Producing food according to the sustainability and “circular economy” principles is considered a strategic goal by several world Institutions. Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) responds to ...these criteria and stemming from it, the “Self-sufficient Integrated Multitrophic AquaPonic” (SIMTAP) aims to drastically reduce production inputs and waste outputs while maximizing the total food production. In order to succeed, proper selection of the most suitable fish, intermediate organisms and plant species to be grown in the system plays a fundamental role. To validate the SIMTAP concept and experimental prototype, the biological characteristics of fish and other species should be assessed taking into account their complementarity and adaptability to the physical and technical traits of the considered system.
This study aimed to identify the most suitable marine organisms for food production within the SIMTAP system and to create a decision model via the DEXi decision support system. Hence, in the present work a brief description of the SIMTAP concept, as well as the biological, zootechnical and commercial characteristics of several candidate fish species, are discussed. The criteria considered to address the species selection were: natural geo-distribution, domestication degree, environmental requirements, feeding regime, growth performances, and market value. The candidate species were: Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, Mugil cephalus, Diplodus puntazzo, Seriola dumerili, Umbrina cirrosa, Argyrosomus regius, Psetta maxima, Acipenser spp., Solea spp., Octopus vulgaris. Finally, it seems that the DEXi approach increased the objectivity of the species selection process. Gilthead Sea Bream, European Sea Bass and Flathead Grey Mullet resulted to be the most suitable species for SIMTAP production.
•Selecting suitable fish species for marine/brackish water land based IMTA systems•Literature review of the most common aquaculture species in the Mediterranean area•Multi-criteria decision method (DEXi) to select the suitable species•The suitable species selected by DEXi are Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax•DEXi represents a comprehensive tool for species selection in aquaculture and IMTA
The mix of oilseed rape with service crops is currently considered to be an interesting way to reduce the use of external inputs by supporting the provision of ecosystem services. Our aim was to ...synthesize knowledge on the services provided by service crops mixed with oilseed rape, in order to inform the choice of service crops using the trait-function-service functional ecology approach. To do so, we built a simulation model of trait-functionservice based on expert knowledge and the scientific literature on weed regulation, nitrogen recycling, and pest regulation, as well as the disservice related to competition. We simulated the ecosystem services and the disservice provided by 20 service crops clustered in functional groups. Our results showed that the trait values of height, dead biomass in contact with the soil, growth rate, earliness, leaf area, nitrogen fixing capacity, drought resistance and biomass production potential were the traits that were decisive for the classification of species into functional groups. The services provided differed according to the functional groups and therefore the values of their traits. Hence, some functional groups can provide multiple services while some are single service. We also showed that the level of the disservice increased when the ecosystem services provided increased. Our results showed that the trait values of height, dead biomass in contact with the soil, growth rate, earliness, leaf area, nitrogen fixing capacity, drought resistance and biomass production potential were the traits that were decisive for the classification of species into functional groups. The services provided differed according to the functional groups and therefore the values of their traits. Hence, some functional groups can provide multiple services while some are single service. We also showed that the level of the disservice increased when the ecosystem services provided increased. The identification of the traits of interest allows us to orient research on the assembly rules of the traits and thus the interspecific mixtures with oilseed rape most likely to provide a given ecosystem service.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are dominant cargo in exosomes and act as master regulators of cell function, inhibiting mRNA translation and affecting gene silencing. Some aspects of tissue-specific miRNA ...transport in bladder cancer (BC) and its role in cancer progression are not fully understood.
A microarray was used to identify miRNAs in mouse bladder carcinoma cell line MB49 exosomes. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the expression of miRNAs in BC and healthy donor serum. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining were used to examine the expression of dexamethasone-induced protein (DEXI) in patients with BC. CRISPR-Cas 9 was used to knock out Dexi in MB49, and flow cytometry was performed to test cell proliferation ability and apoptosis under chemotherapy. Human BC organoid culture, miR-3960 transfection, and 293T-exosome-loaded miR-3960 delivery were used to analyze the effect of miR-3960 on BC progression.
The results showed that miR-3960 levels in BC tissue were positively correlated with patient survival time. Dexi was a major target of miR-3960. Dexi knockout inhibited MB49 cell proliferation and promoted cisplatin- and gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. Transfection of miR-3960 mimic inhibited DEXI expression and organoid growth. In parallel, 293T-exosome-loaded miR-3960 delivery and Dexi knockout significantly inhibited subcutaneous growth of MB49 cells in vivo.
Our results demonstrate the potential role of miR-3960-mediated inhibition of DEXI as a therapeutic strategy against BC.
•The expression of miR-3960 in BC patients were positively correlated with survival.•DEXI knockdown inhibits MB49 cell proliferation.•Transfection of miR-3960 inhibited BC organoid growth.•Inhibition of DEXI suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy against bladder BC.
Computer vision plays a big role in pipeline leakage detection systems and is one of the latest techniques. Still, it requires a powerful image-processing algorithm to detect objects. The purpose of ...this work is to develop and implement spill detection in oil pipes caused by leakage using images taken by a drone equipped with a Raspberry Pi 4. The acquired images are sent to the base station along with the global positioning system (GPS) location of the captured images via the message queuing telemetry transport Internet of Things (MQTT IoT) protocol. At the base station, images are processed to identify contours by dense extreme inception networks for edge detection(DexiNed) deep learning techniques based on holistically-nested edge detection(HED) and extreme inception (Xception) networks. This algorithm is capable of finding many contours in images. To find a contour with black color, the CIELAB color space (LAB) has been used. The proposed algorithm removes small contours and computes the area of the remaining contours. If the contour is above the threshold value, it is considered a spill; otherwise, it will be saved in a database for further inspection. For testing purposes, three different spill areas were implemented with spill sizes of (1 m^2,2 m^2 ,and 3 m^2). Images have been captured at three different heights (5 m, 10 m, and 15 m) by the drone used to capture the images. The result shows that effective detection has been obtained at 10 meters high. To monitor the entire system, a web application has been integrated into the base station.
Assessment of sustainability is a multicriteria problem that addresses several criteria belonging to various themes structured in sustainability dimensions. There is the need for a relevant ...aggregation method in addition to the disaggregated indicators. To face this challenge, we developed a new aggregation method, CONTRA, which is based on a decision tree using fuzzy sets. We attempted to combine the advantages of previous tools like DEXi and FisPro that ensure simplicity, flexibility and transparency while limiting subjectivity in the design of decision trees. The results of two examples of implementation in the agricultural sector and a sensitivity test highlight the functionalities of the tool and its discrimination potential. The possibility offered by the tool to correct predetermined decision rules makes it possible to cope with compensation between input variables, an important issue in aggregation. The next step will be the finalisation of the Excel prototype in a user-friendly software.
•CONTRA is a new aggregation tool for multicriteria assessment of sustainability.•CONTRA is based on decision trees using fuzzy sets.•CONTRA combines the simplicity, flexibility and transparency of previous tools.•CONTRA was designed to manage both weighting and compensation between criteria.•CONTRA has already been successfully used in two research projects.
Growing awareness of global challenges and increasing pressures on the farming sector, including the urgent requirement to rapidly cut greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, emphasize the need for ...sustainable production, which is particularly relevant for dairy production systems. Comparing dairy production systems across the three sustainability dimensions is a considerable challenge, notably due to the heterogeneity of production conditions in Europe. To overcome this, we developed an ex post multicriteria assessment tool that adopts a holistic approach across the three sustainability dimensions. This tool is based on the DEXi framework, which associates a hierarchical decision model with an expert perspective and follows a tree shaped structure; thus, we called it the DEXi-Dairy tool. For each dimension of sustainability, qualitative attributes were defined and organized in themes, sub-themes, and indicators. Their choice was guided by three objectives: (i) better describe main challenges faced by European dairy production systems, (ii) point out synergies and trade-offs across sustainability dimensions, and (iii) contribute to the identification of GHG mitigation strategies at the farm level. Qualitative scales for each theme, sub-theme, and indicator were defined together with weighting factors used to aggregate each level of the tree. Based on selected indicators, a list of farm data requirements was developed to populate the sustainability tree. The model was then tested on seven case study farms distributed across Europe. DEXi-Dairy presents a qualitative method that allows for the comparison of different inputs and the evaluation of the three sustainability dimensions in an integrated manner. By assessing synergies and trade-offs across sustainability dimensions, DEXi-Dairy is able to reflect the heterogeneity of dairy production systems. Results indicate that, while trade-offs occasionally exist among respective selected sub-themes, certain farming systems tend to achieve a higher sustainability score than others and hence could serve as benchmarks for further analyses.
Modern intensive agriculture has to face the challenge of feeding the world's growing population while reducing its environmental impacts. Assessing in an ex ante way the sustainability of innovative ...cropping systems will increase the efficiency of the innovation process. To this aim, DEXiPM (DEXi Pest Management) has been developed for ex ante assessment of the sustainability of arable cropping systems, particularly integrated crop management systems with a limited use of pesticides. It has 75 basic indicators describing the cropping system and the context of the assessment, and 86 aggregated indicators, assessing the usual three dimensions of sustainability in terms of social, environmental and economic issues. DEXiPM was implemented to assess and compare current and innovative winter crop- and maize-based cropping systems for a French region. The evaluation results showed that innovative cropping systems with a limited use of pesticides can have a better overall sustainability, despite the fact that some of the indicators can be negatively impacted. DEXiPM is a relevant tool to evaluate the sustainability of actual cropping systems, to diagnose their strong and weak points and, on this basis, to encourage discussions during the design of innovative cropping systems that will afterwards be tested in fields. The design of DEXiPM is also based on a state of the art on agricultural sustainability which led to point out gaps in knowledge that need to be filled (e.g. the impact of crop management on biodiversity). From the discussions of the design phase and the implementation test, improvements have been highlighted. The version presented here includes them as well as the results of the first feedbacks from users and from an evaluation phase. The coherency of cropping system assessments has been judged by experts and found consistent, constituting the first step of the model evaluation. Sensitivity analysis and comparison with quantitative methods are currently on-going to evaluate the accuracy of the model to rank cropping systems.
Aims/hypothesis
The initial stages of type 1 diabetes are characterised by an aberrant islet inflammation that is in part regulated by the interaction between type 1 diabetes susceptibility genes and ...environmental factors. Chromosome 16p13 is associated with type 1 diabetes and
CLEC16A
is thought to be the aetiological gene in the region. Recent gene expression analysis has, however, indicated that SNPs in
CLEC16A
modulate the expression of a neighbouring gene with unknown function named
DEXI
, encoding dexamethasone-induced protein (DEXI). We therefore evaluated the role of DEXI in beta cell responses to ‘danger signals’ and determined the mechanisms involved.
Methods
Functional studies based on silencing or overexpression of DEXI were performed in rat and human pancreatic beta cells. Beta cell inflammation and apoptosis, driven by a synthetic viral double-stranded RNA, were evaluated by real-time PCR, western blotting and luciferase assays.
Results
DEXI-silenced beta cells exposed to a synthetic double-stranded RNA (polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid PIC, a by-product of viral replication) showed reduced activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and lower production of proinflammatory chemokines that was preceded by a reduction in IFNβ levels. Exposure to PIC increased chromatin-bound DEXI and
IFNβ
promoter activity. This effect on
IFNβ
promoter was inhibited in DEXI-silenced beta cells, suggesting that DEXI is implicated in the regulation of
IFNβ
transcription. In a mirror image of knockdown experiments, DEXI overexpression led to increased levels of STAT1 and proinflammatory chemokines.
Conclusions/interpretation
These observations support
DEXI
as the aetiological gene in the type 1 diabetes-associated 16p13 genomic region, and provide the first indication of a link between this candidate gene and the regulation of local antiviral immune responses in beta cells. Moreover, our results provide initial information on the function of DEXI.
The eastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) is a climatically sensitive area affected by the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM). A new pollen record from a lacustrine sediment in Mao County shows that the study area ...was covered mainly by shrubs and herbs during the last deglaciation, indicating open and sparse forest grasslands. Hydrophilous herbs were mainly dominated by Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Myriophyllum, Polygonum and Typha, and they gradually increased from 18.7 to 16.8 ka, suggesting a transition to a more humid climate. This corresponds to climate cooling over the same period. From 16.8 to 14.6 ka, hydrophilous herbs continued to increase, coincident with a general ameliorating trend indicated by δ18O records from East Asia. Between 14.6 and 14.0 ka, the mean content of hydrophilous herbs reached peak in the sequence, corresponding to relatively high δ18O values during this period. From ~14.0 to 12.9 ka, the abundance of hydrophilous herbs decreased significantly. Over the same period, the Greenland ice core shows a decrease in δ18O and low-latitude cave stalagmites in China record an increase in δ18O. This implies that longitudinal temperature gradients increased and drove the southward retreat of the ISM, which in turn drove a continuous decrease in the abundance of hydrophilous herbs in the study area. From 12.9 to 11.6 ka, the mean content of hydrophilous herbs decreased to the lowest (8.3%) in the whole sequence, indicating a cold and dry climate in the study area. A positive shift in δ18O records during 11.6-10.6 ka was matched by a significant increase in the abundance of hydrophilous herbs in the study area, indicating a warm and humid climate trending. Hence, the ISM has had a significant impact on the climate of the eastern TP since the onset of deglaciation around ~16.8 ka.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Research Question: This paper recommends the method for selecting the optimal ammunition caliber for the automatic rifle that will be used to equip Serbian Army units. Motivation/idea: The selection ...of adequate caliber does not only represent a challenge for the decision-makers in the military, but also provides information to the industry to adjust to given requests. In the current conditions, the purpose-built industry of the Republic of Serbia is faced with two key tasks that are completely correlated: meeting the needs of the Serbian Army for quality ammunition and being competitive on the market. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to develop a qualitative model based on the DEX method and DEXi software applied in the selection of caliber ammunition for automatic rifles for the needs of members of the Serbian Army. This paper connects for the first time the qualitative DEX method with a product of this industry. Data / Tools: In order to meet the requirements of the multi-criteria decision-making, we developed the DEX model to be used to solve the problem of making decisions about the selection of optimal caliber for rearming the Serbian Army, as well as its cost-effectiveness. The alternatives are calibers for automatic rifles 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm that are currently in use in the Serbian Army, as well as the new 6.5 mm caliber which has been announced by the expert authorities. We defined the selection of criteria functions from technical and logistic standpoints. Using the DEX method and DEXi software enables us to obtain independent recommendations by applying different criteria. Findings: Results of this research show that the caliber is a very important component when it comes to army’s armament. At the same time, this question poses a challenge for the sustainable development of the weapons industry. As the optimal caliber, among the offered, after processing the input data in the DEXi software, the authors propose a caliber of 5.56 mm. This caliber dominates in most criteria and as such, it represents the best choice. Contribution: This paper contributes to the creation of sustainable development policies on the national and regional levels and it helps the key decision-makers in the military make decisions. Results of such and similar research, and the fact that the international market has a growing need for ammunition of this caliber should be guidelines for the domestic weapons industry for future development and investment.
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