MINNESOTA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN RECESSION AND RECOVERY: PART I

This report presents statistical reference series for the study and projection of Minnesota's economic outlook in the 1980's. The reference series serve as baseline forecasts for the assessment on Minnesota's job and income prospects in its basic industries, including agriculture, forestry, mining, manufacturing and services for nonresidents in work and leisure activities. In Part I, two sets of baseline forecasts are presented, namely, short-term quarter-year and long-term five-year forecasts of industry employment and personal earnings and income.Community/Rural/Urban Development,

40Ar–39Ar dating of volcanogenic products from the AND-2A core (ANDRILL Southern McMurdo Sound Project, Antarctica): correlations with the Erebus Volcanic Province and implications for the age model of the core

The AND-2A drillcore (Antarctic Drilling Program—ANDRILL) was successfully completed in late 2007 on the Antarctic continental margin (Southern McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea) with the aim of tracking ice proximal to shallow marine environmental fluctuations and to document the 20-Ma evolution of the Erebus Volcanic Province. Lava clasts and tephra layers from the AND-2A drillcore were investigated from a petrographic and stratigraphic point of view and analyzed by the 40Ar–39Ar laser technique in order to constrain the age model of the core and to gain information on the style and nature of sediment deposition in the Victoria Land Basin since Early Miocene. Ten out of 17 samples yielded statistically robust 40Ar–39Ar ages, indicating that the AND-2A drillcore recovered ≤230 m of Middle Miocene (∼128–358 m below sea floor, ∼11.5–16.0 Ma) and >780 m of Early Miocene (∼358–1093 m below sea floor, ∼16.0–20.1 Ma). Results also highlight a nearly continuous stratigraphic record from at least 358 m below sea floor down hole, characterized by a mean sedimentation rate of ∼19 cm/ka, possible oscillations of no more than a few hundreds of ka and a break within ∼17.5–18.1 Ma. Comparison with available data from volcanic deposits on land, suggests that volcanic rocks within the AND-2A core were supplied from the south, possibly with source areas closer to the drill site for the upper core levels, and from 358 m below sea floor down hole, with the “proto-Mount Morning” as the main source

Coalescing binary systems of compact objects: Dynamics of angular momenta

The end state of a coalescing binary of compact objects depends strongly on the final total mass M and angular momentum J. Since gravitational radiation emission causes a slow evolution of the binary system through quasi-circular orbits down to the innermost stable one, in this paper we examine the corresponding behavior of the ratio J/M^2 which must be less than 1(G/c) or about 0.7(G/c) for the formation of a black hole or a neutron star respectively. The results show cases for which, at the end of the inspiral phase, the conditions for black hole or neutron star formation are not satisfied. The inclusion of spin effects leads us to a study of precession equations valid also for the calculation of gravitational waveforms.Comment: 22 pages, AASTeX and 13 figures in PostScrip

Promising Practices and Unfinished Business: Fostering Equity and Excellence for Black and Latino Males

Boston Public Schools (BPS) commissioned companion studies as part of its efforts to address achievement gaps for Black and Latino males. The first study revealed the increasing diversity of Black and Latino males and stark opportunity gaps throughout the system that contribute in large part to wide attainment gaps for these students. We hypothesized that in schools doing comparatively better with Black or Latino males than their counterparts, educators would be strategically and comprehensively implementing evidence-based cultural, structural, and instructional practices tailored to meet their the needs and aspirations of these students. Through qualitative case studies of four schools, we identified several cross-cutting themes that provide the district and school leaders with some positive news about effective practices found in all good schools: strong school cultures, professional collaboration, differentiated instruction, and, in the elementary schools, family engagement. While we observed pockets of best practices specific to Black and Latino male education, we also brought to light unfinished business, in that none of the four case study schools had an intentional and comprehensive schoolwide approach to educating Black and Latino males. This lack of intentionality resulted in a paucity of evidence that the school administration and faculty as a whole: (a) know and value students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds; (b) adopt explicit and responsive approaches to race and gender; and (c) develop and implement a comprehensive approach to culturally responsive curriculum and instruction. We posit that lack of knowledge, intentionality, and coherence impedes further progress in educating Black and Latino males, and has implications for educators in schools, for staff members in community partner organizations, and for family members of BPS students

40Ar--39Ar dating of volcanogenic products from the AND-2A core (ANDRILL Southern McMurdo Sound Project, Antarctica): correlations with the Erebus Volcanic Province and implications for the age model of the core

The AND-2A drillcore (Antarctic Drilling Program – ANDRILL) was successfully completed in late 2007 on the Antarctic continental margin (southern McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea) with the aim of tracking ice-proximal to shallow marine environmental fluctuations and to document the 20-Ma evolution of the Erebus Volcanic Province. Lava clasts and tephra layers from the AND-2A drillcore were investigated from a petrographic and stratigraphic point of view and analyzed by the 40Ar–39Ar laser technique in order to constrain the age model of the core and to gain information on the style and nature of sediment deposition in the Victoria Land Basin since Early Miocene. Ten out of 17 samples yielded statistically robust 40Ar–39Ar ages, indicating that the AND-2A drillcore recovered !230 m of Middle Miocene (~128–358 meters below sea floor, ~11.5–16.0 Ma) and >780 m of Early Miocene (~358–1093 48 meters below sea floor, ~16.0–20.1 Ma). Results also highlight a nearly continuous stratigraphic record from at least 358 meters below sea floor down hole, characterized by a mean sedimentation rate of ~19 cm/ka, possible oscillations of no more than a few hundreds of ka and a break within ~17.5–18.1 Ma. Comparison with available data from volcanic deposits on land, suggests that volcanic rocks within the AND-2A core were supplied from the south, possibly with source areas closer to the drill site for the upper core levels, and from 358 meters below sea floor down hole, with the “proto-Mount Morning” as the main source

Ambulatory surgery for perianal Crohn’s disease. Study of feasibility

Background. One-third of Crohn’s disease (CD) patients present perianal fistula. The gold standard in the diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic perianal disease (PAD) in CD is the exploration of the anal canal and distal rectum under anesthesia (EUA). This procedure is mainly conducted as a day case surgery. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to proceed within the ideal timing and any delay may well represent a relevant clinical issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of outpatient treatment of symptomatic perianal fistulas in CD patients. Methods. All CD patients under regular follow-up at our inflammatory bowel disease referral center, presenting with symptomatic perianal fistulas, were offered surgical consultation. The data of patients were prospectively collected for three years (February 2014 to February 2017) for the purpose of the study. All clinical information, including previous EUA and/or records from MRI and endoscopic ultrasound, was included. Outpatient anal canal and distal rectum exploration and treatment (OE) were undertaken during the specialist surgical consultation. Fistulas were classified according to Parks’s classification; the type of outpatient treatment and compliance of patients were recorded. Pain was assessed by VAS at the time of the procedure and during the first control. Patients were followed up in the surgical clinic in relation to the study. Results. Ninety-two CD patients with symptomatic perianal fistulas had surgical consultation during the study period. OE was offered to all but 18 patients who fulfilled the exclusion criteria or had an extremely severe disease; six patients refused the OE (8.11%). Of the 68 patients undergoing OE, eleven (16.18%) had previous surgery for perianal disease. The OE was accomplished in sixty-one patients (89.71%), while in 7 patients, it was abandoned for scarce compliance. Nine patients (14.75%) underwent drainage of perianal abscess; in 3 of them, it was possible to probe the fistula tract, find the internal orifice, and pass a loose seton. Overall, setonage was performed in 50 patients (81.97%). Rectovaginal setons were placed in 3 patients and more than one seton (up to 3) in 6 cases. Fistulotomy was performed in 4 simple subcutaneous fistulous tracts. Concordance with the preoperative findings was found in 54 out of 61 patients. EUA was scheduled at the time of OE for the 7 patients who did not complete the procedure. All sixty-one patients who had the OE were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. Conclusions. This preliminary study indicates that OE in CD patients with symptomatic perianal fistulas is safe and feasible in a high-volume referral center. It might provide several benefits, including patients’ logistics, reduce or remove patients’ symptoms and discomfort, allow for a timely start of medical therapy, and avoid further complications

CHARACTERIZATION OF LIPASE ACTIVITY IN GREEN COFFEE BEANS DURING STORAGE AND GERMINATION

Lipase, green coffee, germination, storage, lipid Coffee seeds possess an intermediate storage pattern, showing a non-quiescent behaviour characterized by various metabolic reactions occurring during storage. In particular, lipase is the main enzyme involved in the mobilization of triacylglycerols, providing energy and a source of carbon skeleton during early stages of germination. During storage, the triacylglycerols might be involved in the generation of undesirable compounds (known as \u201coff-flavours\u201d), lowering both the viability of coffee seeds and the cup quality. In this work, the soluble protein fraction from coffee seeds and plantlets was extracted by acetone and then was utilised to assay lipase activity. Green coffee beans, harvested in Colombia, were stored at room temperature for 2-3 months, in order to verify the influence of prolonged storage on lipase activity. For germination experiments, the seeds were imbibed for 7 days at 30 \ub0C and transferred in perlite at 28 \ub0C and 90% R.H. for further 3 weeks. Lipase activity was detected by a colorimetric method based on specific degradation of a chromogenic substrate, at pH 8.2. Green coffee seeds exhibited an appreciable lipase activity that was slightly increased during storage. Such an activity was inhibited by tetrahydrolipstatin (THL) in a concentration-dependent manner, while it was slightly stimulated by both EGTA and EDTA. During the germination, after 10, 14, 17 and 21 days, lipase activity showed an initial increase that was followed by a gradual decrease. The effect of the presence or absence of the parchment (seed coat), during the first stages of germination, has also been investigated

Phospholipase activities in green coffee beans (Coffea arabica L.) harvested in different countries

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are accumulated in specialised organelles called \u201coil bodies\u201d, which are enclosed in a phospholipid monolayer embedded with some unique proteins. Upon germination, such membranes are modified to allow the availability of TAGs as an energy source during early stages of seedling growth in oilseeds. This process occurs by the sequential and/or collective action of many hydrolytic enzymes, such as phospholipases, lipoxygenases and lipases that are associated to oil body membranes. In contrast, during seed storage, oilseed lipids may undergo lipolytic degradation processes leading to a wide range of metabolites potentially harmful for seed viability. In particular, green coffee endosperm consist of approx. 99% of the mature seed mass and contains many polyunsaturated fatty acids whose degradation leads to volatile compound formation through the oxylipin pathway. In spite of this, the enzymes involved in TAGs degradation (particularly lipases) are poorly studied. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the involvement of phospholipase activity in oil body membrane degradation during storage of green coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and to determine the correlations between storage lipid mobilization and maintenance of seed viability in beans harvested in different countries (Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Tanzania). Green coffee beans were frozen and powdered in liquid nitrogen and oil bodies were extracted with cold acetone. Phospholipase A1 and A2 activities were assayed in crude extracts by a fluorimetric method, using different probes. Such activities were just partially stimulated by free Ca2+, in contrast with what reported by others. Furthermore, PLA2 activity was assayed in a wide range of pH, evidencing two peaks of pH optimum. These results suggests that green coffee bean presents at least two isoforms of PLA2. Phospholipase profiles (PLA2 and total) were correlated with the provenience of the beans, showing a higher activity in those harvested in Ethiopia, while the lower was associated to beans from India

Effect of Esca on the Quality of Berries, Musts and Wines

Variations in the composition of berries, musts and wines in three groups of vines: 1. vines with foliar esca symptoms; 2. asymptomatic esca diseased vines; and 3. healthy vines, were studied in 2001 and 2002 in two “Trebbiano d’Abruzzo” vineyards in the Abruzzi region, Italy, to determine the effect of esca. Vines were grouped by foliar symptoms that had been recorded in annual inspections for 10 years: symptomatic vines by definition showed foliar symptoms in the sampling years (2001 and 2002); asymptomatic esca diseased vines showed no symptoms during the sampling years though they were known to be diseased because they had had foliar symptoms in at least one previous annual inspections; healthy vines were those with no symptoms at any time during the 10-year survey. The quality of berries, musts and wines obtained from vines with trunk renewal that had been restored, and of healthy unrenewed vines was compared in another vineyard of the same cultivar. Fairly similar results were obtained over the two sampling years, with a strong reduction in sugar levels of the must from symptomatic vines, leading to a lower ethanol content in the wine made from that must. These findings confirmed those of the preliminary investigation carried out in 2000. The yield pressed from symptomatic vines also had significantly higher levels of malic acid (causing higher total acidity), and of total nitrogen, potassium and total polyphenols. Berries from symptomatic vines had much higher levels of trans-resveratrol, possibly because of the spots on the leaves and berries. Small and non-significant differences between the yields of healthy vines and asymptomatic diseased vines were found, suggesting a slight loss in the quality of musts and wines from asymptomatic diseased vines. The yield of trunk-renewed vines was similar to that of healthy unrenewed vines, despite an increase of trans-resveratrol in the berries and of total nitrogen in the must of the trunk-renewed vines