High insecticidal activity of Leclercia adecarboxylata isolated from Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Col.: Chrysomelidae)

Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is an important pest on solanaceous crops worldwide. CPB has developed resistance to insecticides used for its control. In this study, in order to find a more effective and safer biological control agent against L. decemlineata, we studied the bacterial flora of CPB, and tested them for insecticidal effects on it. The highest insecticidal effect determined on L. decemlineata within 5 days was 100% and this effect was exhibited by Ld1 isolate. According to the morphological, physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA sequencehomologies, Ld1 was identified as Leclercia adecarboxylata. This is the first time that this bacterium has been isolated from any insect pests. Our results indicate that Lecl. adecarboxylata may be valuable as a biological control agent for L. decemlineata

Comparaison de la biotolérance de l’huile extraite de l’arille de Blighia sapida (K. Koenig), des huiles de palme et d’olive chez le rat

Afin de valoriser l’huile extraite de l’arille de Blighia sapida, les effets  toxiques de cette huile ont été comparés aux effets toxiques possibles de deux huiles très consommées à travers le monde (huile d’olive et huile de palme). Cette étude s’est faite expérimentalement sur 54 rats mâles adultes de genre Albinos Wistar. Ces derniers ont été divisés en 9 groupes homogènes (6 par groupe) et ont reçu par gavage (2 fois par semaine pendant 4 semaines) les trois types d’huiles à trois volumes croissants 0,5mL ; 1mL ; 2mL. Tous les animaux ont survécu pendant la durée de l’expérimentation et les différents groupes ne présentaient apparemment pas de différence de signes cliniques. La comparaison des moyennes des paramètres hématologiques entre d’une part, les rats ayant reçu l’huilede palme et ceux ayant reçu l’huile extraite de l’arille de Blighia sapida et, d’autre part, entre les rats ayant reçu l’huile d’olive et ceux ayant reçu l’huile extraite de l’arille de Blighia sapida ne montrait pas de différence significative (p>0,05). Il en est de même pour la comparaison des moyennes des taux de triglycérides, de cholestérol Total, de  cholestérol-HDL et de bilirubines totale et conjuguée. Le taux de cholestérol et le ratio cholestérol montraient tous deux une élévation  significative (p<0,05) liée à l’administration d’huile de palme que l’administration d’huile extraite de l’arille de Blighia sapida, à partir de 1mL comme volume administré. Par contre, quel que soit le volume administré, le taux de cholesterol-LDL et le ratio cholestérol chez les rats ayant reçu l’huile extraite de l’arille de BHS était quasi-similaire à ceux des rats ayant reçu de l’huile d’olive (p>0,05). Comme ces huiles (huile d’olive et huile de palme) sont de consommation courante, alors, ces résultats ouvrent des perspectives intéressantes relatives à l’utilisation de l’huile extraite de l’arille de Blighia sapida en alimentation.Mots-clés : arille, huiles, effets toxiques, rats, gavage

A feedback-feed-forward steering control strategy for improving lateral dynamics stability of an A-double vehicle at high speeds

A control strategy based on H∞-type static output feedback combined with dynamic feed-forward is proposed to improve the high-speed lateral performance of an A-double combination vehicle (tractor–semitrailer–dolly–semitrailer) using active steering of the front axle of the dolly. Both feedback and feed-forward syntheses are performed via Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) optimisation. From a practical point of view, the proposed controller is simple and easy to implement, despite its theoretical complexity. In fact, the measurement of the driver steering angle and only one articulation angle are required for the feed-forward and the feedback controllers, respectively. The results are verified using a high-fidelity vehicle model and confirm a significant reduction in yaw rate and lateral acceleration rearward amplification and also high-speed transient off-tracking, and subsequently improving the lateral stability and performance of the A-double combination vehicle during sudden lane change manoeuvres

The role of dextran and maltosyl-isomalto-oligosaccharides on the structure of bread enriched with surplus bread

Occurrence of surplus bread (SB) is common in the baking industry. Edible surplus bread can be utilized as a new bread dough ingredient; however, it creates technological challenges that affect the quality of the new bread. In this study, the interactions of SB with dough macromolecules were studied in a gluten-starch model dough system and subsequent model bread. Moreover, dextran or maltosyl-isomalto-oligosaccharides (MIMO) were produced by dextransucrase preparation, incorporated into the dough containing SB, and their individual in-fluence on dough rheology and bread structure was investigated. Compared to control model dough/bread, the addition of SB at 10% level significantly decreased extensibility of the dough, dough level, and specific volume (SV) of bread, despite standardized gluten content and optimized water absorption (WA). This confirms that SB constituents (especially gelatinized starch) deteriorate the dough structure-forming by interactions with gluten network. Dextran addition at appropriate level (0.7%) with optimized WA, shielded the gluten network from the interactions of SB, thus, increasing dough extensibility and softness. Furthermore, dextran-enrichment signifi-cantly reduced the hardness and staling of breads and increased the SV to the control model bread level. MIMOs, especially at low concentration, induced stronger interactions with gluten proteins than dextran. However, the addition of MIMOs reduced the SV of breads containing SB and did not reduce the overall crumb hardness despite partially preventing starch retrogradation in the early phase of storage. The protective interactions of dextran with dough macromolecules showed that in vitro dextran could be utilized to enable recycling of edible SB.Peer reviewe

Policy interpretations and manifestation of biocultural diversity in urbanized Europe : conservation of lived biodiversity

Biocultural diversity, which refers to the inextricable link between biodiversity and cultural diversity, has been predominantly associated with the traditional ways in which indigenous people in tropical countries interact with the natural environment. But it does not have to be restricted to these circumstances. Biocultural diversity may also be regarded as an interesting concept for understanding how people in industrialized and globalized societies deal with nature. This paper explores biocultural diversity in 20 European cities by considering (i) how biocultural diversity is interpreted in urban planning and governance, and (ii) what actual manifestations of biocultural diversity are present in these cities. Despite the fact that the concept of biocultural diversity was hardly recognized by city authorities, interviewees gave many examples of how biodiversity and cultural diversity are taken into account in (in) formal city policies. The research revealed two main manifestations of biocultural diversity within urban Europe: biocultural diversity grounded in ecological features, and cultural values as a basic foundation for biocultural diversity. Consequently, urban biocultural diversity was found to have two spatial levels: the city level and the site level. The former is the domain of governmental policy makers who discuss biocultural diversity in 'green space networks' in a rather static way. The latter is the domain where citizens participate in decisionmaking and the management of green spaces; it is here that cultural dynamics are most acknowledged.Peer reviewe

Increased interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels after instrumented lumbar spine fusion in older patients

Purpose: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and the acute phase C-reactive protein (CRP) blood concentrations after lumbar spine fusion may be affected by age. The purpose of this prospective observational study was to assess postoperative serum levels of pro-inflammatory IL-6 and CRP after instrumented lumbar spine fusion surgery. We hypothesized that older patients would have increased levels of IL-6 and CRP after surgery. Methods: IL-6 and high-sensitive CRP biochemical marker levels were measured before instrumented spinal fusion, and postoperatively at 1 and 3 days, 6 weeks, and 3 months. The 49 patients in this sample were divided into two groups: age 60 years (n = 26). Results: Acute changes in IL-6 high-sensitivity and CRP from preoperative levels to postoperative day (POD) 1 increased with age. Mean (95% CI) difference between the age-groups in changes of IL-6 at PODs 1 and 3 was 45 pg/ml (10-83, p = 0.014) and 20 pg/ml (5-36, p = 0.021), respectively. Mean (95% CI) difference between groups in changes of CRP at PODs 1 and 3 was 9.6 mg/l (-3.5 to 22.7, p = 0.47) and 24.8 mg/l (-17 to 67, p = 0.33), respectively. Both groups had decreased IL-6 and CRP levels at 6 weeks after surgery compared to the preoperative level. Conclusions: Elevation of IL-6 and CRP is stronger in patients over 60 years old after instrumented lumbar spinal fusion. The CRP and IL-6 are sensitive markers for acute postoperative inflammation. Even high acute CRP values do not necessarily indicate postoperative infection.Peer reviewe

Anticancer activity of the protein kinase C modulator HMI-1a3 in 2D and 3D cell culture models of androgen-responsive and androgen-unresponsive prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Although it has a relatively high 5-year survival rate, development of resistance to standard androgen-deprivation therapy is a significant clinical problem. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. The protein kinase C (PKC) family is a putative prostate cancer drug target, but so far no PKC-targeting drugs are available for clinical use. By contrast to the standard approach of developing PKC inhibitors, we have developed isophthalate derivatives as PKC agonists. In this study, we have characterized the effects of the most potent isophthalate, 5-(hydroxymethyl) isophthalate 1a3 (HMI-1a3), on three prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, DU145, and PC3) using both 2D and 3D cell culture models. In 2D cell culture, HMI-1a3 reduced cell viability or proliferation in all cell lines as determined by the metabolic activity of the cells (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay) and thymidine incorporation. However, the mechanism of action in LNCaP cells was different to that in DU145 or PC3 cells. In LNCaP cells, HMI-1a3 induced a PKC-dependent activation of caspase 3/7, indicating an apoptotic response, whereas in DU145 and PC3 cells, it induced senescence, which was independent of PKC. This was observed as typical senescent morphology, increased beta-galactosidase activity, and upregulation of the senescence marker p21 and downregulation of E2F transcription factor 1. Using a multicellular spheroid model, we further showed that HMI-1a3 affects the growth of LNCaP and DU145 cells in a 3D culture, emphasizing its potential as a lead compound for cancer drug development.Peer reviewe

From multiple perspectives to shared understanding

The aim of this study was to explore how learners operating in a small group reach shared understanding as they work out joint research questions and build a theoretical framework and to identify the resources and tools they used in the process. The learners’ own interpretations of their group activities and learning were also taken into account. The data, consisting of group discussions and the documents produced by the group, were subjected to a qualitative content analysis. The group members employed a variety of resources and tools to exchange their individual perspectives and achieve shared understanding. Summaries of relevant literature laid a foundation for the group’s theoretical discussions. Reflective comparisons between their book knowledge and their personal experiences of online interaction and collaboration were frequent, suggesting that such juxtapositions may have enhanced their learning by intertwining the content to be mastered and the activities entailed by this particular content

Seismicity and Sources of Stress in Fennoscandia

This chapter investigates the Fennoscandian uplift area since the latest Ice Age and addresses the question if glacial isostatic adjustment may influence current seismicity. The region is in an intraplate area, with stresses caused by the lithospheric relative plate motions. Discussions on whether uplift and plate tectonics are the only causes of stress have been going on for many years in the scientific community. This review considers the improved sensitivity of the seismograph networks, and at the same time attempts to omit man-made explosions and mining events in the pattern, to present the best possible earthquake pattern. Stress orientations and their connection to the uplift pattern and known tectonics are evaluated. Besides plate motion and uplift, one finds that some regions are affected stress-wise by differences in geographical sediment loading as well as by topography variations. The stress release in the present-day earthquakes shows a pattern that deviates from that of the time right after the Ice Age. This chapter treats the stress pattern generalized for Fennoscandia and guides the interested reader to more details in the national chapters.Peer reviewe

TRIAD zoning in Quebec: Experiences and results after 5 years

The TRIAD approach to forest management involves dividing the forest into 3 zones, each with its own management\ud objectives, but with the overall goal of increasing the ecological and economic sustainability of the forest. For the past 5 years, we have been experimenting with TRIAD zoning in central Quebec, incorporating social interests into the original concept of TRIAD management. Results generally indicate that this approach is economically viable, socially acceptable, and preferable ecologically in this area. Although much remains to be done, thus far the consensus among the\ud various project participants is that this approach may be a good fit for the public forest of Canada