The effect of tyres and a rubber track at high axle loads on soil compaction-Part 2: Multi-axle machine studies

This paper reports on a study of the effect of the passage of multi-axle harvesting machines on the soil physical properties. In particular, it investigates the effect of the rear tyre of a combine harvester on the amount of soil compaction subsequent to the passage of the front tyre/track. The work was conducted in controlled laboratory conditions to determine the effect of a simulated self-propelled combine harvester with a total machine weight of 30–33 t. This was assessed by embedding talcum powder tracer lines in the soil to measure soil displacement and soil density changes. Dry bulk density and penetrometer resistance were also measured. The results showed that the benefit of the rubber track found by Ansorge and Godwin [2007a. The effect of tyres and a rubber track at high axle loads on soil compaction: Part 1: Single Axle Studies. Biosystems Engineering 98 (1), 115–126] was maintained after the additional passage of the rear tyre. After the passage of a track the effect of rear tyre size was insignificant, but the rear tyre size had a significant influence on soil density when following a leading tyre. This was due to a higher strength layer at the soil surface created by the track which was able to withstand the load of the subsequent passes and protect the soil below from further compaction. Results similar to those found for a tracked machine were also achieved by three passes of a 900 mm section width tyre at 5 t load and 0.5 bar inflation pressure. The track results for the 33 t machine were very similar to those of a smaller combine harvester with a total load of 11 t and similar rut width. The study confirmed the benefit of tracks with regard to soil compaction and emphasised the fact that total axle loads and machine weights are less important than how the loads are distributed to the soil

God\u27s Tenderness in all Creatures: the Fundamental Thought of the Encyclical of Pope Francis "Laudato Sì"

Enciklika pape Franje Laudato sì, objavljena 2015. godine, orijentir je suvremenoga doktrinarnog učenja o stvaranju. U radu se sažimlju osnovni pojmovi teksta u sedam koraka. Polazište je pregled hitnih izazova koji kršćanska teologija o stvaranju lica doživljava u osvit 21. stoljeća. U tom kontekstu, drugi korak opisuje teološki i pastoralni cilj enciklike. Stoga sljedeći korak razjašnjava odnos između suvremenih “znakova vremena” i doktrinarnog učenja u enciklici. Četvrti korak opisuje Papin koncept sveobuhvatnog pristupa izazovima u gospodarstvu, politici i okolišu. U tom smislu, peti korak skicira Papinu kritiku tzv. „tehnokratske paradigme“. Dok šesti korak opisuje njegovu koncepciju temeljne veze i univerzalne solidarnosti svih stvorenja, posljednji korak razotkriva pojam Božje “nježnosti”, koja je ključna za Papino teološko rasuđivanje o stvaranju i njegovoj duhovnosti.Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato sì“, published in 2015, is a landmark of contemporary doctrinal teaching on creation. The paper summarizes the basic concepts of the text in seven steps. The starting point is an outline of urgent challenges Christian theology on creation faces at the dawn of 21st century. Against this background, the second step expounds the theological and pastoral objective of the encyclical. Hence, the next step elucidates the relationship between contemporary “signs of the times” and doctrinal teaching in the encyclical. The fourth step outlines the Pope’s concept of a comprehensive approach to the outstanding challenges in economy, politics and environment. On this line, the fifth step sketches the Pope’s criticism of the so-called “technocratic paradigm”. While the sixth step expounds his conception of the fundamental link and universal solidarity of all creatures, the final step exposes the notion of God’s “tenderness” which is crucial for the Pope’s theological reasoning on creation and his spirituality

Das Wagnis der Liebe : theologische Überlegungen zur Endlichkeit des Menschen und zur Idee Gottes

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Comparison of soil compaction below wheels and tracks

This study investigated the effect of high axle loads carried on self propelled wheels and tracks on soil bulk density, soil deformation, rut depth, and penetrometer resistance under controlled laboratory conditions. Furthermore pressure distribution below a three and a two idler track was measured. A brief field study was also conducted to compare the results gained under laboratory conditions. The benefit of the “Terra Trac” driving systems compared to wheel type systems was clearly shown in uniform and stratified soil conditions. Soil deformation was reduced to 50 % for the tracks compared to the wheels at an overall load of 12 t and 10.5 t, respec­tively. Penetrometer resistance showed a very high resistance close to the surface for the tracks. In uniform soil conditions there was no significant increase in penetrometer resis­tance compared to the control below 400 mm depth. Reducing the inflation pressure to half the recommended inflation pressure reduced soil deformation by 25 %. Three passes of a tire increased soil density by 20 % compared to a single pass. The three idler track showed only a 50 % increase in pressure from the front to the rear sprocket compared to a 100 % increase for the two idler track. Single peaks in pressure below each idler were less pronounced for the three idler track. Unfortunately the advan­tage in the pressure distribution for the three idler track did not lead to significant im­proved behavior concerning soil compaction. The advantage of a tracked combine compared to a wheeled combine is also shown in field measurements. The root system of oil seed rape in former track ruts is more developed than in former wheel ruts. Soil physical properties after the passage were compared to the predictions of two models. The tendency was correct, however the real values were largely offset

TDP-43 expression in mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Redistribution of nuclear TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) to the cytoplasm and ubiquitinated inclusions of spinal motor neurons and glial cells is characteristic of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology. Recent evidence suggests that TDP-43 pathology is common to sporadic ALS and familial ALS without SOD1 mutation, but not SOD1-related fALS cases. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether TDP-43 abnormalities occur in non-ALS forms of motor neuron disease. Here, we characterise TDP-43 localisation, expression levels and post-translational modifications in mouse models of ALS and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>TDP-43 mislocalisation to ubiquitinated inclusions or cytoplasm was notably lacking in anterior horn cells from transgenic mutant SOD1^G93Amice. In addition, abnormally phosphorylated or truncated TDP-43 species were not detected in fractionated ALS mouse spinal cord or brain. Despite partial colocalisation of TDP-43 with SMN, depletion of SMN- and coilin-positive Cajal bodies in motor neurons of affected SMA mice did not alter nuclear TDP-43 distribution, expression or biochemistry in spinal cords.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results emphasise that TDP-43 pathology characteristic of human sporadic ALS is not a core component of the neurodegenerative mechanisms caused by SOD1 mutation or SMN deficiency in mouse models of ALS and SMA, respectively.</p

Inhibitors of Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV and Aminopeptidase N Target Major Pathogenetic Steps in Acne Initiation

Acne is a chronic disease hallmarked by sebaceous hyperplasia, follicular hyperkeratosis, and inflammation. Parallel targeting of these factors is required to treat acne effectively. Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) and aminopeptidase N (APN) show strong anti-inflammatory effects on immune cells and therapeutic efficacy in autoimmune disorders. Our investigation focused on the expression and functional relevance of these ectopeptidases in three cell types which exhibit an altered phenotype in early acne lesions. We showed for the first time expression of DP IV and APN on human sebocytes. In the SZ95 sebocyte cell line, the DP IV inhibitors Lys[Z(NO2)]-thiazolidide and Lys[Z(NO2)]-pyrrolidide and the APN inhibitors actinonin and bestatin suppressed proliferation, enhanced terminal differentiation, and slightly decreased total neutral lipid production. The anti-inflammatory and differentiation-restoring cytokine IL-1 receptor antagonist was significantly upregulated in SZ95 sebocytes and the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line in the presence of inhibitors. Furthermore, the inhibitors suppressed proliferation and IL-2 production of Propionibacterium acnes-stimulated T cells ex vivo and enhanced the expression of the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor-β1. Our data provide first evidence for a functional role of DP IV and APN in the sebaceous gland apparatus and for their inhibitors, used alone or in combination, as completely new substances possibly affecting acne pathogenesis in a therapeutic manner