Decay In Storage Research Articles

First clinical implementation of Yttrium-90 Disc Brachytherapy after FDA clearance

Herein, we study if high-dose-rate (HDR) yttrium-90 (90Y) brachytherapy could be utilized by medical physicists, radiation oncologists, and ophthalmic surgeons. Yttrium-90 (90Y) beta-emitting brachytherapy sources received United States Food and Drug Administration clearance for episcleral treatment of ocular tumors and benign growths. Dose calibration traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology as well as treatment planning and target delineation methods were established. Single-use systems included a 90Y-disc affixed within specialized, multifunction, handheld applicator. Low-dose-rate to high-dose-rate prescription conversions and depth-dose determinations were performed. Radiation safety was evaluated based on live exposure rates during assembly and surgeries. Clinical data for radiation safety, treatment tolerability, and local control was collected. Practice parameters for the medical physicist, radiation oncologist, and ophthalmic surgeon were defined. Device sterilizations, calibrations, assemblies, surgical methods, and disposals were reproducible and effective. Treated tumors included iris melanoma, iridociliary melanoma, choroidal melanoma, and a locally invasive squamous carcinoma. Mean calculated 90Y disc activity was 14.33 mCi (range 8.8-16.6), prescription dose 27.8 Gy (range 22-30), delivered to depth of 2.3 mm (range 1.6-2.6), at treatment durations of 420 s (7.0 min, range 219 s-773 s). Both insertion and removal were performed during one surgical session. After surgery, each disc-applicator- system was contained for decay in storage. Treatments were well-tolerated. HDR 90Y episcleral brachytherapy devices were created, implementation methods developed, and treatments performed on 6 patients. Treatments were single-surgery, rapid, and well-tolerated with short-term follow up.

Response of Three Cucumber Cultivars to the Application of Sulphate of Ammonia as top Dressing with Respect to Fruit Yield and Shelf Life

The experiment was conducted in the experimental field of the Horticulture Department, University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala campus with the aim of determining the response of three cucumber cultivars (Marketer, Nandini, Pointset) to the application of sulphate of ammonia as top dressing with respect to fruit yield, and shelf life. It was a 3 x 3 x 2 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was collected on total fruit yield, shelf life and percentage fruit decay in storage. Their effect on the varieties differed significantly to a varying degree. The factors, however, had no significant impact and caused no difference in the fruit yield and fruit weight. 15:15:15 NPK effect on the cucumbers caused a high decay incidence when applied alone or in combination with (NH4)2SO4. Therefore, the application rate may be revised or reduced to experiment if decay incidence would decline in storage. Further studies may extensively be carried out to note if varying the rate of NPK would impact positively on the shelf life of cucumber. (NH4)2SO4 effect increased weight loss in cucumbers hence, better storage techniques should be considered by controlling high temperatures. Complete fertilizer; 15:15:15 NPK and (NH4)2SO4 had a positive impact on protein and fibre. Hence, their application is recommended for increasing protein and fibre level in cucumbers.

Considerations for Establishing a Theranostic Treatment Site

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Here we present guidance to radiation oncology centers in establishing theranostic treatments. Theranostics are radiopharmaceuticals with diagnostic and therapeutic attributes. They are composed of a vector which binds to a target receptor, a linker which connects the vector to the radioisotope and a radioisotope. Theranostics treatment is a multifaceted process including radiation safety, licensing, clinical workflow and supply management. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> Radiation safety in theranostics requires the management of personnel/patient radiation exposure, decay in storage and disposal of radioactive materials. Decay in storage must satisfy NRC § 35.92. A dedicated toilet is preferable due to renal excretion. NRC § 20.2003 renders excreta from patients exempt from sanitary sewerage restrictions. ALARA-consistent protocols must be implemented to manage personnel, patient and caregiver exposures including: internal contamination, patient education, discharge criteria, and management of time/distance/shielding during preparation, treatment and cleanup. Licensing: An Authorized User and a Radioactive Material License are required and activity usage limits for each isotope must be consistent with the licensing for the site. Table 1 lists common isotopes to consider with varying radiation safety, licensing, etc. requirements. Staff education is paramount for clinical workflow and supply management. Protocols, checklists, and documentation for the concerted efforts of CNMTs, nurses, physics, and attending are imperative for procedures and contingencies. Required equipment: infusion pumps, specialized tubing/connectors, pharmaceuticals, amino acids, contamination control, spill kits, dedicated treatment room, remote patient monitoring, radiation monitoring, radiation survey tools, radiation shielding, dose calibrator, and imaging equipment (e.g., SPECT, Gamma camera, PET CT, etc.). <h3>Results</h3> Adherence to these guidelines allowed successful treatment of patients with ¹⁷⁷Lu, ²³³Ra and ⁹⁰Y. Dosimetry and radiation survey data confirm successful implementation of rad safety procedures. ¹⁷⁷Lu – treated patients were surveyed at one meter hourly to assess uptake/excretion of ¹⁷⁷Lu and to confirm safe discharge. Data from radiation monitoring and radiation surveys for treatments will be presented. <h3>Conclusion</h3> A theranostics program can be safely established through an organized effort which considers the factors presented here – radiation safety, licensing, clinical workflow and supply management.

Yttrium-90 (90Y) Brachytherapy for Small Iridociliary Melanomas

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Beta irradiation has been useful in treating numerous ocular tumors and benign growths. However, strontium-90 applicators are no longer supported and ruthenium-106 is not available for high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. Herein we present the first clinical use of a new HDR ⁹⁰Y brachytherapy source that is FDA 510(k) cleared for the treatment of ocular tumors and benign growths. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> The iWand A® is a new single-use ophthalmic hand-held brachytherapy applicator, with a surface contact diameter of 10 mm. In addition, the applicator's translucent polymer backing both attenuates radiation exposure towards the surgeon and ancillary staff and allows visualization of the disc-shaped ⁹⁰Y source during treatment. A well-shaped recess on the anterior surface of the applicator accommodates a 6-mm disc-shaped source, where it is flush-mounted and affixed by biocompatible adhesive. The titanium shell of the source provides rigid encapsulation of the radioactive ⁹⁰Y source. Though the LV Y-90 Disc is FDA cleared to be utilized at up to 20 millicuries (mCi); the activity used for these 2 treatments was mean 12.4 mCi. For example, a 20 mCi LV ⁹⁰Y Disc which decays by β-emission with an end point energy of 2.28 MeV (0.98 MeV average), yields 30.0, 21.6, 16.2, and 4.8 Gy/minute at depths of 0.0, 0.6, 1.0, and 2.6 mm, respectively. While planning tool simulations were used to demonstrate the treatment volume and penumbra characteristics of the ⁹⁰Y disc, NIST-traceable preoperative calibrations were performed by an independent authorized medical physicist. <h3>Results</h3> Two patients (mean age=74 years) were diagnosed with AJCC 8^th edition T1-sized, biopsy-proven iridociliary melanoma. High-frequency ultrasound was used to measure tumor size, basal dimensions and distance from the overlying sclera. Measurements revealed a mean maximum tumor thickness of 0.7 mm (0.6-0.8) and a mean maximum largest tumor basal diameter of 3.0 mm (2.9-3.1). Surgery required a minor conjunctival recession to expose the episcleral target zone. The 10 mm application site was marked with tissue dye on the cornea and sclera. Then the ⁹⁰Y source, affixed within the iWand A® applicator, was applied to deliver HDR episcleral brachytherapy to doses of 25 - 30 Gy to a 2.5-mm depth. Treatment durations ranged from 5 to 13 minutes. During treatment, the acrylic of the iWand A® applicator was found capable of shielding the patient, surgeon and operating-room personnel. No acute or post-operative ⁹⁰Y-radiation-related complications were noted. The ⁹⁰Y source's 64-hour half-life allowed for single-use, decay in storage, and return for disposal. <h3>Conclusion</h3> A novel, FDA-cleared, HDR ⁹⁰Y beta source was used to treat 2 patients with uveal melanoma. It was affixed within a hand-held, single-use applicator that aids guidance, targeting and facilitates radiation safety (as measured during both surgeries). Future research is needed to explore additional applications for this novel ⁹⁰Y HDR brachytherapy source.

Surface Engineering of Laser-Induced Graphene Enables Long-Term Monitoring of On-Body Uric Acid and pH Simultaneously.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) suffers from serious decay in long-term biosensing, which greatly restricts its practical applications. Herein, we report a new strategy to engineer the LIG surface with Au clusters and chitosan sequentially to form a C-Au-LIG electrode with a superhydrophilic and highly conductive 3D graphene surface, which demonstrates superior performance and negligible decay in both long-term storage and practical usage in vitro and in vivo environments. Moreover, the C-Au-LIG electrode can be used for detecting uric acid (UA) and pH simultaneously from a single differential pulse voltammetry curve with low-detection limitation, high accuracy, and negligible interference with other sweat biomarkers. The integrated C-Au-LIG wearable biosensor was employed to continuously monitor the UA content in human sweat, which can well reflect the daily intake of purines for at least 10 days. Therefore, the C-Au-LIG electrode demonstrates significant application potential and provides inspiration for surface engineering of other biosensor materials and electrodes.

PERUBAHAN KIMIA DAN MIKROBIOLOGI TEMPE BUSUK SELAMA FERMENTASI

Tempeh is a very popular food because it is delicious and has good nutritional value. Overfermented tempeh is used as a seasoning in dishes such as lodeh and sambal tumpang. Thus, it is necessary to know the length of time tempeh fermentation is safe for consumption. The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical and microbiological quality of over-fermented tempeh and the effect of the packaging used. This study used a 2-factor factorial completely randomized design. The first factor is the storage time of tempeh (1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, and 9 days), and the second factor is the type of tempeh packaging (plastic, teak leaves, and banana leaves). The results of the water content test showed that the tempeh began to decay in storage for 5 days. Teak leaf packaging has the lowest water content of the others. Tempeh, which has the highest protein content of 0.60 g/L, is tempeh packaged in teak leaves that has been stored for 3 days. Tempeh stored for 9 days has high water content, exceeding the maximum SNI standard (SNI 3144:2015) by about 65%. Soluble protein levels increased and then decreased during the decomposition process. Free fatty acids continued to experience a decrease in storage for 9 days, which indicated that the process of decay had occurred. The highest free fatty acids were found after 3 days of storage in plastic packaging, which reached 6.2 mg NaOH/g, while tempeh packaged with teak on the third day still showed a lower value of 3.83 mg NaOH/g. The total bacteria test showed an increasing trend from the first day to the ninth day of storage. Tempeh was still suitable for consumption up to five days after being stored. After 5 days of storage, tempeh has decreased in quality. Teak leaves have been proven to be able to maintain the quality of tempeh better than plastic packaging or banana leaf packaging.&#x0D; Keywords: banana leaf, FFA (free fatty acid), teak leaf, tempeh

Effect of Genotype and Plastic Film Type on Strawberry Fruit Quality and Post-Harvest Shelf Life

ABSTRACT There is an increasing demand for fresh fruits such as strawberry enriched in antioxidants and vitamins. Strawberry fruit quality is highly affected by genotype and environmental conditions. In this study, six day-neutral strawberry cultivars, Albion, Monterey, Portola, San Andreas, Seascape, and Sweet Ann were grown under low tunnels covered with three UV selective films: Standard Clear (STD), TIII TES/TR (TES), and Temp cool (TEM). STD and TES blocked 5% and 10% UV transmittance, respectively, whereas TEM blocked 40% UV transmittance and 15% visible/infrared light. Strawberries were harvested and evaluated for fruit color, total anthocyanins, total phenolics, total soluble solids. After refrigerated storage, the strawberries were evaluated again for these traits plus decay incidence and weight loss. Genotype (cultivar) was the major factor affecting fruit quality, metabolite composition, and percentage decay in storage. Weight loss during storage was the only trait not significantly affected by cultivar. Cultivar × film type interaction effects were significant for all strawberry quality parameters.

First Report of Pyrimethanil Resistance in Botrytis cinerea from Stored Apples in Pennsylvania.

Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr. (teleomorph Botryotinia fuckeliana [de Bary] Whetzel) causes gray mold on apple fruit. A survey of commercial packinghouses in Washington State revealed that it accounted for 28% of the decay in storage (1). Fungicide application coupled with cultural practices are the primary method of control as all commercial apple cultivars are susceptible to gray mold. In February 2013, gray mold was observed at ~5% incidence for commercially packed 'Gala' apple fruit that had been treated with Penbotec (active ingredient: pyrimethanil, Shield-Bright, Pace International) prior to controlled atmosphere storage in Pennsylvania. Eight infected apple fruit were collected, placed in 80 count boxes on cardboard trays, and stored at 4°C. One isolate was obtained from each decayed apple, placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) petri plates, and incubated at 20°C with natural light. Eight single-spore isolates were identified as B. cinerea based on cultural characteristics. Species level identification was executed by obtaining mycelial genomic DNA, amplifying the ITS rDNA, and sequencing the ~550-bp amplicon directly (2). MegaBLAST analysis of the 2X consensus for the 8 isolates revealed 100% identity to B. cinerea ITS sequences in GenBank (KF156296.1 and JX867227.1) with E values of 0.0, thus confirming the morphological identification. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using conidial suspensions obtained from ~14-day-old plates (104 spores/ml) and a range (0 to 500 μg/ml) of technical grade pyrimethanil on three replicated 96-well microtiter plates containing a defined medium for each experiment. Conidial proliferation was inhibited at 250 μg/ml for all eight isolates and the experiment was conducted four times. To further define the resistance levels between the isolates, mycelial growth analysis using a plug of actively growing mycelium from the margin of ~3-day-old plates was conducted with a defined medium three times with technical grade pyrimethanil with three plates per experiment. Five isolates grew at 250 μg/ml (highly resistant), while three did not (moderately resistant). To assess resistance in vivo, organic 'Gala' apples were rinsed with soap and water, sprayed with 70% ethanol, placed on trays, and allowed to air dry. Apples were wounded with a sterile finishing nail, inoculated with 20 μl of a conidial suspension (104 spores/ml) of either a moderately or a highly resistant isolate, and dipped in the labeled application rate of Penbotec at 500 μg/ml or sterile water for 30 s. Fruit were stored in 100 count boxes at 22°C for 5 days and decay incidence and severity were recorded. Ten fruit composed a replicate per treatment and the experiment was repeated. Water inoculated controls were symptomless and water-dipped inoculated fruit had 100% decay. Penbotec-treated fruit had 100% decay incidence and mean lesion diameters of 37.6 (±13.1 mm) for the highly, and 35.7 (±9.0 mm) for the moderately resistant isolate. This is the first report of pyrimethanil resistance in B. cinerea from decayed apples collected from a commercial packinghouse in Pennsylvania. The results indicate that pyrimethanil resistance has developed in B. cinerea, which can result in control failures on Penbotec-treated fruit during storage. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for additional tools to manage gray mold on apple fruit and may pose issues for export concerning the spread of fungicide-resistant inoculum.

Evaluating Strawberry Breeding Selections for Field and Postharvest Fruit Decay

Fruit from the annual replicated yield assessments for the USDA-ARS strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier) breeding program at Beltsville, MD in 2010 were evaluated for postharvest decay development after storage at 5°C. A statistically significant correlation between percentage decay of fruit in the field and percentage decay of fruit from post-harvest evaluation was observed when data were analyzed on a genotypic mean basis (r = 0.37) or a field plot basis (r = 0.25) across all harvests. Analysis of the same data on a plot by harvest combination basis resulted in a statistically significant correlation for only one harvest date. While significant, the level of correlation on a genotypic mean basis is not strong enough to dismiss the need for post-harvest evaluation. The percentage postharvest decay increased over harvests, while the percentage decay at harvest, in the field, did not. Weather data from 2010 indicated that field conditions just a few days before harvest can affect percentage decay at harvest differently than percentage decay in postharvest storage; rain events were correlated with increased percentage decay in the field but not postharvest decay, while dry air was correlated with decreased percentage decay postharvest but not decay in the field. These findings suggest that, in some environments, conditions after flowering can have a more significant role in the fruit decay than previously has been reported.

수확 후 저장 배에서 분리한 Penicillium속 균의 유전적 다양성

This study was carried out to identify the genetic diversity of Penicillium isolates that were isolated from pears with postharvest decay in storage. URP-PCR was used to detect DNA diversity of 84 Penicillium isolates. Based on URP-PCR profiles, 18 Penicillium isolates were selected and their PCR polymorphic bands were produced by additional primers URP1F, URP2R, URP2F, and URP4R. UPGMA cluster analysis using the polymorphic bands showed four clustered groups and futhermore cultural and morphological features characterized the 18 Penicillium isolates. Group 1 was dominant, which occupies 70% in the four clustered groups and identified as P. expansum based on ITS sequence and morphological features.

Estimation of Cost-saving for Reducing Radioactive Waste from Nuclear Medicine Facilities by Implementing Decay in Storage (DIS) in Japan

DIS has not yet been implemented in Japan as of 2011. Therefore, even if risk was negligible, medical institutions have to entrust radioactive temporal waste disposal to Japan Radio Isotopes Association (JRIA) in the current situation. To decide whether DIS should be implemented in Japan or not, cost-saving effect of DIS was estimated by comparing the cost that nuclear medical facilities pay. By implementing DIS, the total annual cost for all nuclear medical facilities in Japan is estimated to be decreased to 30 million yen or less from 710 million yen. DIS would save 680 million yen (96%) per year.

Alcohol in Canada: reducing the toll through focused interventions and public health policies.

<b>3021</b> <h3><b>Objectives:</b></h3> In the United States, Lutetium-177 is being used to treat patient’s with gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with the FDA approved radiopharmaceutical Lutathera, which is manufactured by Advanced Accelerator Applications. In addition, Radiomedix, is manufacturing Lutetium-177-PSMA to treat patients with metastatic prostate cancer as part of a phase III clinical trial which is run by Endocyte. Each company uses a different process to manufacture the Lutetium, one of which adds a small amount of metastable Lutetium-177 which has a 160.4 day half-life. Without the metastable component, Lutetium-177 has a 6.65 day half-life. The difference in manufacturing methods may lead to differences in handling and disposing of the radioactive material. The purpose here is to share a single institution’s experience, OHSU, with Lutetium-177 from different manufacturers. <h3><b>Methods:</b></h3> After administration of the radionuclide therapy, any radioactive waste is stored in a secure area to decay in storage. With a half-life of 6.65 days, our process is to check for any residual activity at approximately 65 days or 10 half-lives. After this decay period, we compared residual activity in multiple vials between manufacturer’s which had the same calibration date or were within one or two days of each other. To do this comparison, we measured the vial in a dose calibrator and also withdrew 1cc from each vial and measured the counts per minute in a Perkin Elmer Wizard well counter. <h3><b>Results:</b></h3> When comparing waste from each manufacturer which had the same calibration date or were within one or two days of each other, we noticed that measured counts per minute from the well counter were 200% higher for vials from AAA. This phenomenon is consistent across all vials that were compared. We believe this is directly correlated to the metastable component that can be found in Lutetium-177 from AAA. The prolonged presence of radioactivity in the vials from AAA have required us to use a third-party company for disposal of this radioactive waste, which has led to increase in space needed for decay in storage and an additional operating cost to properly handle this material. <b>Conclusion:</b> In summary, Lutetium-177 has become a vital tool for radionuclide therapy, however, there are important considerations for decay and disposal of the radioactive waste which will vary based on the method of production. Having this information available when starting new programs and service lines is critical to long term success and compliance with regulatory agencies.

Effects of Postharvest Onion Curing Parameters on Enterobacter Bulb Decay in Storage.

Enterobacter bulb decay is a recently described storage disease of onion (Allium cepa) bulbs caused by Enterobacter cloacae. The disease is generally considered minor but, on occasion, can cause significant losses for onion producers. The impact of postharvest curing temperature and duration on Enterobacter bulb decay of onion was evaluated by inoculating bulbs of the cultivars Redwing and Vaquero with E. cloacae after harvest, curing the bulbs at 25, 30, 35, or 40°C for 2 or 14 days, and storing the bulbs at 5°C for 1, 2, or 3 months. Noninoculated bulbs and bulbs injected with sterile water served as control treatments. The trial was completed using bulbs harvested from commercial onion crops grown in the semi-arid Columbia Basin of central Washington in each of 2008-09 (center-pivot irrigated crop) and 2009-10 (drip irrigated crop). Severity of bulb rot was assessed by cutting each bulb down the center from the neck to the basal plate, and rating the percentage of cut surface area with bacterial rot symptoms. Bulb rot severity was negligible for noninoculated bulbs (mean of 0.3% in the 2008-09 storage trial and 1.0% in the 2009-10 storage trial) and bulbs injected with water (0.8% in the 2008-09 trial and 1.3% in the 2009-10 trial) compared to bulbs inoculated with E. cloacae (15.3% in 2008-09 and 23.3% in 2009-10). Severity of Enterobacter bulb decay was affected significantly (P < 0.05) by season (trial), cultivar, curing temperature, curing duration, and storage duration, with significant interactions among these factors. Enterobacter bulb decay was significantly more severe for bulbs cured at 40°C than for bulbs cured at 25, 30, or 35°C. This effect was even greater when bulbs were cured for 14 days versus 2 days prior to cold storage, and in bulbs stored for 2 or 3 months after curing compared to bulbs stored for 1 month. The increase in bulb rot severity caused by curing bulbs at 40°C for 14 days compared to lower temperatures and shorter durations was greater for Vaquero than Redwing, particularly in the 2008-09 trial. The results suggest that curing temperatures ≤35°C should significantly reduce the risk of Enterobacter bulb decay in storage for these cultivars. If higher curing temperatures are used in order to dry onion necks for long-term storage and reduce the risk of fungal diseases such as neck rot (caused by Botrytis spp.), a shorter curing duration may be necessary to minimize the risk of Enterobacter bulb decay in storage.

(114) Performance of Cranberry Varieties on an Upland Site in Michigan

Twenty cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) genotypes were evaluated for five seasons in an experimental upland planting in southwest Michigan. Beds were constructed on a silty clay loam soil by excavating to grade, and filled with 30 to 45 cm of sand. Four 2 × 2-m plots of each genotype were planted in 1996. Fruit were harvested with hand scoops from 2000 to 2005. Yield per plot, average berry weight, and percent berries exhibiting decay were determined. Sound fruit were also stored at 2 °C for 4 to 8 weeks and sorted to determine the percentage of fruit developing decay in storage. Fungi were isolated and identified by morphological characteristics. Genotypes producing the highest average yields were `Stevens', `Ben Lear', #35, `LeMunyon', and `Franklin'. Varieties with the highest average berry weight were `Pilgrim', `Stevens', `Baines', `Beckwith', `Searles', and #35. Genotypes with lower rot incidence at harvest were #35, `Early Black', and `Foxboro Howes', whereas `Howes' and #35 developed the least rot during storage. Fungi commonly isolated from decaying fruit were Colletotrichum sp., Coleophoma empetri, Phomopsis vaccinii, Phyllosticta vaccinii, Fusicoccum putrefaciens, Botrytis cinerea, Pestalotia sp., and Allantophomopsis sp. Prevalence of specific fungi differed among cranberry genotypes.

Precerebellar Hindbrain Neurons Encoding Eye Velocity During Vestibular and Optokinetic Behavior in the Goldfish

Elucidating the causal role of head and eye movement signaling during cerebellar-dependent oculomotor behavior and plasticity is contingent on knowledge of precerebellar structure and function. To address this question, single-unit extracellular recordings were made from hindbrain Area II neurons that provide a major mossy fiber projection to the goldfish vestibulolateral cerebellum. During spontaneous behavior, Area II neurons exhibited minimal eye position and saccadic sensitivity. Sinusoidal visual and vestibular stimulation over a broad frequency range (0.1-4.0 Hz) demonstrated that firing rate mirrored the amplitude and phase of eye or head velocity, respectively. Table frequencies >1.0 Hz resulted in decreased firing rate relative to eye velocity gain, while phase was unchanged. During visual steps, neuronal discharge paralleled eye velocity latency (approximately 90 ms) and matched both the build-up and the time course of the decay (approximately 19 s) in eye velocity storage. Latency of neuronal discharge to table steps (40 ms) was significantly longer than for eye movement (17 ms), but firing rate rose faster than eye velocity to steady-state levels. The velocity sensitivity of Area II neurons was shown to equal (+/- 10%) the sum of eye- and head-velocity firing rates as has been observed in cerebellar Purkinje cells. These results demonstrate that Area II neuronal firing closely emulates oculomotor performance. Conjoint signaling of head and eye velocity together with the termination pattern of each Area II neuron in the vestibulolateral lobe presents a unique eye-velocity brain stem-cerebellar pathway, eliminating the conceptual requirement of motor error signaling.

Agrammatism: A Cross-Linguistic Clinical Perspective

Agrammatism: A Cross-Linguistic Clinical Perspective

Near Infrared Transmission Spectra of Barley of Malting Grade Represent a Physical-Chemical Fingerprint of the Sample That Is Able to Predict Germinative Vigour in a Multivariate Data Evaluation Model

The physiological and physical-chemical basis of barley germination was studied. Vigour was defined as germination percentage after 24 h and viability as that of 72 h. The barley samples were analysed under germination capacity and energy conditions after harvest and after long time cold storage at 7°C three-six years. These parameters were each correlated by Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) to two separate multivariate data sets: a set of ten physical-chemical parameters and to Near Infrared Transmission (NIT) spectra (850–1050 nm). Surprisingly high correlation coefficients for each of these two data sets were obtained especially with vigour, extract (%) and β-glucan in wort (mg/L) when outliers with viability below 92% were removed. Hard, slowly germinating seeds were more resistant to decay in vigour and viability storage than soft seeds. This change could be predicted by PLSR correlations to the two physical-chemical multivariate methods. Vigour was a more sensitive indicator for the ability to store than viability. The steep criterion was also found to have a physical-chemical basis. The results indicate that NIT calibrations can be used to predict vigour in malting grade barley.

Pre- and Post-harvest Harpin Treatments of Apples Induce Resistance to Blue Mold.

Harpin was studied for its ability to induce resistance in apple fruit to blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum after harvest. Red Delicious fruit were harvested and sprayed with harpin at 0, 40, 80, and 160 mg/liter applied as a commercial formulation. At 48, 96, and 144 h after treatment, fruit were wound inoculated with spore suspensions of P. expansum at 103, 5 × 103, or 104 spores/ml. The diameters of the resulting lesions were directly proportional to the inoculum concentration. Fewer fruit treated with harpin became infected relative to the controls, and disease progress was considerably reduced. In a second experiment, apple trees of the cultivars McIntosh, Empire, and Red Delicious were sprayed with different concentrations of harpin 8 or 4 days before harvest. Fruit were harvested, wounded, inoculated with the fungus, and stored in a commercial cold room. Fewer fruit treated with harpin became infected compared with the controls. Greater control resulted from the higher concentrations of harpin, but no difference in control occurred as a function of interval between the spray time and harvest. Spraying apple trees with harpin a few days before harvest is a promising strategy for reducing blue mold decay in storage.

Biology and ecology of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species as related to economic and health concerns.

The fungal genus Aspergillus was established in 1729, and includes species that are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. Many aspergilli produce mycotoxins in foods that may be toxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic in animals. Most of the Aspergillus species are soil fungi or saprophytes but some are capable of causing decay in storage, disease in plants or invasive disease in humans and animals. Major agricultural commodities affected before or after harvest by fungal growth and mycotoxins include corn, peanuts, cottonseed, rice, tree nuts, cereal grains, and fruits. Animal products (meat, milk and eggs) can become contaminated because of diet. Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus, A. niger, A. fumigatus and other aspergilli produce mycotoxins of concern. These include the aflatoxins and ochratoxins, as well as cyclopiazonic acid, patulin, sterigmatocystin, gliotoxin, citrinin and other potentially toxic metabolites.

438 Use of 1-MCP to Reduce the Requirement for Refrigeration and Modifed Atmospheres in the Storage of Apple Fruit

The growth regulator 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is a vapor under physiological conditions and acts by inhibiting the binding of the hormone ethylene to its binding site and a single exposure can temporarily render plant material insensitive to ethylene when applied at the parts-per-billion level. Apple fruit were harvested 1 week prior to the climacteric (harvest 1), at the onset of the climacteric (harvest 2), and 1 week after the onset of the climacteric (harvest 3). Fruit were stored at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C and were given treatments with 1 ppm 1-MCP on a once-per-week, once-per-2 weeks, once-per-month, and once-per-year basis or were left untreated. In terms of reduced softening, earlier harvested fruit were more responsive to the 1-MCP treatment and the efficacy of 1-MCP was enhanced by repeated application. At 20 °C, control fruit (all harvests) softened to less than 50 N pressure within 20 days. For fruit treated once with 1-MCP, fruit of harvest 1 reached this threshold by 63 days, those of harvest 2 after 56 days and those of harvest 3 by 40 days. Fruit treated on a once-per-month basis began to soften by 56 days for harvest 3, while those of harvest 1 and 2 did not. Fruit treated once per week or once per 2 weeks did not soften relative to initial firmness (68N) during the first 63 days of the study. 1-MCP effectively prevented softening at all temperatures relative to the controls, however, as temperature decreased, the benefits of 1-MCP application became less pronounced. Decay was a significant problem for fruit stored at 15 and 20 °C storage temperatures. Roughly 30% to 60% of the fruit were lost to decay in the first 60 days of the study. 1-MCP application reduced, but did not prevent decay. Storage of 1-MCP-treated apple fruit at elevated temperatures will likely require some means of controlling decay in storage.