Moisture content at harvest is a key parameter that impacts quality and how well the cotton crop can be stored without degrading before processing. It is also a key parameter of interest for harvest ...time field trials as it can directly influence the quality of the harvested crop as well as skew the results of in-field yield and quality assessments. Microwave sensing of moisture has several unique advantages over lower frequency sensing approaches. The first is that microwaves are insensitive to variations in conductivity, due to presence of salts or minerals. The second advantage is that microwaves can peer deep inside large bulk packaging to assess the internal moisture content without performing a destructive tear down of the package. To help facilitate the development of a microwave moisture sensor for seedcotton; research was performed to determine the basic microwave properties of seedcotton. The research was performed on 110 kg micro-modules, which are of direct interest to research teams for use in ongoing field-based research projects. It should also prove useful for the enhancement of existing and future yield monitor designs. Experimental data was gathered on the basic relations between microwave material properties and seedcotton over the range from 1.0 GHz to 2.5 GHz and is reported on herein. This research is part one of a two-part series that reports on the fundamental microwave properties of seedcotton as moisture and density vary naturally during the course of typical harvesting operations; part two will utilize this data to formulate a prediction algorithm to form the basis for a prototype microwave moisture sensor.
Many authors have observed the influence of the settling velocity distribution on the sedimentation process in retention tanks. However, the pollutants’ behaviour in such tanks is not well ...characterized, especially with respect to their settling velocity distribution. This paper presents a phenomenological modelling study dealing with the way by which the settling velocity distribution of particles in combined sewage changes between entering and leaving an off-line retention tank. The work starts from a previously published model (Lessard and Beck, 1991) which is first implemented in a wastewater management modelling software, to be then tested with full-scale field data for the first time. Next, its performance is improved by integrating the particle settling velocity distribution and adding a description of the resuspension due to pumping for emptying the tank. Finally, the potential of the improved model is demonstrated by comparing the results for one more rain event.
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► A published dynamic retention tank model has been confronted with full-scale field data for the first time. ► A new phenomenological retention tank model simulating TSS behaviour is proposed. ► Its performance is validated by comparing results with full-scale data. ► Using settling velocities of particles improves simulation results in water quality modeling under storm weather conditions.
Serum androgens as well as their precursors and metabolites decrease from the age of 30–40 yr in women, thus suggesting that a more physiological hormone replacement therapy at menopause should ...contain an androgenic compound. It is important to consider, however, that most of the androgens in women, especially after menopause, are synthesized in peripheral intracrine tissues from the inactive precursors dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) of adrenal origin. Much progress in this new area of endocrine physiology called intracrinology has followed the cloning and characterization of most of the enzymes responsible for the transformation of DHEA and DHEA-S into androgens and estrogens in peripheral target tissues, where the locally produced sex steroids are exerting their action in the same cells in which their synthesis takes place without significant diffusion into the circulation, thus seriously limiting the interpretation of serum levels of active sex steroids. The sex steroids made in peripheral tissues are then inactivated locally into more water-soluble compounds that diffuse into the general circulation where they can be measured. In a series of animal models, androgens and DHEA have been found to inhibit breast cancer development and growth and to stimulate bone formation. In clinical studies, DHEA has been found to increase bone mineral density and to stimulate vaginal maturation without affecting the endometrium, while improving well-being and libido with no significant side effects. The advantage of DHEA over other androgenic compounds is that DHEA, at physiological doses, is converted into androgens and/or estrogens only in the specific intracrine target tissues that possess the appropriate physiological enzymatic machinery, thus limiting the action of the sex steroids to those tissues possessing the tissue-specific profile of expression of the genes responsible for their formation, while leaving the other tissues unaffected and thus minimizing the potential side effects observed with androgens or estrogens administered systemically.
Several hypnotic drugs have been previously identified as modulators of food intake, but exact mechanisms remain unknown. Feeding behavior implicates several neuronal populations in the hypothalamic ...arcuate nucleus including orexigenic neuropeptide Y and anorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin producing neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate in mice the impact of different hypnotic drugs on food consumption and neuropeptide Y or pro-opiomelanocortine mRNA expression level in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus.
Saline control, isoflurane, thiopental, midazolam or propofol were administered to C57Bl/6 mice. Feeding behavior was evaluated during 6 h. In situ hybridization of neuropeptide Y and pro-opiomelanocortine mRNAs in the hypothalamus brain region was also performed. Data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis test and analysis of variance (p < 0.05).
Midazolam, thiopental and propofol induced feeding behavior. Midazolam and thiopental increased neuropeptide Y mRNA level (respectively by 106 and 125%, p < 0.001) compared with control. Propofol and midazolam decreased pro-opiomelanocortine mRNA level by 31% (p < 0,01) compared with control. Isoflurane increased pro-opiomelanocortine mRNA level by 40% compared with control.
In our murine model, most hypnotics induced food consumption. The hypnotic-induced regulation of neuropeptide Y and pro-opiomelanocortine hypothalamic peptides is associated with this finding. Our data suggest that administration of some hypnotic drugs may affect hypothalamic peptide precursor and neuropeptide expression and concomittantly modulate food intake. Thus, this questions the choice of anesthetics for better care management of patients undergoing major surgery or at risk of undernutrition.
There is now evidence that oestrogens and androgens can influence male and female reproductive systems. In order to accurately identify the sites of action of oestrogens and androgens, we have ...proceeded to the histological localization of the two oestrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ERalpha and ERbeta, and the androgen receptor (AR) in the reproductive tissues of adult rats of both sexes. AR was detected by immunocytochemistry, while ERalpha and ERbeta were localized by both immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. In the pituitary gland of animals of both sexes, ERalpha was found in the majority of nuclei of secretory cells in the anterior pituitary. The intermediate and posterior lobes did not show any staining. ERbeta was not found to be expressed in any of the pituitary lobes. Using AR antibodies, nuclear staining was detected in about 50% of secretory cells of the anterior lobe, the intermediate and posterior lobes being completely unstained. In the testis, ERalpha was localized in nuclei of Leydig cells as well as in round spermatocytes and spermatids, while ERbeta could only be detected in Sertoli cell nuclei. AR immunoreactivity was found in nuclei of Sertoli, peritubular myoid and Leydig cells. In the prostate, ERbeta was observed in epithelial cells of tubulo-alveoli, while the stroma was unlabelled. ERalpha was not found to be expressed in any prostate cells. In the prostate, AR was detected in nuclei of epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells. In seminal vesicles, staining of ERalpha was found in nuclei of epithelial and stromal cells. Similar findings were observed using AR antibodies. While ERbeta mRNA could not be detected by in situ hybridization, weak staining for ERbeta was localized in epithelial cells of seminal vesicles. In the ovary, both ERalpha and ERbeta were found to be expressed. ERbeta mRNA was found in granulosa cells of growing follicles, while ERalpha was present in theca cells, interstitial gland cells and germinal epithelium. AR immunoreactivity was detected in granulosa cell nuclei in growing follicles and also in scattered interstitial cells. In the oviduct and uterus, ERalpha was observed in nuclei of epithelial cells as well as of stromal and muscle cells. Similarly, AR immunoreactivity was present in nuclei of epithelial cells, stromal and muscle cells in both the oviduct and uterus. ERbeta was not detected in the oviduct and uterus. The present findings indicate a cell-specific localization of ERalpha, ERbeta and AR in reproductive tissues in rats of both sexes. By establishing the precise sites of action of oestrogens and androgens they contribute to a better understanding of the respective role of these steroids in reproduction function.
It is well documented that oestrogen suppresses food intake by an action at the hypothalamic level. Using in situ hybridisation, we studied the effect of castration (CX) and short‐term administration ...of oestradiol (E2) in CX female mice for three neuropeptides involved in feeding behaviour: two anorexigenic peptides, (i) the pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC)‐derived peptide α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone and (ii) corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH), and the orexigenic peptide, (iii) neuropeptide Y (NPY). POMC‐expressing neurones were mostly laterally located in the arcuate nucleus. POMC mRNA expression was decreased following CX and a single injection of E2 induced an increase in mRNA levels at 12‐ and 24‐h time intervals. In the parvocellular area of the paraventricular nucleus, CRH mRNA levels were similarly decreased after CX and completely restored to normal levels at 12 and 24 h following E2 injection. On the other hand, the levels of NPY mRNA expressed in neurones located in the inner zone of the arcuate nucleus were increased by CX and decreased to the levels observed in intact animals by E2 injection (3–24 h). The present data suggest that oestrogen might exert an anorexigenic action by stimulating POMC and CRH mRNA expression and decreasing NPY mRNA expression in the hypothalamus.
Most of the world's population in developed regions lives in urban areas, with this proportion growing annually. A key question regarding this trend is the effects that reduced contact with nature ...may have on human well-being and functioning. In this paper, we propose to evaluate, using the empirical literature, the hypothesis that human beings have a basic psychological need for nature relatedness. This proposition could have positive benefits for human well-being, the way we design human environments and communities, and the natural environment itself if properly evidenced; however, to date, no article has evaluated the extant literature for such a purpose. The objective of this paper is to use previous conceptualisations of basic psychological needs, and the criteria proposed by Baumeister and Leary (1995) and Sheldon (2011) to critically examine whether enough evidence exists to support this proposition. Research from diverse research areas are reviewed, with conclusions drawn for each criterion as well as for the overall literature. In general, research supports the proposition for a basic psychological need for nature relatedness, with stronger evidence pointing to the idea of this as a need-as-requirement than a need-as-motive, though both are well-evidenced.
La population mondiale des régions développées vit majoritairement en zone urbaine, et cette proportion croît d'année en année. La principale question concernant cette tendance a trait aux effets éventuels du contact réduit avec la nature sur le mieux-être et le fonctionnement humain. Dans le présent article, nous proposons d'évaluer, au regard des écrits empiriques, l'hypothèse voulant que les êtres humains aient un besoin psychologique fondamental de liaison avec la nature. Cette proposition, si elle est dûment étayée, pourrait avoir des effets positifs sur le mieux-être humain, sur la façon dont nous concevons les collectivités et les milieux humains, ainsi que sur l'environnement naturel. Or, à ce jour, aucun article n'a évalué les publications existantes dans un tel objectif. Le présent article vise à utiliser les conceptualisations établies des besoins psychologiques de base ainsi que les critères proposés par Baumeister et Leary (1995) ainsi que Sheldon (2011) pour examiner de manière critique s'il existe suffisamment de preuves pour étayer cette proposition. La recherche effectuée dans divers domaines sera examinée, et des conclusions seront tirées pour chaque critère, ainsi que pour la documentation dans son ensemble. De manière générale, la recherche confirme la proposition voulant que l'humain ait un besoin psychologique fondamental de liaison avec la nature. Des preuves mieux étayées semblent indiquer qu'il s'agit d'un besoin motivé par la nécessité plutôt que par la volonté, même si ces deux possibilités sont bien démontrées.
Nuclear segmentation is a hallmark feature of mammalian neutrophil differentiation, but the mechanisms that control this process are poorly understood. Gene expression in maturing neutrophils ...requires combinatorial actions of lineage-restricted and more widely expressed transcriptional regulators. Examples include interactions of the widely expressed ETS transcription factor, GA-binding protein (GABP), with the relatively lineage-restricted E-twenty-six (ETS) factor, PU.1, and with CCAAT enhancer binding proteins, C/EBPα and C/EBPε. Whether such cooperative interactions between these transcription factors also regulate the expression of genes encoding proteins that control nuclear segmentation is unclear. We investigated the roles of ETS and C/EBP family transcription factors in regulating the gene encoding the lamin B receptor (LBR), an inner nuclear membrane protein whose expression is required for neutrophil nuclear segmentation. Although C/EBPε was previously shown to bind the Lbr promoter, surprisingly, we found that neutrophils derived from Cebpe null mice exhibited normal Lbr gene and protein expression. Instead, GABP provided transcriptional activation through the Lbr promoter in the absence of C/EBPε, and activities supported by GABP were greatly enhanced by either C/EBPε or PU.1. Both GABP and PU.1 bound Ets sites in the Lbr promoter in vitro, and in vivo within both early myeloid progenitors and differentiating neutrophils. These findings demonstrate that GABP, PU.1, and C/EBPε cooperate to control transcription of the gene encoding LBR, a nuclear envelope protein that is required for the characteristic lobulated morphology of mature neutrophils.
The TRANSPARENT TESTA8 (TT8) locus is involved in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. The tt8-3 allele was isolated from a T-DNA-mutagenized Arabidopsis collection and found to ...be tagged by an integrative molecule, thus permitting the cloning and sequencing of the TT8 gene. TT8 identity was confirmed by complementation of tt8-3 and sequence analysis of an additional allele. The TT8 gene encodes a protein that displays a basic helix-loop-helix at its C terminus and represents an Arabidopsis ortholog of the maize R transcription factors. The TT8 transcript is present in developing siliques and in young seedlings. The TT8 protein is required for normal expression of two flavonoid late biosynthetic genes, namely, DIHYDROFLAVONOL 4-REDUCTASE (DFR) and BANYULS (BAN), in Arabidopsis siliques. Interestingly, TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1) and TT2 genes also control the expression of DFR and BAN genes. Our results suggest that the TT8, TTG1, and TT2 proteins may interact to control flavonoid metabolism in the Arabidopsis seed coat.
This paper investigates the nature of the MHD turbulence excited by the streaming of accelerated cosmic rays in a shock wave precursor. The two recognised regimes (non-resonant and resonant) of the ...streaming instability are taken into account. We show that the non-resonant instability is very efficient and saturates through a balance between its growth and non-linear transfer. The cosmic-ray resonant instability then takes over and is quenched by advection through the shock. The level of turbulence is determined by the non-resonant regime if the shock velocity V sub(sh) is larger than a few times sub(CR) c, where sub(CR) is the ratio of the cosmic-ray pressure to the shock kinetic energy. The instability determines the dependence of the spectrum with respect to k sub( )(wavenumbers along the shock normal). The transverse cascade of Alfven waves simultaneously determines the dependence in k sub( perpendicular ). We also study the redistribution of turbulent energy between forward and backward waves, which occurs through the interaction of two Alfven and one slow magneto-sonic wave. Eventually the spectra at the longest wavelengths are found almost proportional to k super(-) sub( ) super(1). Downstream, anisotropy is further enhanced through the compression at shock crossing.
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