) required IV opioid PCA. One hundred thirty-six patients (68.0%) developed nausea during the 24-h period. Seventy-two patients (36%) received morphine PCA and 128 (64%) received fentanyl PCA, without demographic differences. The mean dose of morphine used was 33.8 {+-} 26.7 mg, while the mean dose of fentanyl was 698.7 {+-} 537.4 {mu}g. Using this regimen, patients who received morphine PCA had significantly lower pain levels than those who received fentanyl PCA (p < 0.0001). We conclude that patients develop pain requiring IV opioid PCA within 24 h after UFE. Morphine PCA is more effective in reducing post-uterine artery embolization pain than fentanyl PCA. Nausea is a significant adverse effect from opioid PCA.« less

  12. Flight test of a propulsion controlled aircraft system on the NASA F-15 airplane

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burcham, Frank W., Jr.; Maine, Trindel A.

    1995-01-01

    Flight tests of the propulsion controlled aircraft (PCA) system on the NASA F-15 airplane evolved as a result of a long series of simulation and flight tests. Initially, the simulation results were very optimistic. Early flight tests showed that manual throttles-only control was much more difficult than the simulation, and a flight investigation was flown to acquire data to resolve this discrepancy. The PCA system designed and developed by MDA evolved as these discrepancies were found and resolved, requiring redesign of the PCA software and modification of the flight test plan. Small throttle step inputs were flown to provide data for analysis, simulation update, and control logic modification. The PCA flight tests quickly revealed less than desired performance, but the extensive flexibility built into the flight PCA software allowed rapid evaluation of alternate gains, filters, and control logic, and within 2 weeks, the PCA system was functioning well. The initial objective of achieving adequate control for up-and-away flying and approaches was satisfied, and the option to continue to actual landings was achieved. After the PCA landings were accomplished, other PCA features were added, and additional maneuvers beyond those originally planned were flown. The PCA system was used to recover from extreme upset conditions, descend, and make approaches to landing. A heading mode was added, and a single engine plus rudder PCA mode was also added and flown. The PCA flight envelope was expanded far beyond that originally designed for. Guest pilots from the USAF, USN, NASA, and the contractor also flew the PCA system and were favorably impressed.

  13. An In Vitro Spectroscopic Analysis to Determine Whether para-Chloroaniline is Produced from Mixing Sodium Hypochlorite and Chlorhexidine

    PubMed Central

    Thomas, John E.; Sem, Daniel S.

    2009-01-01

    Introduction The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine whether para-chloroaniline (PCA) is formed through the reaction of mixing sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX). Methods Initially commercially available samples of chlorhexidine acetate (CHXa) and PCA were analyzed with 1H NMR spectroscopy. Two solutions, NaOCl and CHXa, were warmed to 37°C and when mixed they produced a brown precipitate. This precipitate was separated in half and pure PCA was added to one of the samples for comparison before they were each analyzed with 1H NMR spectroscopy. Results The peaks in the 1H NMR spectra of CHXa and PCA were assigned to specific protons of the molecules, and the location of the aromatic peaks in the PCA spectrum defined the PCA doublet region. While the spectrum of the precipitate alone resulted in a complex combination of peaks, upon magnification there were no peaks in the PCA doublet region which were intense enough to be quantified. In the spectrum of the precipitate, to which PCA was added, two peaks do appear in the PCA doublet region. Comparing this spectrum to that of precipitate alone, the peaks in the PCA doublet region are not visible prior to the addition of PCA. Conclusions Based on this in vitro study, the reaction mixture of NaOCl and CHXa does not produce PCA at any measurable quantity and further investigation is needed to determine the chemical composition of the brown precipitate. PMID:20113799

  14. External validation of a PCA-3-based nomogram for predicting prostate cancer and high-grade cancer on initial prostate biopsy.

    PubMed

    Greene, Daniel J; Elshafei, Ahmed; Nyame, Yaw A; Kara, Onder; Malkoc, Ercan; Gao, Tianming; Jones, J Stephen

    2016-08-01

    The aim of this study was to externally validate a previously developed PCA3-based nomogram for the prediction of prostate cancer (PCa) and high-grade (intermediate and/or high-grade) prostate cancer (HGPCa) at the time of initial prostate biopsy. A retrospective review was performed on a cohort of 336 men from a large urban academic medical center. All men had serum PSA <20 ng/ml and underwent initial transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy with at least 10 cores sampling for suspicious exam and/or elevated PSA. Covariates were collected for the nomogram and included age, ethnicity, family history (FH) of PCa, PSA at diagnosis, PCA3, total prostate volume (TPV), and abnormal finding on digital rectal exam (DRE). These variables were used to test the accuracy (concordance index) and calibration of a previously published PCA3 nomogram. Biopsy confirms PCa and HGPCa in 51.0% and 30.4% of validation patients, respectively. This differed from the original cohort in that it had significantly more PCa and HGPCA (51% vs. 44%, P = 0.019; and 30.4% vs. 19.1%, P < 0.001). Despite the differences in PCa detection the concordance index was 75% and 77% for overall PCa and HGPCa, respectively. Calibration for overall PCa was good. This represents the first external validation of a PCA3-based prostate cancer predictive nomogram in a North American population. Prostate 76:1019-1023, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  15. Nuclear Forensic Inferences Using Iterative Multidimensional Statistics

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Robel, M; Kristo, M J; Heller, M A

    2009-06-09

    Nuclear forensics involves the analysis of interdicted nuclear material for specific material characteristics (referred to as 'signatures') that imply specific geographical locations, production processes, culprit intentions, etc. Predictive signatures rely on expert knowledge of physics, chemistry, and engineering to develop inferences from these material characteristics. Comparative signatures, on the other hand, rely on comparison of the material characteristics of the interdicted sample (the 'questioned sample' in FBI parlance) with those of a set of known samples. In the ideal case, the set of known samples would be a comprehensive nuclear forensics database, a database which does not currently exist. Inmore » fact, our ability to analyze interdicted samples and produce an extensive list of precise materials characteristics far exceeds our ability to interpret the results. Therefore, as we seek to develop the extensive databases necessary for nuclear forensics, we must also develop the methods necessary to produce the necessary inferences from comparison of our analytical results with these large, multidimensional sets of data. In the work reported here, we used a large, multidimensional dataset of results from quality control analyses of uranium ore concentrate (UOC, sometimes called 'yellowcake'). We have found that traditional multidimensional techniques, such as principal components analysis (PCA), are especially useful for understanding such datasets and drawing relevant conclusions. In particular, we have developed an iterative partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) procedure that has proven especially adept at identifying the production location of unknown UOC samples. By removing classes which fell far outside the initial decision boundary, and then rebuilding the PLS-DA model, we have consistently produced better and more definitive attributions than with a single pass classification approach. Performance of the iterative PLS-DA method compared favorably to that of classification and regression tree (CART) and k nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithms, with the best combination of accuracy and robustness, as tested by classifying samples measured independently in our laboratories against the vendor QC based reference set.« less

  16. Does adding ketamine to morphine patient-controlled analgesia safely improve post-thoracotomy pain?

    PubMed

    Mathews, Timothy J; Churchhouse, Antonia M D; Housden, Tessa; Dunning, Joel

    2012-02-01

    A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'is the addition of ketamine to morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) following thoracic surgery superior to morphine alone'. Altogether 201 papers were found using the reported search, of which nine represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. This consisted of one systematic review of PCA morphine with ketamine (PCA-MK) trials, one meta-analysis of PCA-MK trials, four randomized controlled trials of PCA-MK, one meta-analysis of trials using a variety of peri-operative ketamine regimes and two cohort studies of PCA-MK. Main outcomes measured included pain score rated on visual analogue scale, morphine consumption and incidence of psychotomimetic side effects/hallucination. Two papers reported the measurements of respiratory function. This evidence shows that adding ketamine to morphine PCA is safe, with a reported incidence of hallucination requiring intervention of 2.9%, and a meta-analysis finding an incidence of all central nervous system side effects of 18% compared with 15% with morphine alone, P = 0.31, RR 1.27 with 95% CI (0.8-2.01). All randomized controlled trials of its use following thoracic surgery found no hallucination or psychological side effect. All five studies in thoracic surgery (n = 243) found reduced morphine requirements with PCA-MK. Pain scores were significantly lower in PCA-MK patients in thoracic surgery papers, with one paper additionally reporting increased patient satisfaction. However, no significant improvement was found in a meta-analysis of five papers studying PCA-MK in a variety of surgical settings. Both papers reporting respiratory outcomes found improved oxygen saturations and PaCO(2) levels in PCA-MK patients following thoracic surgery. We conclude that adding low-dose ketamine to morphine PCA is safe and post-thoracotomy may provide better pain control than PCA with morphine alone (PCA-MO), with reduced morphine consumption and possible improvement in respiratory function. These studies thus support the routine use of PCA-MK instead of PCA-MO to improve post-thoracotomy pain control.

  17. Using Serological Proteome Analysis to Identify Serum Anti-Nucleophosmin 1 Autoantibody as a Potential Biomarker in European-American and African-American Patients With Prostate Cancer.

    PubMed

    Dai, Liping; Li, Jitian; Xing, Mengtao; Sanchez, Tino W; Casiano, Carlos A; Zhang, Jian-Ying

    2016-11-01

    The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has been widely implemented for the early detection and management of prostate cancer (PCa). However, the lack of specificity has led to overdiagnosis, resulting in many possibly unnecessary biopsies and overtreatment. Therefore, novel serological biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity are of vital importance needed to complement PSA testing in the early diagnosis and effective management of PCa. This is particularly critical in the context of PCa health disparities, where early detection and management could help reduce the disproportionately high PCa mortality observed in African-American men. Previous studies have demonstrated that sera from patients with PCa contain autoantibodies that react with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). The serological proteome analysis (SERPA) approach was used to identify tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) of PCa. In evaluation study, the level of anti-NPM1 antibody was examined in sera from test cohort, validation cohort, as well as European-American (EA) and African-American (AA) men with PCa by using immunoassay. Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) as a 33 kDa TAA in PCa was identified and characterized by SERPA approach. Anti-NPM1 antibody level in PCa was higher than in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients and healthy individuals. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed similar high diagnostic value for PCa in the test cohort (area under the curve (AUC):0.860) and validation cohort (AUC: 0.822) to differentiate from normal individuals and BPH. Interestingly, AUC values were significantly higher for AA PCa patients. When considering concurrent serum measurements of anti-NPM1 antibody and PSA, 97.1% PCa patients at early stage were identified correctly, while 69.2% BPH patients who had elevated PSA levels were found to be anti-NPM1 negative. Additionally, anti-NPM1 antibody levels in PCa patients at early stage significantly increased after surgery treatment. This intriguing data suggested that NPM1 can elicit autoantibody response in PCa and might be a potential biomarker for the immunodiagnosis and prognosis of PCa, and for supplementing PSA testing in distinguishing PCa from BPH. Prostate 76:1375-1386, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. The use of pruned chipped branches to increase the soil infiltration capacity and reduce the soil losses on citrus orchards in Eastern Spain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    González-Pelayo, Óscar; Llovet, Joan; Giménez-Morera, Antonio; Jordán, Antonio; Pereira, Paulo; Novara, Agata; García-Orenes, Fuensanta; Cerdà, Artemi

    2015-04-01

    Soil water erosion is causing problems on the agriculture land of the world. The high erosion rates registered in the agriculture land are due to the lack of a vegetation cover that protects the soil. High erosion rates in agriculture lands are found in Africa, Europe, Asia, and any other continent. Soil erosion on citrus orchards has been researched recently and shown huge erosion rates in the Mediterranean and in China. All this research findings allow us to confirm that the soil erosion rates on citrus orchards are not sustainable and strategies to control the soil erosion should be applied. The increasing erosion rates are due to the bare soils, but also are due to the soil structure degradation and soil organic matter exhaustion. Some authors applied cover on crops to avoid the raindrop impact and the surfaces wash but there is a need to develop new strategies to reduce soil losses and keep sustainable the citrus productions. The agriculture production also results in a large amount of residues than can be a resource to improve the soil cover. This has been done in road embankments, in forest land affected by wildfires and on afforestation. As a consequence of the mechanization of the agriculture, and the reduction of the draft animals (mainly horses, mules, donkeys and oxen), the straw and the pruned branches are being a residue instead of a resource in many developed countries. Straw was used as a forage and the pruned branches as a source of heat and energy but both can be used as a mulch to control the soil erosion. The pruned branches can contribute with a valuable source of nutrients and a good soil protection. The leaves of the trees, and some parts of the plants, once harvest can contribute to reduce the soil losses. Our goal is to test if a residue such as the chipped pruned branches can be transformed as a resource that will help to control the soil erosion rates. Straw has been seen as a very efficient to reduce the water losses in agriculture land, the soil losses in fire affected land, improving soil properties, but very little is done in active citrus orchards plantations. On this study, forty rainfall simulations under 55 mm h-1 rainfall intensity during one hour, were carried out on 0,25 m2 microplots: bare (n=20) and covered with chipped pruned branches (n=20). The plots covered with the chipped branches had different mulch cover; ranging from 0 to 100 % cover and from 0 g m2 to 465 g m2. The results show a positive effect of the chipped pruned branches that reduce the soil losses to 10 % of the bare soils after a mulch cover of 25 %. It shows an exponential relation between the straw cover and weight, with the sediment yield. Acknowledgements The research projects GL2008-02879/BTE, LEDDRA 243857 and RECARE FP7 n° 603498 supported this research.

  19. Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Posterior Cortical Atrophy and Alzheimer Disease

    PubMed Central

    Crutch, Sebastian J.; Franco-Macías, Emilio; Gil-Néciga, Eulogio

    2016-01-01

    Background: Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a rare neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by early progressive visual dysfunction in the context of relative preservation of memory and a pattern of atrophy mainly involving the posterior cortex. The aim of the present study is to characterize the neuropsychiatric profile of PCA. Methods: The Neuropsychiatric Inventory was used to assess 12 neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in 28 patients with PCA and 34 patients with typical Alzheimer disease (AD) matched by age, disease duration, and illness severity. Results: The most commonly reported NPS in both groups were depression, anxiety, apathy, and irritability. However, aside from a trend toward lower rates of apathy in patients with PCA, there were no differences in the percentage of NPS presented in each group. All those patients presenting visual hallucinations in the PCA group also met diagnostic criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Auditory hallucinations were only present in patients meeting diagnosis criteria for DLB. Conclusion: Prevalence of the 12 NPS examined was similar between patients with PCA and AD. Hallucinations in PCA may be helpful in the differential diagnosis between PCA-AD and PCA-DLB. PMID:26404166

  20. The function of oxytocin: a potential biomarker for prostate cancer diagnosis and promoter of prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Xu, Huan; Fu, Shi; Chen, Qi; Gu, Meng; Zhou, Juan; Liu, Chong; Chen, Yanbo; Wang, Zhong

    2017-05-09

    To measure the level of oxytocin in serum and prostate cancer (PCa) tissue and study its effect on the proliferation of PCa cells. Oxytocin level in serum was significantly increased in PCa patients compared with the no-carcinoma individuals. Additionally, the levels of oxytocin and its receptor were also elevated in the PCa tissue. However, no significant difference existed among the PCa of various Gleason grades. Western blot analysis confirmed the previous results and revealed an increased expression level of APPL1. The level of oxytocin in serum was measured by ELISA analysis. The expression of oxytocin and its receptor in prostate was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The proliferation and apoptosis of PCa cells were assessed by the Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) assay, cell cycle analysis and caspase3 activity analysis, respectively. Western blot analysis was used for the detection of PCNA, Caspase3 and APPL1 protein levels. Serum and prostatic oxytocin levels are increased in the PCa subjects. Serum oxytocin level may be a biomarker for PCa in the future. Oxytocin increases PCa growth and APPL1 expression.

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