Electroencephalographic changes in albino rats subjected to stress

Twenty one albino Wistar rats were subjected to stress for 7 hours. There was a significant difference in the slopes of regression lines for 7 nonulcerous rats and those for 14 ulcerous rats. Nonulcerous rats subjected to stress showed greater EEG curve synchronization than did ulcerous rats. If curve synchronization can be equated to a relaxed state, it may therefore be possible to explain the protective action of hypnotics, tranquilizers and analgesics on ulcers

Characterization and Inference of Graph Diffusion Processes from Observations of Stationary Signals

Many tools from the field of graph signal processing exploit knowledge of the underlying graph's structure (e.g., as encoded in the Laplacian matrix) to process signals on the graph. Therefore, in the case when no graph is available, graph signal processing tools cannot be used anymore. Researchers have proposed approaches to infer a graph topology from observations of signals on its nodes. Since the problem is ill-posed, these approaches make assumptions, such as smoothness of the signals on the graph, or sparsity priors. In this paper, we propose a characterization of the space of valid graphs, in the sense that they can explain stationary signals. To simplify the exposition in this paper, we focus here on the case where signals were i.i.d. at some point back in time and were observed after diffusion on a graph. We show that the set of graphs verifying this assumption has a strong connection with the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix, and forms a convex set. Along with a theoretical study in which these eigenvectors are assumed to be known, we consider the practical case when the observations are noisy, and experimentally observe how fast the set of valid graphs converges to the set obtained when the exact eigenvectors are known, as the number of observations grows. To illustrate how this characterization can be used for graph recovery, we present two methods for selecting a particular point in this set under chosen criteria, namely graph simplicity and sparsity. Additionally, we introduce a measure to evaluate how much a graph is adapted to signals under a stationarity assumption. Finally, we evaluate how state-of-the-art methods relate to this framework through experiments on a dataset of temperatures.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Signal and Information Processing over Network

Alien Registration- Mercier, Mary G. (Waterville, Kennebec County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/14728/thumbnail.jp

Modèles débit-durée-fréquence d'étiage, concept et usage pour une approche régionale des régimes de basses eaux des bassins hydrographiques de la Loire (France) et du Crisu-Alb (Roumanie)

La modélisation de synthèse en débit-durée-fréquence des régimes d'étiage observés s'inspire de travaux développés ces dernières années sur les modèles continus (multidurée et multifréquence) de prédétermination des crues (GALEA et PRUDHOMME, 1996). La variabilité des régimes d'étiage du bassin hydrographique de la Loire (S=117 000 km2) est étudiée à partir de deux variables hydrologiques, définies sur une durée (d) continue (1≤d≤90j), traduisant deux notions de régime complémentaires : la notion de débit-volume (moyen) minimal (VCNd) annuel et de débit-seuil minimal (QCNd) annuel non dépassé. L'étude statistique multidurée des événements annuels observés en 57 sites sélectionnés, selon la loi log-normale à deux paramètres (écart-type et moyenne), permet de répartir les différents bassins en 4 familles typologiquement homogènes. Pour chacune de ces familles est choisi un bassin versant de référence dont les courbes débit-durée-fréquence normées en débit et durée gagnent alors en représentativité régionale. L'utilisation de ces courbes adimensionnelles est rendue plus aisée, grâce à un formalisme mathématique. La norme de débit retenue est le débit journalier minimal annuel de période moyenne de retour 2 ans. La norme de durée quant à elle est déduite des courbes de tarissement observées et décrites selon l'équation de MAILLET. Ces deux normes (ou encore descripteurs de régime) constituent les seuls paramètres d'entrée des 4 modèles adimensionnels QdF d'étiage. Ces modèles et leur typologie associée, appliqués au bassin hydrographique de la Loire, ont permis de montrer la cohérence des quantiles observés et modélisés en chacun des 57 sites retenus. Une première validation de la méthodologie QdF d'étiage, établie sur le bassin de la Loire, a concerné 12 bassins versants du Crisu-Alb (S=3000 km2) en Roumanie. Cela n'a pas nécessité de nouveaux modèles de référence autres que ceux élaborés pour la Loire. Autrement dit, pour chacun des sites étudiés, la valeur de l'écart-type de la loi ajustée sur les VCNd=1j a permis de choisir la famille hydrologique d'appartenance et donc le modèle QdF d'étiage qui lui est associé. La qualité des modélisations effectuées confirment par ailleurs que les deux descripteurs locaux de régime retenus sont de bons intégrateurs des processus d'écoulement liés aux étiages. D'une manière générale, la démarche a permis d'éprouver la fiabilité de la méthodologie QdF développée en étiage et ces premiers résultats sont encourageants pour l'avenir. Notamment, l'usage opérationnel des modèles QdF d'étiage sur des sites non observés nécessite de poursuivre l'effort de recherche vers une explicitation du critère de choix ainsi que des deux descripteurs locaux du régime de basses eaux.The French Department of the Environment entrusted to the CEMAGREF the realization of a study relating to an ecosystemic approach to the management of the Loire watershed. Over the long term, this approach is designed to establish orientations for the protection and management of the natural aquatic environments of the Loire. To this end, a good knowledge of the variability of the hydrological regimes is necessary. The method presented relates primarily to low flow discharges. In spite of the great heterogeneity in space and time of low flows, a regionalization study of watershed low flow regimes of Loire (S=117 000 km2) has been attempted on the basis of the same QdF (discharge-duration-frequency) concept developed for floods (GALEA and PRUDHOMME, 1996). To allow an objective evaluation of developed methodology, we present here the details of the conceptual approach used to model and synthesize the low flow regimes observed, and present the results obtained.The methodology relates primarily to relatively undisturbed basins with perennial flow. The variability of low flow regimes takes into account two hydrologic variables expressing two notions of complementary regimes: the notion of annual minimal average flow (VCNd), and the annual minimal threshold discharge (QCNd) below which the flow does not decrease for a continuous duration (d) which varies from one day to 90 days. The statistical study of annual events demonstrates that the Log-Normal law (two parameters) is generally adequate for a given duration d. From the low flow typology observed on 57 selected sites, the statistical study of annual events revealed four homogeneous groups of hydrological low flow regimes. In each of the 4 groups a reference basin is chosen. Its flow-duration-frequency curves normalized to discharge and duration show a regional representativity and the mathematical formalism yields easy-to-use dimensionless curves. The normative discharge VCN(2,1) is the minimum annual daily flow for a two year return period. The normative duration of flow (De) of a basin results from the recession curves described by MAILLET's equation. In each group, a large diversity of low flow regimes exists, as indicated by the two local descriptors (De and VCN(2,1)), which are the only input parameters for the low flow QdF models. Concerning the Loire watershed, these 4 models and their associated typology characterize the large diversity in space and time of low flows observed for the 57 studied cases.A first validation of the low flow QdF methodology concerned 12 basins of Crisu-Alb watershed, in Romania. It was not necessary to establish new reference models for the regionalization of low flows for these 12 studied cases in the Crisu-Alb watershed. The quality of the transposed models confirms, on another hand, that the two local descriptors of the low flow regime are good integrators of flow processes in relation with low flows. The initial results from the synthetic low flow models are promising. Use of these models on ungauged basins will require additional research to explain the model's choice criterion and the two local descriptors of the low flow regime

Agricultural, forest and rural policy sectors' receptiveness to agroforestry intercropping systems in Quebec (Canada)

PosterIn Quebec (Canada), intercropping trees and crops is a new practice in the agricultural landscape dominated by conventional monocropping systems. As research goes on and slowly reveals the potential of these systems to address some key issues in agriculture, forestry and rural development, and as farmers’ awareness increases, there is a pressing need to find public support for these systems. In order to help the promoters of agroforestry intercropping systems in their search of support in the political arena, we conducted a comparative study of the receptiveness of the agricultural, forest and rural policy sectors to these systems. As the literature on public policy processes has stressed the importance of policy stakeholders’ ideas in the implementation of new policies, we used a conceptual framework based on cognitive schemes to compare the ideas driving these policy sectors with the ideas supporting agroforestry intercropping systems. Results based on the analysis of formal publications and semi-directed interviews conducted with agroforestry experts and policy stakeholders underline that agroforestry intercropping systems are mostly featured by their promoters as sustainable and multifunctional systems. The rural policy sector has proven to be the most receptive and the forest sector the less receptive, while the agricultural sector lies in-between, offering small-scale support to agroforestry intercropping systems. The analysis highlights that policy sectors integrating multifunctionality in their core ideas are supportive of agroforestry intercropping systems, while sectors remaining largely focused on specialization and productivity are less receptive. Our study also shows that public incentives might not be sufficient to drive the adoption of agroforestry intercropping systems since major barriers to their implementation remain in some policy sectors. Featuring these systems as productive might be a necessary argument shift to tear down policy barriers and increase public support

Étude de l'enlèvement du Cd, Cu, Mn et Zn par solubilisation biologique dans les sédiments lacustres fortement contaminés

Des essais en erlenmeyers de 0,5 L ont été faits afin d'évaluer les possibilités d'application d'un procédé de solubilisation biologique aux sédiments. Ce procédé utilise la capacité des thiobacilles de lixivier les métaux en milieu acide. Au cours des essais, l'influence, sur la solubilisation des métaux, de la quantité de substrat (FeSO4 × 7H2O), du pourcentage d'inoculum et de la teneur en solides totaux a été suivie. La concentration de substrat n'a pas d'effet sur l'enlèvement du Cd, du Zn, du Mn et du Cu. Les taux d'enlèvement moyens pour le Cd, Zn et Mn, sont, après 46 heures, de 70 à 90 %, 90 à 100 % et 64 à 72 % pour des concentrations de substrat variant de 0 à 30 % FeSO4 × 7H2O (poids sec/poids sec). A 29 et 46 heures, des coefficients de détermination (r2) de 0,46 et 0,59 entre le pH et la concentration de FeSO4 × 7H2O, et de 0,92 et 0,55 entre le POR et la concentration de FeSO4 × 7H2O ont été trouvés. A plus forte teneur en FeSO4 × 7H2O, le POR est moins élevé, surtout au début des essais. La présence des ions ferreux en plus grande quantité expliquerait les plus faibles valeurs du potentiel-rédox. A 20 % d'inoculum, la solubilisation des métaux est optimale avec une solubili- sation de 86 % pour le Cd et 73 % pour le Cu et le Mn. La forte corrélation entre le POR, le pH et le pourcentage d'inoculum (r2 à 29, 46 et 70 heures de 0,94, 0,94 et 0,63 pour le POR et le pourcentage d'inoculum et de 0,80, 0,69 et 0,60 pour le pH et le pourcentage d'inoculum), a permis d'établir une corrélation entre le POR, le pH et la solubilisation du Cu. Les seuils trouvés permettant une solubilisation du Cu supérieure à 10 % sont un pH de 3,75 et un POR de 260 mV.L'augmentation des solides totaux (ST) semble limiter le développement des thiobacilles et diminue les rendements de solubilisation du Cd (à 21 heures) et du Zn (à 45 heures). Ainsi, pour le Cd, les pourcentages de solubilisation passent de 71 % à 24 % pour 3 et 15 % ST, alors que dans le cas du Zn, ils diminuent de 94 % à 81 % pour 3 et 15 % ST. La solubilisation du Mn serait, pour sa part, plutôt de type chimique.In the province of Québec, the St-Lawrence Seaway as well as the harbour areas undergo frequent dredging. Each year, more than 106 cubic metres of sediments must be dredged from the st-Lawrence river. The dredged sedirnents are generally dispersed in the water column. However, heavy metal contamination of these sediments may preclude open-water disposal and necessitate their confinement.The research work presented in this article applies to dredged sediments that are too contaminated for open-water disposal. In order to permit their safe disposal, it is necessary to have a method which effectively removes metals from these sediments. One of the effective methods of metal removal from contaminated sediments could be a microbial solubilization process, which was developed at INRS-Eau for sewage sludge decontamination and which has been tested on a pilot scale during the past year. In order to appty such a process to decontaminate sediments, it was necessary to study the influence of various factors affecting the microbial leaching process. This research verified the possibility of using a modified microbial leaching process to decontaminate sediments and also studied the influence of the enerry substrate, the microbial inoculum and the sediment total solids concentration on such a modified process.The experimental methodology consisted of mixing the contaminated sediment in a 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask for a period of 96 hours in the presence of thiobacillus inoculum and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4 • 7H2O) as the enerry substrate. Before each experiment sediments were adjusted to the desired total solids concentration with deionized water and were acidified with sulfuric acid to obtain the starting pH conditions.The solubilization of Cd, Cu, Zn and Mn was monitored at regular intervals in order to evaluate the influence of the various factors studied. Subsamples were removed, the sediments were digested and the metals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-AES). The elements analyzed were Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb,Zn as well as S, P and C. All the digestions and analyses performed made according to the APHA guidelines. The total solids, both volatile and inert, were also determined according to APHA method no.209F (APHA, 1985).Regarding the influence of the ferrous sulfate concentration on the application of the microbial leaching process, the removal rates of Cd, Zn and Mn did not vary more than 12 %. For all experiments, the final pH value approached 2,5. The oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) varied for all experiments from 462 to 560 mV. An energy source could therefore be present in the sediments, which would support the growth of thiobacillus bacteria.During the experiments conducted to study the influence of inoculum concentration on the microbial leaching process, it was found that the pH decreased from 3.5 to 2.4 and the ORP increased from 284 to 593 mV when the inoculum addition increased from 0 to 30 % (v/v). This tendency was also observed during the removal of Cd and above all, Cu. Between 0 and 20 % (v/v) inoculum concentration, Cd removal increased from 64 to 86 % whereas Cu removal increased from 20 to73 %. However, these two metals did not show any appreciable increase in solubilization when the inoculum was increased from 20 to 30 % (v/v). In the case of Mn, it was not possible to determine the solubilization pattern since the inoculum concentration did not influence the solubilization of this element, Between 0 and 30 % inoculum, the Mn removal varied from 56 to 73 %. Hence the microbial influence on Mn solubilization may be negligible.The study on the influence of total solids content on the microbial leaching process showed that the total solids concentration had an influence on pH and ORP. The final pH increased from 2.43 to 3.32 and ORP decreasedfrom 492 to 321 mV when the total solids content was varied from 3 to 15 % . The percent solubilization of Cd after 21 h was 7l %, 69 %, 43 %, 44 % and, 24 % at 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 % total solids respectively, On the other hand, Zn solubilization after 45 h was 94 %, 90 %, 84 %, 97 % and 8l % for the same concentrations of total solids. An increase in total solids content decreased the solubilization efficiency of Cd (at t=2l h) and, to a lesser extent, Zn (att=48h). However,in the case of Mn, the maximum solubilization was achieved right at the beginning and varied little with time. Its solubilization varied between 61 and 70 % for 3 % total solids, between 67 and, 79 % for 5 % total dolids, between 52 and,62 % for 7 % totaf solids, between 57 and, 75 % for l0 % total solids and tretween 40 and 63 % for 15 % total solids. In general, for the sediments studied here, total solids content has little influence on Mn solubilization.In conclusion, use of a microbial leaching process to remove metals from contaminated sediments seems to be less complex than for sewage sludges, since the maximum removal of metals is achieved in less than 48 h in a bench-scale experiment. The average metal solubilization was above 80 % for Cd, 73 % for Cu, 90 % for Zn and 65 % for Mn. The development of thiobacillus does not seem to be dependent upon the presence of an added energy substrate. Only a minimal quantity of substrate, say 5 % ferrous sulfate (dry wt./dry wt.), is required in order to assure optimal conditions for thiobacillus growth. It is probable that with time, without ferrous sulfate, the microbial conditions would deteriorate due to exhaustion ofthe enerry substrate. A 20 % microbial inoculum seems to be enough to assure an efficient metal solubilization process. Except for Mn, the increase in total solids concentration had a negative influence on the metal solubilization. It is hence preferable to work with a total solids concentration of less than 5 %. Nevertheless, it should be noted that this percentage is more than that used for sewage sludge decontaminaton (around 2 % total solids)