Measuring gas emissions from livestock buildings: A review on uncertainty analysis and error sources

Measuring gaseous and particulate emissions from livestock houses has been the subject of intensive research over the past two decades. Currently, there is general agreement regarding appropriate methods to measure emissions from mechanically ventilated buildings. However, measuring emissions from naturally ventilated buildings remains an elusive target primarily because there is no reference method for measuring building ventilation rate. Ventilation rates and thus building emissions estimates for naturally ventilated buildings are likely to contain greater errors compared with those from mechanically ventilated buildings. This work reviews the origin and magnitude of errors associated with emissions from naturally ventilated buildings as compared to those typically found in mechanical ventilation. Firstly, some general concepts of error analysis are detailed. Then, typical errors found in the literature for each measurement technique are reviewed, and potential sources of relevant systematic and random errors are identified. The emission standard uncertainty in mechanical ventilation is at best 10% or more of the measured value, whereas in natural ventilation it may be considerably higher and there may also be significant unquantifiable biases. A reference method is necessary to obtain accurate emissions estimates, and for naturally ventilated structures this suggests the need for a new means of ventilation measurement. The results obtained from the analysis of information in this review will be helpful to establish research priorities, and to optimize research efforts in terms of quality of emission measurements. (C) 2012 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Calvet Sanz, S.; Gates, RS.; Zhang, G.; Estellés, F.; Ogink, NWM.; Pedersen, S.; Berckmans, D. (2013). Measuring gas emissions from livestock buildings: A review on uncertainty analysis and error sources. Biosystems Engineering. 116:221-231. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2012.11.004S22123111

Soil penetration resistance analysis by multivariate and geostatistical methods

The penetration resistance (PR) is a soil attribute that allows identifies areas with restrictions due to compaction, which results in mechanical impedance for root growth and reduced crop yield. The aim of this study was to characterize the PR of an agricultural soil by geostatistical and multivariate analysis. Sampling was done randomly in 90 points up to 0.60 m depth. It was determined spatial distribution models of PR, and defined areas with mechanical impedance for roots growth. The PR showed a random distribution to 0.55 and 0.60 m depth. PR in other depths analyzed showed spatial dependence, with adjustments to exponential and spherical models. The cluster analysis that considered sampling points allowed establishing areas with compaction problem identified in the maps by kriging interpolation. The analysis with main components identified three soil layers, where the middle layer showed the highest values of PR.La resistencia a la penetración (RP) es un atributo del suelo que permite identificar zonas con restricciones debido a la compactación, que se traduce en impedancia mecánica para el desarrollo de las raíces y en una menor productividad de los cultivos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar la RP de un suelo agrícola, mediante análisis geoestadístico y multivariado. El muestreo se realizó de manera aleatoria en 90 puntos, hasta una profundidad de 0,60 m. Se determinaron los modelos de distribución espacial de la RP y se delimitaron áreas con problemas de impedancia mecánica de las raíces. La RP presentó distribución aleatoria a 0,55 y 0,60 m de profundidad. La RP en las otras profundidades analizadas mostraron dependencia espacial, con ajustes a modelos exponenciales y esféricos. El análisis jerárquico que consideró puntos de muestreo, permitió establecer zonas con problemas de compactación, identificadas en los mapas obtenidos mediante interpolación por kriging. El análisis de componentes principales permitió identificar tres capas de suelo, donde la capa intermedia fue la que presentó los mayores valores de RP

Famílies botàniques de plantes medicinals

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia, Assignatura: Botànica Farmacèutica, Curs: 2013-2014, Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són els recull de 175 treballs d’una família botànica d’interès medicinal realitzats de manera individual. Els treballs han estat realitzat per la totalitat dels estudiants dels grups M-2 i M-3 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos d’abril i maig del curs 2013-14. Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pel professor de l’assignatura i revisats i finalment co-avaluats entre els propis estudiants. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica

Déterminisme de la distribution spatiale des éléments majeurs et traces dans les sols en contexte métamorphique; (Plateau d'Aigurande, nord du Massif Central, France)

* INRA Unité Science du Sol Centre d'Orléans (FRA) Diffusion du document : INRA Unité Science du Sol Centre d'Orléans (FRA) Diplôme : Dr. d'Universit

Symposium no. 28 Paper no. 419 Presentation: poster 419-1

The concretion rich horizon of Planosols developed in metamorphic parent material (gneiss and amphibolite) at La Chtre (Massif Central, France) was studied. These soils are naturally rich in TE due to the regional geology (e.g. 122 mg kg Cr). In order to study the spatial variability of the concretion rich horizon, three pits were dug along a toposequence. The different horizons were sampled and analysed for major and trace element contents. The concretion rich horizon was studied more accurately. Concretions were separated from the fine particles by sieving and manual sorting. Different particlesize fractions were thus separated and analysed in major and trace elements. Smooth extraction were performed, on each separated fraction, by hydroxylamine, HCl + HCl at 50C and hydroxylamine, HCl + acetic acid at 90C in order to dissolve the different oxide phases. Extracts were analysed in major and trace elements. Nature of iron oxides composing the concretions and control of oxide dissolution efficiency were performed by X-ray diffraction. At last, some concretions were observed by optical and electron microscopy coupled with chemical analyses

Role of NFκB and HIF-1α in Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm Progression

<p>Background: Several gene abnormalities have been described in follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC), but no study evaluates topographically vascular (hypoxia inducible factor-1α, HIF-1α) and inflammatory signaling pathways (nuclear factor κB, NFκB) by tumor phenotype.</p> <p>Design: We selected 9 hyperplastic nodules, 22 adenomas, 14 minimally-invasive FTC, 24 widely-invasive FTC, and 13 anaplastic carcinomas (WHO criteria). Total RNA was extracted from normal and neoplastic tissues by hot acidic phenol, DNase I-treated, phenol extracted and cleaned (RNeasy columns). T7-(dT24) oligomer was used for priming the first-strand cDNA synthesis and the resultant cDNA was phenol/ chloroform extracted, and used as template for cRNA synthesis (T7 MegaScript In Vitro Transcription Kit). The cRNA was fragmented, Cy3- and Cy5-labeled, and hybridized to the human GeneChip X3P Array noncompetitively. Cross-validated gene expression analyses (CGEA) were performed (expression factor>2, significance<0.01), and variables studied regarding the histological diagnosis. Significant variables were evaluated immunohistochemically using standard protocols for the pathway last effector.</p> <p>Results: Tumor infiltrating lymphoxytes were absent in 68/73 (93%) neoplasms, regardless of histologic subtype. CGEA showed down-regulation of ubiquitin C and sequestosome 1 in FTC, which directly correlated with CDC34, SKP1/2 (HIF-1α degradation pathway), and inversely with IκBα (inhibition of NFκB pathway). Across all neoplasms the positive cell percentage was higher in the internal compartments. NFκB-p50 and p65 (p<001) as well as HIF-1α (p=0.049) immunoexpressions increase with increasing neoplastic grade accordingly, in particular in internal compartments. The expression of NFκB was low across all the lesions, the greatest degree of immunoexpression seen in internal compartments of anaplastic carcinomas (4%). The hyperplastic nodules showed an exceptional level of expression of HIF-1α in the internal compartment (over 16%, ∼25x the highest percentage observed in any other lesion)</p> <p>Conclusions: Ubiquitylation down-regulation of follicular tumor cells results in peripheral down-regulated NFκB pathways (p65 and p50) and HIF-1α, but increase expression in internal compartments with more aggressive tumor behavior suggesting an involvement in follicular thyroid tumor progression.</p

Cytoarchitectural and kinetic features in the histological evaluation of follicular thyroid neoplasms

<p>The diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinomas is mainly based on capsular and vascular invasion. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic relevance of nuclear features, inflammation and stromal changes.<br>Anisokaryosis, chromatin pattern, nucleolus, nuclear pleomorphism, nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, necrosis, stromal changes and tumour interstitial lymphocytes (TIL) were analysed in adenomatous hyperplastic nodules (39), adenomas (43) and carcinomas (28 minimally invasive, 48 widely invasive and 27 anaplastic). Ki67 immunostaining, in situ end labelling (ISEL) for apoptosis and the Ki67/ISEL index were analysed by topographical compartments. Variables were compared by histological diagnosis using Fisher's exact test, analysis of variance and Student's t-tests and considered significant if P < 0.05. TIL were absent in 96% of neoplasms and 54% of adenomatous hyperplastic nodules. Conspicuous nucleoli, increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and coexistent apoptosis-myxoid changes distinguished minimally invasive carcinomas from adenomas. The most specific variables of high-grade carcinoma were vasculonecrotic patterns, nuclear hyperchromatism and pleomorphism. A kinetic advantage predominated in the internal compartments of benign lesions and in the peripheral compartments of malignant lesions.<br>Follicular carcinomas show up-regulation of proliferation markers and the distinctive topographical kinetic profiles provide a basis for the distinction between benign and malignant and an explanation for the circumscription and encapsulation of benign lesions.</p

Molecular and kinetic features of transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder: biological and clinical implications

<p>Molecular and kinetic analyses have contributed to our understanding of the biology of transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of the bladder. The concordant pattern of X-chromosome inactivation of multiple TCCs appearing at different times and at different sites and concordant genetic abnormalities in a subset of muscle-invasive TCC strongly support a monoclonal origin and a homogeneous tumor cell selection throughout the neoplasm. However, topographic intratumor heterogeneity results from the accumulation of genetic lesions in tumor suppressor genes, predominantly neurofibromatosis (NF)-1-defective in the superficial compartment and tumor protein p53 (TP53)-defective in the deep one, with lower proliferation and down-regulation of apoptosis in the latter. TCCs follow the general concept of multistep carcinogenesis and proceed through two distinct genetic pathways responsible for generating different TCC morphologies. These are the inactivation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (p15, p16, and p21WAF/CIP1) in low-grade TCC and early TP53-mediated abnormalities in high-grade TCC. TCC progression correlates with genetic instability and accumulation of collaborative genetic lesions mainly involving TP53, retinoblastoma (RB)-1, and growth factors. Distinctive genetic (low incidence of RB-1 and NF-1 abnormalities) and kinetic (slower cell turnover) profiles also correlate with a "single-file" infiltration pattern and poor survival in muscle-invasive TCCs. The underlying molecular changes of carcinoma in situ involve multiple and more extensive deletions (normally TP53-defective) than coexistent invasive TCC, suggesting an independent genetic evolution, while low-grade dysplasia is mainly polyclonal and shows a low rate of gene deletions.</p