Climate management in tomato greenhouse market gardens

An efficient climate management is essential to achieve a high production in tomato greenhouse market gardens. Temperature, especially, is very important since it has a large influence on both the vegetative and the generative growth. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of low temperature pulses (LTP) on the fruit growth. The study was carried out both through a literature study and through an empirical study done in three commercial greenhouse market gardens growing tomato. During a ten week period in the spring of 2007 weekly growth, stem diameter, leaf length, length of truss peduncle, peduncle diameter, number of fruits per truss, fruit diameter and height, total number of fruit on the plants, amount of harvested fruit, and individual fruit weights were measured. Climatic data was gathered from PRIVA environmental computers, which were used in all three market gardens. Due to reluctance from the participating growers to use LTPs, and a lack of literature on the subject, the question of whether LTP has an effect on fruit growth remains unanswered. The effect of night temperature and average temperature was also included in the study. There were correlations between night temperature and the number of fruit; the R2 values were very low however, indicating that hardly any of the variation in the plant parameters can be explained by the night temperature. Lower average temperature lead to larger but fewer fruits, while a higher average temperature lead to slightly smaller first fruits, but a higher yield; this is confirmed in the literature. The harvest was closely related to the weekly average temperature where a high average temperature one week resulted in a high yield the following week.En effektiv klimatstyrning är grundläggande för att uppnå en hög produktion i tomatväxthus. Särskilt temperaturstyrning är viktigt då temperaturen har en stor inverkan på både den vegetativa och den generative tillväxten av plantorna. Den huvudsakliga målsättningen med examensarbetet var att undersöka effekten av lågtemperaturpulser (LTP) på fruktutvecklingen. Studien omfattade både en litteraturstudie och en empirisk studie som utfördes hos tre tomatodlare i södra Sverige. Under en tioveckorsperiod våren 2007 mättes stamtillväxt, stamdiameter, bladlängd, klasstjälkslängd, klasstjälkdiameter, antal frukter per klase, fruktdiameter och –höjd, totalt antal frukter på plantan, skördemängd och individuella fruktvikter. Klimatdata samlades in från PRIVA klimatdatorer; ett system som alla tre odlarna använde sig av. På grund av odlarnas tveksamheter att använda LTP, samt bristen på relevant litteratur i ämnet, gjorde att frågan om huruvida LTP har en effekt på fruktutvecklingen förblir obesvarad. Effekten av nattemperatur samt medeltemperatur var också innefattat i studien. Det fanns korrelationer mellan nattemperatur och antalet frukter på plantorna; R2 värdena var däremot så låga att i stort sett inga av variationerna i växtparametrarna kan förklaras av förändringar i nattemperaturen. Låg medeltemperatur ledde till stora men färre frukter, medans en högre medeltemperatur ledde till något mindre frukter men en totalt högre skörd; dessa resultat bekräftas i litteraturen. Skörden var nära förknippad med medeltemperaturen: en hög medeltemperatur under en vecka ledde till en hög skörd veckan därpå

Gas6 and the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The molecular biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is complex and not fully understood. We have recently found that the expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl in the RCC tumors independently correlates with survival of the patients. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we have investigated the role of Axl and its ligand Gas6, the vitamin-K dependent protein product of the growth arrest-specific gene 6, in clear cell RCC (ccRCC) derived cells. The Axl protein was highly expressed in ccRCC cells deficient in functional von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein, a tumor suppressor gene often inactivated in ccRCC. VHL reconstituted cells expressed decreased levels of Axl protein, but not Axl mRNA, suggesting VHL to regulate Axl expression. Gas6-mediated activation of Axl in ccRCC cells resulted in Axl phosphorylation, receptor down-regulation, decreased cell-viability and migratory capacity. No effects of the Gas6/Axl system could be detected on invasion. Moreover, in ccRCC tumor tissues, Axl was phosphorylated and Gas6 gamma-carboxylated, suggesting these molecules to be active in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide novel information regarding the complex function of the Gas6/Axl system in ccRCC

Var tar det stopp? - En studie om överensstämmelsen mellan planerad och realiserad HR-strategi

Syftet med uppsatsen är att skapa en förståelse för överensstämmelsen mellan planerad och realiserad HR-strategi hos HR-avdelning, mellanchefer och medarbetare; med fokus på urval, utvärdering, belöning och utveckling. För att uppnå syftet har en kvalitativ fallstudie genomförts. En ostrukturerad intervju och nio semistrukturerade har utförts. Teorier kring HRM och Personnel Management tas upp samt kopplingen mellan företagsstrategi och HR-strategi belyses. En redogörelse görs för de fyra HR-processerna; urval, utvärdering, belöning och utveckling. Företaget som fallstudien behandlar är verksamt inom byggbranschen och tillhandahåller högkvalitativa verktyg. Utifrån HR-avdelningens planerade strategi har personalansvariga mellanchefer och några av deras medarbetare intervjuats för att undersöka hur HR-strategin realiseras. Resultatet visar att realiseringen av en HR-strategi kan ta stopp på alla nivåer i företaget, det vill säga hos HR-avdelningen, mellancheferna och medarbetarna. Kommunikation inom och mellan olika nivåer är avgörande för att HR-strategin ska realiseras. Mellancheferna har en mycket viktig roll som strategiförmedlare. Det finns inget generaliserbart bästa sätt i ett företag att utforma HR-processerna på, utan de bör anpassas efter varje avdelnings förutsättningar

Investigations of a Possible Chemical Effect of Salvadora persica

Salvadora persica is commonly used chewing sticks in many parts of the world as an oral hygiene tool. This study measured the amount of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) released into the mouth and assessed its retention time in saliva. The study also tested if the released amount of BITC could potentially be antibacterial or cytotoxic. Twelve subjects brushed their teeth with fresh Miswak once, twice, and four times. The amount of BITC in the saliva and in the used brushes was quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antibacterial effect of BITC and Miswak essential oil (MEO) was tested against Haemophilus influenzae, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. The cytotoxic effect on gingival fibroblasts and keratinocytes was tested using MTT. The highest amount of the active compounds was detected in saliva after using the Miswak tip for once and immediately. It significantly decreased when the Miswak tip was used more than once and thus after 10 min. The growth of the tested bacteria was inhibited by MEO and BITC in a dose dependent manner, P. gingivalis being the most sensitive. MTT assay showed that BITC and MEO were cytotoxic towards gingival fibroblasts while oral keratinocytes showed resistance. This study suggests that the Miswak tip should be cut before each use to ensure the maximum effect

Comprehensive sex steroid profiling in multiple tissues reveals novel insights in sex steroid distribution in male mice

A comprehensive atlas of sex steroid distribution in multiple tissues is currently lacking, and how circulating and tissue sex steroid levels correlate remains unknown. Here, we adapted and validated a gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous measurement of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, progesterone (Prog), estradiol, and estrone in mouse tissues. We then mapped the sex steroid pattern in 10 different endocrine, reproductive, and major body compartment tissues and serum of gonadal intact and orchiectomized (ORX) male mice. In gonadal intact males, high levels of DHT were observed in reproductive tissues, but also in white adipose tissue (WAT). A major part of the total body reservoir of androgens (T and DHT) and Prog was found in WAT. Serum levels of androgens and Prog were strongly correlated with corresponding levels in the brain while only modestly correlated with corresponding levels in WAT. After orchiectomy, the levels of the active androgens T and DHT decreased markedly while Prog levels in male reproductive tissues increased slightly. In ORX mice, Prog was by far the most abundant sex steroid, and, again, WAT constituted the major reservoir of Prog in the body. In conclusion, we present a comprehensive atlas of tissue and serum concentrations of sex hormones in male mice, revealing novel insights in sex steroid distribution. Brain sex steroid levels are well reflected by serum levels and WAT constitutes a large reservoir of sex steroids in male mice. In addition, Prog is the most abundant sex hormone in ORX mice

Determinants of maternal and fetal exposure and temporal trends of perfluorinated compounds.

In recent years, some perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been identified as potentially hazardous substances which are harmful to the environment and human health. According to limited data, PFC levels in humans could be influenced by several determinants. However, the findings are inconsistent. In the present study, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were measured in paired maternal and cord serum samples (N = 237) collected between 1978 and 2001 in Southern Sweden to study the relationship between these and to investigate several potential determinants of maternal and fetal exposure to PFCs. Time trends of PFCs in Swedish women were also evaluated. The study is a part of the Fetal Environment and Neurodevelopment Disorders in Epidemiological Research project. PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA levels (median) were higher in maternal serum (15, 2.1, and 0.24 ng/ml, respectively) than in cord serum (6.5, 1.7, and 0.20 ng/ml, respectively). PFC levels were among the highest in women originating from the Nordic countries and the lowest in women from the Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. Multiparous women had lower serum PFOA levels (1.7 ng/ml) than primiparous women (2.4 ng/ml). Maternal age, body mass index, cotinine levels, and whether women carried male or female fetuses did not affect serum PFC concentrations. Umbilical cord serum PFC concentrations showed roughly similar patterns as the maternal except for the gestational age where PFC levels increased with advancing gestational age. PFOS levels increased during the study period in native Swedish women. In summary, PFOS levels tend to increase while PFOA and PFNA levels were unchanged between 1978 and 2001 in our study population. Our results demonstrate that maternal country of origin, parity, and gestational age might be associated with PFC exposure

Discovery and characterisation of dietary patterns in two Nordic countries. Using non-supervised and supervised multivariate statistical techniques to analyse dietary survey data

This Nordic study encompasses multivariate data analysis (MDA) of preschool Danish as well as pre- and elementary school Swedish consumers. Contrary to other counterparts the study incorporates two separate MDA varieties - Pattern discovery (PD) and predictive modelling (PM). PD, i.e. hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and factor analysis (using PCA), helped identifying distinct consumer aggregations and relationships across food groups, respectively, whereas PM enabled the disclosure of deeply entrenched associations. 17 clusters - here defined as dietary prototypes - were identified by means of HCA in the entire bi-national data set. These prototypes underwent further processing, which disclosed several intriguing consumption data relationships: Striking disparity between consumption patterns of Danish and Swedish preschool children was unveiled and further dissected by PM. Two prudent and mutually similar dietary prototypes appeared among each of two Swedish elementary school children data subsets. Dietary prototypes rich in sweetened soft beverages appeared among Danish and Swedish children alike. The results suggest prototype-specific risk assessment and study design

On diffuse interface modeling and simulation of surfactants in two-phase fluid flow

An existing phase-field model of two immiscible fluids with a single soluble surfactant present is discussed in detail. We analyze the well-posedness of the model and provide strong evidence that it is mathematically ill-posed for a large set of physically relevant parameters. As a consequence, critical modifications to the model are suggested that substantially increase the domain of validity. Carefully designed numerical simulations offer informative demonstrations as to the sharpness of our theoretical results and the qualities of the physical model. A fully coupled hydrodynamic test-case demonstrates the potential to capture also non-trivial effects on the overall flow

Organic pollutants, nano- and microparticles in street sweeping road dust and washwater

Road areas are pollution hotspots where many metals, organic pollutants (OPs) and nano/microparticles accumulate before being transported to receiving waters. Particles on roads originate from e.g. road, tyre and vehicle wear, winter road maintenance, soil erosion, and deposition. Street sweeping has the potential to be an effective and affordable practice to reduce the occurrence of road dust, and thereby the subsequent spreading of pollutants, but there is currently little knowledge regarding its effectiveness. In this paper we investigate the potential of street sweeping to reduce the amounts of OPs and nano/microparticles reaching stormwater, in a case study sampling road dust and washwater from a street sweeping machine, road dust before and after sweeping, and stormwater. The compound groups generally found in the highest concentrations in all matrices were aliphatics C5–C35\ua0>\ua0phthalates\ua0>\ua0aromatics C8–C35\ua0>\ua0PAH-16. The concentrations of aliphatics C16–C35\ua0and PAHs in washwater were extremely high at\ua0≤\ua053,000\ua0\ub5g/L and\ua0≤\ua0120\ua0\ub5g/L, respectively, and the highest concentrations were found after a 3-month winter break in sweeping. In general, fewer aliphatic and aromatic petroleum hydrocarbons and PAHs were detected in road dust samples than in washwater. The relative composition of the specific PAH-16 suggests tyre wear, vehicle exhausts, brake linings, motor oils and road surface wear as possible sources. The study indicates that many of the hydrophobic compounds quantified in washwater are attached to small particles or truly dissolved. The washwater contains a wide range of small particles, including nanoparticles in sizes from just below 1\ua0nm up to 300\ua0nm, with nanoparticles in the size range 25–300\ua0nm present in the highest concentrations. The results also indicated agglomeration of nanoparticles in the washwater. The street sweeping collected a large amount of fine particles and associated pollutants, leading to the conclusion that washwater from street sweeping needs to be treated before disposal

О сложности моделирования графиков электрических нагрузок потребителей с кусочно-непрерывными расходными характеристиками

While the social determinants of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are fairly well-known, the determinants of socioeconomic inequalities in CVD are scarcely studied and almost completely based on cross-sectional designs in which the changing circumstances across the life course are not taken into account. The present study seeks to incorporate a life course approach to the social determinants of socioeconomic inequalities in CVD. The specific aims were to 1) examine how income-related inequalities in CVD change over two decades of the mid-late life course, and 2) identify the key social determinants of the inequalities at each time period. The cohort (N = 44,039) comprised all individuals aged 40-60 years in 1990 who during 1990-2010 were enrolled in the county-wide preventive effort :"Västerbotten Intervention Program" (VIP). The cohort was followed over these two decades by Swedish population register data linked within the Umeå SIMSAM Lab micro data infrastructure. First-time hospitalization for CVD and mean earned income were used to calculate the concentration index (C) during four periods of 5-6 years. The C for each period was decomposed by sociodemographic factors, using Wagstaff-type decomposition analysis. Results suggest that inequalities in CVD increase gradually from mid-life to old age; from initially non-significant to particularly marked among the elderly. The decomposition showed that, from middle to old age, educational and employment inequalities underwent a transition from initially dominant to a moderate role in explaining the health inequalities, coupled with an increasing importance of age and a stable role of income. In conclusion, the study illustrates the need for incorporating a dynamic life course perspective into research, policy and practice concerned with equity in health.Errata Social Science &amp; Medicine (2016) 160 p. 128 DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.05.031</p