Control of optical fields and single photon emitters by advanced nanoantenna structures

The control of optical fields on the nanometre scale is becoming an increasingly important tool in many fields, ranging from channelling light delivery in photovoltaics and light emitting diodes to increasing the sensitivity of chemical sensors to single molecule levels. The ability to design and manipulate light fields with specific frequency and space characteristics is explored in this project. We present an alternative realisation of Extraordinary Optical Transmission (EOT) that requires only a single aperture and a coupled waveguide. We show how this waveguide-resonant EOT improves the transmissivity of single apertures. An important technique in imaging is Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM); we show how waveguide-resonant EOT and the novel probe design assist in improving the efficiency of NSOM probes by two orders of magnitude, and allow the imaging of single molecules with an optical resolution of as good as 50 nm. We show how optical antennas are fabricated into the apex of sharp tips and can be used in a near-field configuration.

The use of the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism technique associated with the classical morphology for characterization of Lymnaea columella, L. viatrix, and L. diaphana (Mollusca: Lymnaeidae)

The specific identification of Lymnaeid snails is based on a comparison of morphological characters of the shell, radula, renal and reproductive organs. However, the identification is complicated by dissection process, intra and interspecific similarity and variability of morphological characters. In the present study, polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques targeted to the first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) rDNA and to the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal gene (16S rDNAmt) were used to differentiate the species Lymnaea columella, L. viatrix, and L. diaphana from some localities of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay as well as to verify whether the molecular results corroborates the classical morphological method.PCR-RFLP analysis of the ITS1, ITS2, and 16S using 12 restriction enzymes revealed characteristic patterns for L. columella and L. diaphana which were concordant with the classical morphology. On the other hand, for L. viatrix populations a number of 1 to 6 profiles were generated while morphology provided the species pattern results.

Adult non-smokers' exposure to second-hand smoke

This quantitative study was commissioned by the DHSSPS as part of their smoke-free monitoring and evaluation strategy after the introduction of smoke-free legislation in Northern Ireland in April 2007.The research was undertaken to determine the impact of smoke-free legislation on non-smoking adults who live with a smoker.Using research carried out both before and after the introduction of smoke-free legislation, this study details for the first time the attitudes and knowledge of non-smoking adults living with smokers in Northern Ireland, in relation to second-hand smoke.The study also reports non-smokers' exposure to second-hand smoke in a range of environments.

Representing diffusion MRI in 5D for segmentation of white matter tracts with a level set method.

We present a method for segmenting white matter tracts from high angular resolution diffusion MR. images by representing the data in a 5 dimensional space of position and orientation. Whereas crossing fiber tracts cannot be separated in 3D position space, they clearly disentangle in 5D position-orientation space. The segmentation is done using a 5D level set method applied to hyper-surfaces evolving in 5D position-orientation space. In this paper we present a methodology for constructing the position-orientation space. We then show how to implement the standard level set method in such a non-Euclidean high dimensional space. The level set theory is basically defined for N-dimensions but there are several practical implementation details to consider, such as mean curvature. Finally, we will show results from a synthetic model and a few preliminary results on real data of a human brain acquired by high angular resolution diffusion MRI.

Early detection of idiopathic Parkinson's disease based on magnetic resonance imaging

The diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) is entirely clinical. The fact that neuronal damage begins 5-10 years before occurrence of sub-clinical signs, underlines the importance of preclinical diagnosis. A new approach for in-vivo pathophysiological assessment of IPD-related neurodegeneration was implemented based on recently developed neuroimaging methods. It is based on non- invasive magnetic resonance data sensitive to brain tissue property changes that precede macroscopic atrophy in the early stages of IPD. This research aims to determine the brain tissue property changes induced by neurodegeneration that can be linked to clinical phenotypes which will allow us to create a predictive model for early diagnosis in IPD. We hypothesized that the degree of disease progression in IPD patients will have a differential and specific impact on brain tissue properties used to create a predictive model of motor and non-motor impairment in IPD. We studied the potential of in-vivo quantitative imaging sensitive to neurodegeneration- related brain tissue characteristics to detect changes in patients with IPD. We carried out methodological work within the well established SPM8 framework to estimate the sensitivity of tissue probability maps for automated tissue classification for detection of early IPD. We performed whole-brain multi parameter mapping at high resolution followed by voxel-based morphometric (VBM) analysis and voxel-based quantification (VBQ) comparing healthy subjects to IPD patients. We found a trend demonstrating non-significant tissue property changes in the olfactory bulb area using the MT and R1 parameter with p<0.001. Comparing to the IPD patients, the healthy group presented a bilateral higher MT and R1 intensity in this specific functional region. These results did not correlate with age, severity or duration of disease. We failed to demonstrate any changes with the R2* parameter. We interpreted our findings as demyelination of the olfactory tract, which is clinically represented as anosmia. However, the lack of correlation with duration or severity complicates its implications in the creation of a predictive model of impairment in IPD.

An experiment on Nash implementation

We perform an experimental test of Maskin's canonical mechanism for Nashimplementation, using 3 subjects in non-repeated groups, as well as 3 outcomes, states of nature, and integer choices. We find that this mechanism succesfully implements the desired outcome a large majority of the time and an imbedded comprehension test indicates that subjects were generally able to comprehend their decision tasks. The performance can also be improved by imposing a fine on non designated dissidents. We offer some explanations for the imperfect implementation, including risk preferences, the possibilities that agents have for collusion, and the mixed strategy equilibria of the game.

Expanding molecular modeling and design tools to non-natural sidechains.

Protein-protein interactions encode the wiring diagram of cellular signaling pathways and their deregulations underlie a variety of diseases, such as cancer. Inhibiting protein-protein interactions with peptide derivatives is a promising way to develop new biological and therapeutic tools. Here, we develop a general framework to computationally handle hundreds of non-natural amino acid sidechains and predict the effect of inserting them into peptides or proteins. We first generate all structural files (pdb and mol2), as well as parameters and topologies for standard molecular mechanics software (CHARMM and Gromacs). Accurate predictions of rotamer probabilities are provided using a novel combined knowledge and physics based strategy. Non-natural sidechains are useful to increase peptide ligand binding affinity. Our results obtained on non-natural mutants of a BCL9 peptide targeting beta-catenin show very good correlation between predicted and experimental binding free-energies, indicating that such predictions can be used to design new inhibitors. Data generated in this work, as well as PyMOL and UCSF Chimera plug-ins for user-friendly visualization of non-natural sidechains, are all available at http://www.swisssidechain.ch. Our results enable researchers to rapidly and efficiently work with hundreds of non-natural sidechains.

Does Bt maize cultivation affect the non-target insect community in the agro ecosystem?

ABSTRACT The cultivation of genetically modified crops in Brazil has led to the need to assess the impacts of this technology on non-target species. Under field conditions, the potential effect on insect biodiversity was evaluated by comparing a homogeneous corn field with conventional and transgenic maize, expressing different Bt proteins in seven counties of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The richness pattern of non-target insect species, secondary pests and natural enemies were observed. The results do not support the hypothesis that Bt protein affects insect biodiversity. The richness and diversity data of insects studied were dependent on the location and other factors, such as the use of insecticides, which may be a major factor where they are used.

Immune responses to airborne fungi and non-invasive airway diseases.

Inhalation of fungal particles is a ubiquitous way of exposure to microorganisms during human life; however, this exposure may promote or exacerbate respiratory diseases only in particular exposure conditions and human genetic background. Depending on the fungal species and form, fungal particles can induce symptoms in the lung by acting as irritants, aeroallergens or pathogens causing infection. Some thermophilic species can even act in all these three ways (e.g. Aspergillus, Penicillium), mesophilic species being only involved in allergic and/or non-allergic airway diseases (e.g. Cladosporium, Alternaria, Fusarium). The goal of the present review is to present the current knowledge on the interaction between airborne fungal particles and the host immune system, to illustrate the differences of immune sensing of different fungal species and to emphasise the importance of conducting research on non-conventional mesophilic fungal species. Indeed, the diversity of fungal species we inhale and the complexity of their composition have a direct impact on fungal particle recognition and immune system decision to tolerate or respond to those particles, eventually leading to collateral damages promoting airway pathologies.

ESCMID* guideline for the diagnosis and management of Candida diseases 2012: non-neutropenic adult patients.

This part of the EFISG guidelines focuses on non-neutropenic adult patients. Only a few of the numerous recommendations can be summarized in the abstract. Prophylactic usage of fluconazole is supported in patients with recent abdominal surgery and recurrent gastrointestinal perforations or anastomotic leakages. Candida isolation from respiratory secretions alone should never prompt treatment. For the targeted initial treatment of candidaemia, echinocandins are strongly recommended while liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole are supported with moderate, and fluconazole with marginal strength. Treatment duration for candidaemia should be a minimum of 14 days after the end of candidaemia, which can be determined by one blood culture per day until negativity. Switching to oral treatment after 10 days of intravenous therapy has been safe in stable patients with susceptible Candida species. In candidaemia, removal of indwelling catheters is strongly recommended. If catheters cannot be removed, lipid-based amphotericin B or echinocandins should be preferred over azoles. Transoesophageal echocardiography and fundoscopy should be performed to detect organ involvement. Native valve endocarditis requires surgery within a week, while in prosthetic valve endocarditis, earlier surgery may be beneficial. The antifungal regimen of choice is liposomal amphotericin B +/- flucytosine. In ocular candidiasis, liposomal amphotericin B +/- flucytosine is recommended when the susceptibility of the isolate is unknown, and in susceptible isolates, fluconazole and voriconazole are alternatives. Amphotericin B deoxycholate is not recommended for any indication due to severe side effects.

Was the Classical Tradition Betrayed by J. Ivory's adaptation of E. M. Forster's "Maurice"?

According to Literature and Film studies and from the point of view of the influence of Classical Tradition on Western Culture -Classical Greek Tradition, in this case-, this article is an accurate analysis of the inevitable -to a certain degree- screenwriters betrayals regarding the literary texts that they adapt. However, in spite of being practically inevitable, Dr. Pau Gilabert Barberà indicates which are in his opinion the limits beyond which Ivory/Hesketh-Harvey should have not gone in order not to dilute the Hellenic temper of E. M. Forster's Maurice.

Ecotoxicological approaches to assess the long-term effects of four anticancer drugs and metabolites on Daphnia pulex

The aquatic environment is exposed continuously and increasingly to chemical substances such as pharmaceuticals. These medical compounds are released into the environment after having being consumed and body-excreted by patients. Pharmaceutical residues are synthetic molecules that are not always removed by traditional sewage treatment processes and thus escape degradation. Among pharmaceuticals that escape sewage treatment plants (STPs), the anticancer drugs were measured in STP effluents and natural waters. In the aquatic environment, their long-term effects at low concentrations are sparsely known on non-target species. Tamoxifen is an anticancer drug that is widely prescribed worldwide for the prevention and treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. Two of its metabolites, i.e., endoxifen and 4-hydroxy- tamoxifen (4OHTam), have high pharmacological potency in vivo and such as tamoxifen, they are excreted via faeces by patients. Tamoxifen was measured in STP effluents and natural waters but, to the best of our knowledge, its metabolites concentrations in waters have never been reported. Imatinib is another and recent anticancer compound that targets specific tumour cells. This pharmaceutical is also body excreted and because of its increasing use in cancer treatment, imatinib may reach the natural water. The effects of tamoxifen and imatinib are unknown upon more than one generation of aquatic species. And the effects of 4OHTam, endoxifen have never been studied in ecotoxicology so far. The aims of this thesis were threefold. First, the sensitivity of D. pulex exposed to tamoxifen, 4OHTam, endoxifen or imatinib was assessed using ecotoxicological experiments. Ecotoxicology is the science that considers the toxic effects of natural or synthetic substances, such as pharmaceuticals, on organisms, populations, community and ecosystem. Acute and multigenerational (2-4 generations) tests were performed on daphnids considering several studied endpoints, such as immobilisation, size, reproduction, viability and intrinsic rate of natural increase. Additional prospective assays were designed to evaluate whether 1) low concentrations of tamoxifen and 4OHTam were able to induce toxic effects when used in combination, and 2) daphnids were able to recover when offspring were withdrawn from solutions carrying the pharmaceutical. Second, the stability of tamoxifen, 4OHTam and endoxifen in incubation medium was evaluated in solution exempted from daphnids. Because the nominal concentrations of tamoxifen, 4OHTam and endoxifen did not correspond to the measured, we provide a predictive method to estimate the concentrations of these chemicals during long-term ecotoxicological tests. Finally, changes in protein expressions were analysed in D. pulex exposed 2 or 7 seven days to tamoxifen using ecotoxicoproteomic experiments with a shot-gun approach inducing a peptide fractionation step. Our results show that tamoxifen, 4OHTam and endoxifen induced adverse effects in D. pulex at environmentally relevant concentrations. At very low concentrations, these molecules displayed unusual and teratogenic effects because morphological abnormalities were observed in offspring, such as thick and short antennas, curved spines, premature neonates and aborted eggs. Tamoxifen was the most toxic compound among the test chemicals, followed by 4OHTam, endoxifen and imatinib. Tamoxifen no-observed effect concentrations (NOECs) that were calculated for size, reproduction and intrinsic rate were below or in the range of the concentrations measured in natural waters, i.e., between 0.12 µg/L and 0.67 µg/L. For instance, the tamoxifen NOECs that were calculated for reproduction were between 0.67 and 0.72 µg/L, whereas the NOEC was < 0.15 µg/L when based on morphological abnormalities. The NOECs of 4OHTam were higher but still in the same order of magnitude as tamoxifen environmental concentrations, with a value of 1.48 µg/L. Endoxifen NOEC for the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) and the reproduction were 0.4 and 4.3 µg/L, respectively. Daphnids that were withdrawn from tamoxifen and 4OHTam were not able to recover. Also, the reproduction of D. pulex was reduced when the treated animals were exposed to the combination of tamoxifen and 4OHTam while no effects were observed when these chemicals were tested individually at the same concentration. Among the anticancer drugs that were tested during this thesis, imatinib was the less toxic molecule towards D. pulex. No effects on size and reproduction were observed within two generations, except for the first whose reproduction decreased at the highest test concentration, i.e., 626 µg/L. Our results also underline the need to use measured or predicted concentrations instead of the nominal during aquatic experiments, particularly when lipophilic molecules are tested. Indeed, notable differences between nominal (i.e., theoretical) and measured concentrations were found with tamoxifen, 4OHTam and endoxifen at all test concentrations. A cost and time sustainable method was proposed to predict the test exposure levels of these chemicals during long-term experiments. This predictive method was efficient particularly for low concentrations, which corresponded to the test concentrations in multigenerational tests. In the ecotoxicoproteomic experiments a total of 3940 proteins were identified and quantified in D. pulex exposed to tamoxifen. These results are currently the largest dataset from D. pulex that is published and the results of proteomic analyses are available for the scientific community. Among these 3940 proteins, 189 were significantly different from controls. After protein annotation, we assumed that treated daphnids with tamoxifen had shifted cost-energy functions, such as reproduction, to maintain their basic metabolism necessary to survive. This metabolic cost hypothesis was supported by the presence of proteins involved in oxidative stress. Biomarkers for early detection of tamoxifen harmful effects on D. pulex were not discovered but the proteins of the vitellogenin-2 family (E9H8K5) and the ryanodine receptor (E9FTU9) are promising potential biomarkers because their expression was already modified after 2 days of treatment. In this thesis, the effects of tamoxifen, 4OHTam and endoxifen on daphnids raise questions about the potential impact of tamoxifen and 4OHTam in other aquatic ecosystems, and therefore, about metabolites in ecotoxicology. Because the NOECs were environmentally relevant, these results suggest that tamoxifen and 4OHTam may be interesting pharmaceuticals to consider in risk assessment. Our findings also emphasize the importance of performing long-term experiments and of considering multi-endpoints instead of the standard reproductive endpoint. Finally, we open the discussion about the importance to measure test exposures or not, during ecotoxicological studies. -- Les milieux aquatiques sont exposés continuellement à un nombre croissant de substances chimiques, notamment les médicaments issus de la médecine vétérinaire et humaine. Chez les patients, les substances administrées sont utilisées par le corps avant d'être éliminées par l'intermédiaire des excrétas dans le système d'eaux usées de la ville. Ces eaux rejoignent ensuite une station de traitement afin d'y éliminer les déchets. Dans le cas des molécules chimiques, il arrive que les processus de traitement d'eaux usées ne soient pas suffisamment efficaces et que ces molécules ne soient pas dégradées. Elles sont alors libérées dans le milieu aquatique avec les effluents de la station d'épuration. Une fois dans l'environnement, ces résidus de médicaments sont susceptibles d'induire des effets sur la faune et la flore aquatique, dont les conséquences à long terme et à faibles concentrations sont peu connues. Les anticancéreux sont une famille de médicaments qui peuvent échapper aux traitements des stations d'épuration et qui sont retrouvées dans le milieu aquatique naturel. Parmi ces substances, le tamoxifen est une molécule utilisée dans le monde entier pour prévenir et traiter les cancers hormonaux dépendant du sein, notamment. Une fois ingéré, le tamoxifen est transformé par le foie en métabolites dont deux d'entre eux, le 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (4OHTam) et l'endoxifen, possèdent un affinité pour les récepteurs aux estrogènes et une efficacité sur les cellules tumorales supérieure au tamoxifen lui- même. Tout comme la molécule mère, ces métabolites sont principalement éliminés par l'intermédiaire des fèces. Le tamoxifen a déjà été mesuré dans les effluents de stations d'épuration et dans les eaux naturelles, mais aucune valeur n'a été reportée pour ses métabolites jusqu'à présent. Un autre anticancéreux, également éliminé par voie biliaire et susceptible d'atteindre l'environnement, est l'imatinib. Cette récente molécule a révolutionné le traitement et la survie des patients souffrant de leucémie myéloïde chronique et de tumeur stromales gastrointestinales. Les effets du tamoxifen et de l'imatinib sur plusieurs générations d'organismes aquatiques, tels que les microcrustacés Daphnia, sont inconnus et le 4OHTam et l'endoxifen n'ont même jamais été testés en écotoxicologie. Cette thèse s'est articulée autour de trois objectifs principaux. Premièrement, la sensibilité des D. pulex exposés au tamoxifen, 4OHTam, endoxifen et imatinib a été évaluée par l'intermédiaire de tests aigus et de tests sur deux à quatre générations. La mobilité, la taille, la reproduction, la viabilité et la croissance potentielle de la population ont été relevées au cours de ces expériences. Des tests supplémentaires, à but prospectifs, ont également été réalisés afin d'évaluer 1) la capacité de récupération des daphnies, lorsque leurs descendants ont été placés dans un milieu exempté de tamoxifen ou de 4OHTam, 2) les effets chez les daphnies exposées à une solution contenant de faibles concentration de tamoxifen et de 4OHTam mélangés. Le deuxième objectif a été d'évaluer la stabilité du tamoxifen, 4OHTam et endoxifen dilué dans le milieu des daphnies. Après analyses, les concentrations mesurées ne correspondaient pas aux concentrations nominales (c.-à-d., théoriques) et il a été nécessaire de développer une méthode efficace de prédiction des niveaux d'exposition lors de tests de longue durée réalisés avec ces trois molécules. Finalement, des changements dans l'expression des protéines chez des daphnies exposées au tamoxifen ont été investigués par l'intermédiaire d'expériences écotoxicoprotéomiques avec une approche dite de shot-gun avec une étape de fractionnement des protéines. Les résultats obtenus dans cette thèse montrent que le tamoxifen, le 4OHTam et l'endoxifen induisent des effets indésirables chez les daphnies à des niveaux d'exposition proches ou identiques aux concentrations du tamoxifen mesurées dans l'environnement, c'est-à-dire 0.12 et 0.67 µg/L de tamoxifen. Ces molécules ont induit des effets inhabituels tels que la production de : nouveau-nés anormaux, avec des antennes et des queues déformées, des prématurés et des oeufs avortés. Le tamoxifen fut la molécule la plus toxique pour les D. pulex suivie du 4OHTam, de l'endoxifen et enfin de l'imatinib. Lors des expériences sur plusieurs générations, les concentrations n'ayant statistiquement pas d'effet (c.à.d. NOEC en anglais) sur la taille, la reproduction et la croissance intrinsèque de la population étaient du même ordre de grandeur que les concentrations environnementales du tamoxifen. Par exemple, les NOECs du tamoxifen calculées pour la reproduction étaient de 0.67 et 0.72 µg/L, tandis que celle calculée sur la base des anomalies chez les nouveau-nés était < 0.15 µg/L. Les NOECs du 4OHTam se situaient entre 0.16 et 1.48 µg/L et celles de l'endoxifen pour la croissance intrinsèque de la population, ainsi que pour la reproduction, étaient de 0.4 et 4.3 µg/L, respectivement. Dans l'expérience basée sur la récupération des daphnies, la taille et la reproduction ont diminué bien que la descendance fût placée dans un milieu sans substances chimiques. Les daphnies exposées au mélange de tamoxifen et de 4OHTam ont produit moins de nouveau-nés que les contrôles, alors que ces concentrations n'ont pas induit d'effets lorsque testées individuellement. Finalement, l'imatinib n'a pas montré d'effets sur les deux générations testées. Seule la première génération exposée à la plus haute concentration (626 µg/L) a montré une diminution de la reproduction. Les résultats obtenus lors de l'évaluation de la stabilité du tamoxifen, 4OHTam et endoxifen dans le milieu des daphnies ont souligné l'importance d'utiliser des concentrations mesurées ou prédites en écotoxicologie. En effet, des différences notables entre concentrations nominales et mesurées ont été observées à toutes les concentrations et l'hypothèse d'un phénomène d'adsorption sur le verre des récipients a été posée. De ce fait, il a été nécessaire d'élaborer une méthode prédictive efficace et acceptable, en terme de temps et de coûts. Une régression polynomiale basée sur des concentrations mesurées et nominales a permis de prédire avec efficacité les faibles niveaux d'exposition utilisés lors d'expériences écotoxicologiques à long terme, sur plusieurs générations. Suite aux expériences d'écotoxicoprotéomiques, un total de 3940 protéines ont été identifiées et quantifiées chez des daphnies exposées au tamoxifen. Ce nombre est actuellement la plus large série de données publiées et mises à disposition pour la communauté scientifique. Parmi ces protéines, 189 sont significatives et possiblement reliées à des processus de reproduction et de stress. Sur cette base, nous avons émis l'hypothèse que les individus subissant un stress, lié à l'exposition au tamoxifen, ont utilisé leur énergie de base pour favoriser leur survie plutôt que la reproduction. Enfin, la détermination de bio-marqueurs exprimant des dommages précoces des daphnies exposées au tamoxifen n'a pas abouti en tant que telle, mais des protéines prometteuses, telle que la famille de viellogenin-2 (E9H8K5) et le récepteur à la ryanodine (E9FTU9), ont été exprimées après deux jours d'exposition déjà. Ces protéines pourraient faire l'objet d'investigations écotoxicoprotéomiques futures. Les résultats de cette thèse posent certaines questions quant au risque du tamoxifen, du 4OHTam et de l'endoxifen sur la faune et la flore aquatique et plus particulièrement sur les anticancéreux présents dans l'environnement. Les effets toxiques de ces molécules ont été observés à des concentrations environnementales et sur plusieurs générations. La question de considérer les métabolites, et ainsi les pro-médicaments, en écotoxicologie est soulevée, notamment parce que ces molécules peuvent être plus actives et efficaces que la molécule mère. Les expériences chroniques, sur plusieurs générations sont également à favoriser car elles offrent un meilleur reflet de la réalité environnementale que des essais aigus ou d'une génération. L'utilisation de la protéomique permet d'agrandir les connaissances sur les effets des médicaments à un niveau inférieur de l'organisation biologique et ainsi, de mieux comprendre de potentiels mécanismes d'action ou de déterminer de potentiels biomarqueurs. Finalement, il semble important de discuter de l'opportunité de mesurer les concentrations qui sont testées en écotoxicologie afin de ne pas sous-estimer le risque pour la faune et la flore aquatique.

Compared performance of penetrometers and effect of soil water content on penetration resistance measurements

Modern agriculture techniques have a great impact on crops and soil quality, especially by the increased machinery traffic and weight. Several devices have been developed for determining soil properties in the field, aimed at managing compacted areas. Penetrometry is a widely used technique; however, there are several types of penetrometers, which have different action modes that can affect the soil resistance measurement. The objective of this study was to compare the functionality of two penetrometry methods (manual and automated mode) in the field identification of compacted, highly mechanized sugarcane areas, considering the influence of soil water volumetric content (θ) on soil penetration resistance (PR). Three sugarcane fields on a Rhodic Eutrudrox were chosen, under a sequence of harvest systems: one manual harvest (1ManH), one mechanized harvest (1MH) and three mechanized harvests (3MH). The different degrees of mechanization were associated to cumulative compaction processes. An electronic penetrometer was used on PR measurements, so that the rod was introduced into the soil by hand (Manual) and by an electromechanical motor (Auto). The θ was measured in the field with a soil moisture sensor. Results showed an effect of θ on PR measurements and that regression models must be used to correct data before comparing harvesting systems. The rod introduction modes resulted in different mean PR values, where the "Manual" overestimated PR compared to the "Auto" mode at low θ.

Tuning the immune response of dendritic cells to surface-assembled poly(I:C) on microspheres through synergistic interactions between phagocytic and TLR3 signaling.

The artificial dsRNA polyriboinosinic acid-polyribocytidylic acid, poly(I:C), is a potent adjuvant candidate for vaccination, as it strongly drives cell-mediated immunity. However, because of its effects on non-immune bystander cells, poly(I:C) administration may bear danger for the development of autoimmune diseases. Thus poly(I:C) should be applied in the lowest dose possible. We investigated microspheres carrying surface-assembled poly(I:C) as a two-in-one adjuvant formulation to stimulate maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). Negatively charged polystyrene microspheres were equipped with a poly(ethylene glycol) corona through electrostatically driven surface assembly of a library of polycationic poly(l-lysine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers, PLL-g-PEG. Stable surface assembly of poly(I:C) was achieved by incubation of polymer-coated microspheres in an aqueous poly(I:C) solution. Surface-assembled poly(I:C) exhibited a strongly enhanced efficacy to stimulate maturation of MoDCs by up to two orders of magnitude, as compared to free poly(I:C). Multiple phagocytosis events were the key factor to enhance the efficacy. The cytokine secretion pattern of MoDCs after exposure to surface-assembled poly(I:C) differed from that of free poly(I:C), while their ability to stimulate T cell proliferation was similar. Overall, phagocytic signaling plays an important role in defining the resulting immune response to such two-in-one adjuvant formulations.

Non-verbal behavioural patterns in trilogue play transitions and family alliances

This case study focuses on non-verbal behaviour in father-mother-infant triads. Analyses were done on transitional moments during which the partners exchanged an active role for a participant-observer role, or vice versa. Transitions are known to be crucial moments for revealing familial transactional mechanisms. Our sample was comprised of six non-clinical families, characterized by different types of functional or problematic alliances (which is the degree of coordination between the partners). Our methodology included micro-analysis of body and gaze formations, facial expressions, and so on. Data were analysed using the research package 'THEME' for the detection of hidden patterns. Different types of non-verbal patterns were found, which may be prototypes corresponding to the different types of alliance. The patterns of the families with high alliances had a more elaborate construction and were more efficient for the concluding of transitions than the patterns of families with low alliances, which were either elementary or laborious. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)