Overview CGMS and related tools

The main purpose of Crop Growth Monitoring System CGMS is to estimate the influence of weather conditions on crop growth and yield on regional scale (provinces, countries, continents). Therefore, CGMS combines aspects of both weather data processing and collection as well as modelling crop growth and development

Bewaring van lelieplantgoed : energiebesparing door vermindering van de circulatie

De veruit belangrijkste energiepost bij de teelt van lelies is het elektraverbruik voor koeling en circulatie tijdens de bewaring van november t/m april. Lelieplantgoed wordt bewaard in palletkisten bij een temperatuur van 2-4 oC in de eerste weken na het rooien tot gemiddeld -0.5 oC in de laatste maanden. Enige ventilatie is nodig voor het afvoeren van CO2 , water en warmte die in de ademhaling geproduceerd worden. Tot enkele jaren geleden werd geadviseerd om één keer per dag de celdeur korte tijd open te zetten om op deze manier te ventileren. Tegenwoordig is in veel leliecellen een PVC-pijpje in de buurt van de verdamper aangebracht om wat verse lucht aan te zuigen. De ventilatiebehoefte van lelies is dus kennelijk erg laag vergeleken met die van tulpenbollen, maar niet exact bekend. Doel van de circulatie is het creëren van een over alle kisten gelijkmatig en gunstig bewaarklimaat tussen de bollen in termen van temperatuur, RV, en CO 2 -gehalte. Voor de circulatie worden in de praktijk normen gehanteerd variërend van 50 tot 300 m3 lucht/uur per m3 leliebollen. Groot nadeel van de circulatie is dat de warmteproductie van de systeemventilatoren ook teruggekoeld moet worden. Doel van dit onderzoek is om voor circulatie en ventilatie tot normen te komen waarmee maximaal op energie wordt bespaard zonder dat dit ten koste gaat van de kwaliteit van het lelieplantgoed. Voor de verminderde circulatie is hierbij ook een vergelijking gemaakt tussen de aan/uit regeling en de frequentieregeling

Influence of sensitization and allergen provocation procedures on the development of allergen-induced bronchial hyperreactivity in conscious, unrestrained guinea-pigs

The effects of different sensitization and allergen provocation regimens on the development of allergen-induced bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) to histamine were investigated in conscious, unrestrained guinea-pigs. Similar early and late phase asthmatic reactions, BHR for inhaled histamine after the early (6 h) as well as after the late reaction (24 h), and airway inflammation were observed after a single allergen provocation in animals sensitized to produce mainly IgG or IgE antibodies, respectively. Repeating the allergen provocation in the IgE-sensitized animals after 7 days, using identical provocation conditions, resulted in a similar development of BHR to histamine inhalation. Repetition of the allergen provocation during 4 subsequent days resulted in a decreased development of BHR after each provocation, despite a significant increase in the allergen provocation dose necessary to obtain similar airway obstruction. The number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage was not significantly changed after repeated provocation, when compared with a single allergen provocation. Finally, we investigated allergen-induced bronchial hyperreactivity by repetition of the sensitization procedure at day 7 and 14 (booster), followed by repeated allergen provocation twice a week for 5 weeks. Surprisingly, no BHR to histamine could be observed after either provocation, while the number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after 5 weeks was enhanced compared with controls. These data indicate that both IgE and IgG sensitized guinea-pigs may develop bronchial hyperreactivity after a single allergen provocation. Repeated allergen exposure of IgE sensitized animals causes a gradual fading of the induced hyperreactivity despite the on-going presence of inflammatory cells in the airways, indicating a mechanism of reduced cellular activation

Phosphorylation of the actin binding protein Drebrin at S647 and is regulated by neuronal activity and PTEN

Defects in actin dynamics affect activity-dependent modulation of synaptic transmission and neuronal plasticity, and can cause cognitive impairment. A salient candidate actin-binding protein linking synaptic dysfunction to cognitive deficits is Drebrin (DBN). However, the specific mode of how DBN is regulated at the central synapse is largely unknown. In this study we identify and characterize the interaction of the PTEN tumor suppressor with DBN. Our results demonstrate that PTEN binds DBN and that this interaction results in the dephosphorylation of a site present in the DBN C-terminus - serine 647. PTEN and pS647-DBN segregate into distinct and complimentary compartments in neurons, supporting the idea that PTEN negatively regulates DBN phosphorylation at this site. We further demonstrate that neuronal activity increases phosphorylation of DBN at S647 in hippocampal neurons in vitro and in ex vivo hippocampus slices exhibiting seizure activity, potentially by inducing rapid dissociation of the PTEN:DBN complex. Our results identify a novel mechanism by which PTEN is required to maintain DBN phosphorylation at dynamic range and signifies an unusual regulation of an actin-binding protein linked to cognitive decline and degenerative conditions at the CNS synapse

Classification methods of pulmonary contusion based on chest CT and the association with in-hospital outcomes:a systematic review of literature

Introduction:Patients sustaining pulmonary contusion (PC) have a higher risk of complications and long-term respiratory difficulty. Computed tomography (CT) scans have a high sensitivity for PC. However, since PC develops over time, CT scans made directly post-trauma may underestimate the full extent of PC. This creates a need to better define in which PC-patients complications are more likely. The aim of this systematic review was to identify different classification systems of PC, and investigate the association between amount of PC and in-hospital outcomes. Methods:A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting a classification system for PC after blunt thoracic trauma based on a CT scan were included. Outcomes were classification method of PC and the relation between classification and pulmonary complications and in-hospital outcomes. Results:Twenty studies were included. Total number of patients ranged from 49 to 148,140 patients. The most common classification system used was calculating the percentage of contused lung volume. Other classification methods were based on Blunt Pulmonary Contusion score-6 and -18, Abbreviated Injury Score and Thoracic Trauma Severity scores. Worse outcomes were generally associated with between > 18 to > 24% contusion volume. Discussion:The heterogeneity of currently available literature makes comparing classification methods challenging. The most common classification of PC was based on volumetric analysis. Calculating a percentage of PC as part of the total volume allows for the highest level of segmentation of lung parenchyma as compared to using BPC-6, BPC-18, or AIS. Contusion volume exceeding 18-24% was generally associated with worse outcomes

Comparison of Longitudinal Membrane Function in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients According to Dialysis Fluid Biocompatibility

Introduction: Preservation of peritoneal function is essential in long-term peritoneal dialysis. Biocompatible dialysis solutions might prevent or postpone the membrane alteration resulting in ultrafiltration failure and consecutive morbidity and mortality. Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study in which we made a longitudinal comparison between the course of peritoneal solute and fluid transport during treatment with conventional and biocompatible solutions. Therefore, prospectively collected peritoneal transport data from the yearly standard peritoneal permeability analysis were analyzed in 251 incident patients treated between 1994 and censoring in 2016. Fluid transport included small pore and free water transport. Solute transport was assessed by creatinine mass transfer area coefficient and glucose absorption. Linear mixed models including change point analyses were performed. Interaction with peritonitis was examined. Results: One hundred thirty-five patients received conventional and 116 biocompatible solutions. Sixtyseven percent (conventional) and 64% (biocompatible) of these underwent minimally three transport measurements. Initially, biocompatible fluids showed higher small solute transport and lower ultrafiltration than conventional fluids up to 3 years. Thereafter, conventional fluids showed an increase in small solute transport (+2.7 ml/min per year; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9 to 4.5) and a decrease of free water transport (-28.0 ml/min per year; 95% CI: -60.4 to 4.4). These were minor or absent in biocompatible treatment. Peritonitis induced a decrease of transcapillary ultrafiltration after 2 years on dialysis with conventional solutions (-291 ml/min per year; 95% CI: -550 to -32) while this was absent in biocompatible treatment. Conclusion: Despite a higher initial solute transport with biocompatible solutions, these have less influence on functional long-term peritoneal alterations than conventional solutions. (C) 2020 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc

Continental drift: connecting Great Britain and Scandinavia

Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies. Faculty of Economics and Business. The University of Sydne

Performance of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores in People Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes:External Validation Using Data From the National Scottish Diabetes Register

Objective: To evaluate the performance of five cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk scores developed in diabetes populations and compare their performance to QRISK2. Research Design and Methods: A cohort of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2004 and 2016 was identified from the Scottish national diabetes register. CVD events were identified using linked hospital and death records. Five-year risk of CVD was estimated using each of QRISK2, ADVANCE (Action in Diabetes and Vascular disease: preterAx and diamicroN-MR Controlled Evaluation), Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), New Zealand Diabetes Cohort Study (NZ DCS), Fremantle Diabetes Study, and Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR) risk scores. Discrimination and calibration were assessed using the Harrell C statistic and calibration plots, respectively. Results: The external validation cohort consisted of 181,399 people with type 2 diabetes and no history of CVD. There were 14,081 incident CVD events within 5 years of follow-up. The 5-year observed risk of CVD was 9.7% (95% CI 9.6, 9.9). C statistics varied between 0.66 and 0.67 for all risk scores. QRISK2 overestimated risk, classifying 87% to be at high risk for developing CVD within 5 years; ADVANCE underestimated risk, and the Swedish NDR risk score calibrated well to observed risk. Conclusions: None of the risk scores performed well among people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Using these risk scores to predict 5-year CVD risk in this population may not be appropriate