Rigorous proof of fuzzy error propagation with matrix-based LCI

Background, aim, and scope  

Propagation of parametric uncertainty in life cycle inventory (LCI) models is usually performed based on probabilistic Monte Carlo techniques. However, alternative approaches using interval or fuzzy numbers have been proposed based on the argument that these provide a better reflection of epistemological uncertainties inherent in some process data. Recent progress has been made to integrate fuzzy arithmetic into matrix-based LCI using decomposition into α-cut intervals. However, the proposed technique implicitly assumes that the lower bounds of the technology matrix elements give the highest inventory results, and vice versa, without providing rigorous proof.     

Recurrences and Human Agential Meaning Grounding: Laying a Path in Walking

This article addresses the semiotic problem of how meaning is agentially grounded: how actual meaning is possible and is justifiably supported by agents’ capabilities and purposes. This article is particularly focused on human agential grounding; however, to a great degree, insights presented here can be extended to other living beings. Specifically, agential meaning is examined here inside the framework of agentive semiotics and embodied, situated and enactive cognition theories, in line with the mind-life continuity general thesis (which intends to naturalize mind and experience). To offer clarity and methodological precision about agential grounding, three explanation categories (called recurrences) are proposed: phylogenetic recurrence, the evolutionary basis for corporal/embodied grounding; ontogenetic recurrence, the developmental basis for individual meaning grounding; and collective recurrence, the basis for meaning recognized, attributed and assigned inside social contexts. These recurrences are conceived as three types of general processes that constantly enclose possibilities for purpose and meaning emergence in humans. As a result of these types of recurrences, two categories of human agendas or purposes are also proposed: individual and collective. Finally, remarks about how these categories can be useful for semiotic analysis and further research are suggested.     

Relationship Between Molecular Structure and Thermo-mechanical Properties of Candelilla Wax and Amides Derived from (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-12-Hydroxystearic Acid as Gelators of Safflower Oil

In this research, we studied the relationship between the molecular structure of (R)-12-hydroxyoctadecanamide, (R)-N-propyl-12-hydroxyoctadecanamide, and (R)-N-octadecyl-12-hydroxyoctadecanamide and the thermo-mechanical properties of their 2% (wt/wt) organogels developed using safflower oil high in oleic acid (HOSFO) as the liquid phase. Candelilla wax (CW), a well-known edible gelling additive whose main component is hentriacontane, also was studied for comparative purposes. The results obtained show that the attractive interactions (i.e., hydrogen bonding and dipolar interactions) between amide groups and between hydroxyl groups present in the amides resulted in organogels with higher melting temperature, heat of melting, and crystallization parameters than those found in the CW organogel. The rheological parameters associated to the strength of the amide or CW-based gels developed in HOSFO (i.e., yield stress and elastic modulus) seem to be associated with the nature of amide groups (i.e., primary or secondary amide) and the increase in the length of the self-assembly molecular unit (i.e., L value determined by X-ray diffraction) and therefore to the extent of London dispersion forces along the hydrocarbon chain. The creep and recovery measurements allowed an evaluation among the internal structures of the different organogels and demonstrated that independent of the hydrogen bonding and dipolar interaction provided by the amide and the hydroxyl groups, the increase in the hydrocarbon chain length results in higher organogel resistance to deformation and higher instant recovery capacity. However, the stabilization of the self-assembly unit through polar groups (i.e., –CONH₂ in HOA) reduces organogel elasticity but provides a higher extended recovery capacity. The results reported in this investigation showed some relationships between gelator structure and the thermo-mechanical properties of low-molecular-mass organic gelator amides. Our long-term objective is to understand the organogelation process to eventually develop trans-free vegetable oil-based food products with novel textures for the consumers.     

Animal Welfare in Relation to Standards in Organic Farming

The new EU-regulations on organic farming (1804/1999) are also influencing the animal welfare. A lot of positive regulations is to find, but also regulations that seen to mind more about the general public and customer and their view on organic farming, than the health and welfare of the animals.The paper specially focus on the impact of the regulations and the recommendations that phytotherapeutic essences and homeopathic products take precedence over the so called chemically-synthesised allopatic veterinary medical products, and that the use of the same is prohibited for preventive treatments. Key questions here are the lack of scientific evidence concerning homeopathy in animals, and that Swedish veterinarians are not allowed to work with homeopathy.Differences in interpretation of the regulations between animal owners and veterinarians will also be discussed. What is a disease that needs treatment? Who is to decide about the treatment? Parasitic infections are discussed as an illustrative example.Other consequences of the regulations concerning the animal welfare are problems in certain geographical zones, for instance subarctic areas where necessary crops are impossible to grow.Animal transports and splitting mother-offspring are briefly discussed as future problems to be handled in the regulations, and the paper ends by presenting the need of regulated herd health control programs in organic husbandry, which can detect and focus on welfare and production problems. The organic movement is not static, and must not be so.     

Reduced Medication in Organic Farming with Emphasis on Organic Dairy Production

Medication is an important focus area in organic animal husbandry. The combination of goals relating to improved animal welfare and reduced use of chemicals in general creates a common wish to reduce medication. Based on data from current Danish research projects in organic dairy farming, one specific organic medication pattern or policy cannot be described. The disease treatment pattern is influenced by many factors, e.g. the interaction with colleagues, veterinarians and agricultural advisors. No significant difference could be found with regard to incidence of mastitis treatments or somatic cell counts in 27 organic and 57 conventional herds. A marked tendency to shorter treatment periods in relation to mastitis treatments was described for organic farms in comparison with conventional farms (1.9 days versus 3.2 days (5 organic and 7 conventional herds)). In a study of development of health advisory service in organic herds, the dialogue between farmer, veterinarian and agricultural cattle advisor changed the treatment pattern markedly during a period of 6 months. Among important future challenges for veterinarians in organic farming is pointed at the constructive, open, and critical interaction with the single organic farmer as well as the organic animal husbandry system in general.     

Melatonin in the seasonal response of the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum

Aphids display life cycles largely determined by the photoperiod.During the warm long-day seasons.most aphid species reproduce by viviparous parthenogenesis.The shortening of the photoperiod in autumn induces a switch to sexual reproduction.Males and sexual females mate to produce overwintering resistant eggs.In addition to this full life cycle(holocycle),there are anholocyelic lineages that do not respond to changes in photoperiod and reproduce continuously by parthenogenesis.The molecular or hormonal events that trigger the scasonal response(i.c,induction of the sexual phenotypes)are still unknown.Although circadian synthesis of melatonin is known to play a key role in vertebrate photoperiodism,the involvement of the circadian clock and/or of the hor-mone melatonin in insect seasonal responses is not so well established.Here we show that melatonin levels in the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum are significantly higher in holocyclice aphids reared under short days than under long days,while no differences were found between anholoeyelic aphids under the same conditions.We also found that melatonin is localized in the aphid suboesophageal ganglion(SOG)and in the thoracic ganglionic mass(TGM).In analogy to vertcbrates,insect-type arylalkxylamine N-acetyltransferases(i-AANATs)are thought to play a key role in melatonin synthesis.We measured the expression of four I-AANAT genes identified in A.pisum and localized two of them in situ in the insect central nervous systems(CNS).Levels of expression of these genes were compatible with the quantities of melatonin observed.Moreover,like melatonin,expression of these genes was found in the SOG and the TGM.     

Complex phylogenetic distribution of a non-canonical genetic code in green algae

Background  

A non-canonical nuclear genetic code, in which TAG and TAA have been reassigned from stop codons to glutamine, has evolved independently in several eukaryotic lineages, including the ulvophycean green algal orders Dasycladales and Cladophorales. To study the phylogenetic distribution of the standard and non-canonical genetic codes, we generated sequence data of a representative set of ulvophycean green algae and used a robust green algal phylogeny to evaluate different evolutionary scenarios that may account for the origin of the non-canonical code.     

Cyclic AMP increases the Adhesion of Fibroblasts to Substratum

THE interaction between the cell surface and the substratum is very important in determining several characteristics of cells growing in tissue culture. Transformed cells are less adherent to the substratum than untransformed cells¹ and this reduced interaction with the substratum may be responsible for abnormal properties such as the loss of contact or density dependent inhibition of growth² and the ability to form colonies in agar and to grow in suspension culture.