scholarly journals New insights into neuropeptide modulation of aggression: field studies of arginine vasotocin in a territorial tropical damselfish

2006 ◽  
Vol 273 (1605) ◽  
pp. 3085-3092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Santangelo ◽  
Andrew H Bass
Keyword(s):  
Wild Population ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Vehicle Control ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Arginine Vasotocin ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Stegastes Leucostictus ◽  
Dose Response Study ◽  
Saline Vehicle ◽  
Medium Dose

The neuropeptides arginine vasotocin (AVT) and arginine vasopressin are key modulators of affiliation and aggression among non-mammalian and mammalian vertebrates, respectively. Here, we explored AVT's effect on aggression in a wild population of beaugregory damselfish, Stegastes leucostictus , a highly territorial species. Aggression by territorial males towards ‘intruders’ (bottled fishes) was assessed before and after each male received intramuscular injections of either AVT, Manning compound (an AVT V1a receptor antagonist), isotocin (the teleost homologue of mammalian oxytocin differing from AVT by two amino acids) or saline (vehicle control). Compared to saline controls, AVT and Manning increased and decreased aggression, respectively, while isotocin had no effect. Response selectivity was further established in a dose–response study that revealed an inverted U-shaped function. Compared to saline controls, aggression levels for low and high AVT doses were similar, while medium dose treatments were significantly greater. This type of behavioural response, the first that we know of for a vertebrate neuropeptide, could depend on the binding of AVT to both V1-type and other AVT or non-AVT receptors. The pattern revealed here for damselfish may be symptomatic of species- and context-dependent specificity of AVT's modulation of aggression across teleosts, as is currently proposed for tetrapods.

Real-life Field Studies of the NOx Removing Properties of Photocatalytic Surfaces in Roskilde and Copenhagen Airport, Denmark

2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Jensen ◽  
Pernille D. Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
High Stability ◽  
Reference Site ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
The Real ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Parking Lot ◽  
Photocatalytic Concrete

Aims: To evaluate the real-life effect of photocatalytic surfaces on the air quality at two test-sites in Denmark. Background: Poor air quality is today one of the largest environmental issues, due to the adverse effects on human health associated with high levels of air pollution, including respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and lung cancer. NOx removal by TiO2 based photocatalysis is a tool to improve air quality locally in areas where people are exposed. Methods: Two test sites were constructed in Roskilde and Copenhage airport. In Roskilde, the existing asphalt at two parking lots was treated with TiO2 containing liquid and an in-situ ISO 22197-1 test setup was developed to enable in-situ evaluation of the activity of the asphalt. In CPH airport, photocatalytic concrete tiles were installed at the "kiss and fly" parking lot, and NOx levels were continuously monitored in 0.5 m by CLD at the active site and a comparable reference site before and after installation for a period of 2 years. Results: The Roskilde showed high stability of the photocatalytic coating with the activity being largely unchanged over a period of 2 years. The CPH airport study showed that the average NOx levels were decreased by 12 % comparing the before and after NOx concentrations at the active and reference site. Conclusion: The joined results of the two Danish demonstration projects illustrate a high stability of the photocatalytic coating as well as a high potential for improvements of the real-life air quality in polluted areas.

RATIONALE FOR MONITORING GROUNDWATER LEVELS IN THE REHABILITATED PEATLANDS OF PRIPYAT POLESIE

2020 ◽  
pp. 33-43
Author(s):  
Olga N. Ratnicava ◽  
Irina P. Lisitsyna ◽  
Inna V. Аgeichik
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Natural State ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Discharge Water ◽  
Peat Deposits ◽  
Disturbed Areas ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Vegetation Maps ◽  
Relationship Of

Based on studies of geomorphology, stratigraphy, hydrology, various maps of Polesie, zones of influence of amelioration canals, vegetation maps, modern satellite images, as well as field studies of peatlands of Pripyat Polesie, two independent drainage systems have been identified, with a network of amelioration canals that intensively discharge water into the rivers Stwiga and Ybort`. Maps of key points were built In GIS-format, on which five sites were laid in the field within the Mezhch and Neresnya peat deposits for further long-term monitoring of GWL parameters. The locations of the sensors installation are based on the relationship of bog phytocenoses with the average annual GWL values and the amplitude of their fluctuations. Analysis of the GWL parameters before and after environmental rehabilitation measures will allow assessing the effectiveness of planned measures in disturbed areas and obtaining new data on areas of peat deposits in their natural state.

Traffic Flow Characteristics on a Three-Lane Rural Highway in Finland: Results from Empirical Studies and Simulations

1997 ◽  
Vol 1572 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Åsa Enberg ◽  
Matti Pursula
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Optimum Length ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Traffic Flow Characteristics ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Rural Highway

The traffic-flow characteristics on an experimental, 20-km-long three-lane highway section in Finland were studied. The sections of highway that have a separate passing lane consist of three lanes. The central lane is assigned alternately to each direction as a passing lane with a length of 1.05 to 1.70 km. The lengths of the no-overtaking zones between successive passing lanes are 1.5 to 4.0 km. The traffic-flow characteristics on the three-lane highway have been observed by comprehensive before-and-after field studies and complementary simulations. Because it was possible to use passing lanes, the number of overtakings on the three-lane highway was remarkably higher than on the former two-lane highway. The overall average travel speeds were slightly higher, and the speed decreased a little more slowly with increasing flow on the three-lane compared with the two-lane highway. Overall platooning and mean platoon lengths decreased as a result of platoon dispersal on the passing lanes. The speeds used in the passing lanes were clearly higher than in the basic lanes. According to the simulation results, the optimum length for a single passing lane was between 0.5 and 2.5 km depending on flow rate and measure of effectiveness. For the actual three-lane highway conditions, passing lanes 1.0 to 1.5 km long seemed to bring the most benefits.

scholarly journals S100A9 is a functional effector of infarct wall thinning after myocardial infarction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Upendra Chalise ◽  
Mediha Becirovic-Agic ◽  
Michael J Daseke II ◽  
Shelby R. Konfrst ◽  
Jocelyn R. Rodriguez-Paar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Left Ventricle ◽  
Neutrophil Infiltration ◽  
Vehicle Control ◽  
Macrophage Infiltration ◽  
Secreted Protein ◽  
Cardiac Physiology ◽  
Wall Thinning ◽  
Saline Vehicle ◽  
Lower Ejection Fraction

Neutrophils infiltrate into the left ventricle (LV) early after myocardial infarction (MI) and launch a pro-inflammatory response. Along with neutrophil infiltration, LV wall thinning due to cardiomyocyte necrosis also peaks at day 1 in the mouse model of MI. To understand the correlation, we examined a previously published dataset that included day 0 (n=10) and MI day 1 (n=10) neutrophil proteome and echocardiography assessments. Out of 123 proteins, 4 proteins positively correlated with the infarct wall thinning index (1/wall thickness): histone 1.2 (r=0.62, p=0.004), S100A9 (r=0.60, p=0.005), histone 3.1 (r=0.55, p=0.01), and fibrinogen (r=0.47, p=0.04). As S100A9 was the highest ranked secreted protein, we hypothesized that S100A9 is a functional effector of infarct wall thinning. We exogenously administered S100A8/A9 at the time of MI to mice (C57BL/6J, male, 3-6 months of age, n=7M (D1), and n=5M (D3)) and compared to saline vehicle control treated mice (n=6M (D1) and n=6M (D3)) at MI days 1 and 3. At MI day 3, the S100A8/A9 group showed a 22% increase in the wall thinning index compared to saline (p=0.02), along with higher dilation and lower ejection fraction. The decline in cardiac physiology occurred subsequent to increased neutrophil and macrophage infiltration at MI day 1 and increased macrophage infiltration at D3. Our results reveal that S100A9 is a functional effector of infarct wall thinning.

Sethoxydim and Crop Oil Concentrate Increase Pyridate Phytotoxicity in Transplanted Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin R. Bellinder ◽  
Jonathan Kirkwyland ◽  
Russell W. Wallace ◽  
Marija Arsenovic
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Oleracea ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Crop Injury ◽  
Before And After

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted in 1991 and 1992 to determine the potential for interaction among pyridate (0.5, 1.0 kg ai/ha), sethoxydim (0.22 kg ai/ha), and crop oil concentrate (COC) (1.25% v/v) applied alone or in two- and three-way combinations to transplanted cabbage. Additionally, the effect of applying sethoxydim and COC 1 and 2 d before and after application of pyridate was investigated. In greenhouse-grown cabbage, injury increased twofold and dry weight was reduced 15% when pyridate dose was doubled. Sethoxydim increased pyridate injury significantly, reducing dry weight 31%. When COC was applied with pyridate, injury increased and dry weight decreased linearly. Despite substantial crop injury 7 d after treatment with pyridate alone, pyridate + sethoxydim, and pyridate + COC, yields of field-grown cabbage were reduced significantly in 1 yr only when the three materials were combined. Pyridate injury decreased as time between sethoxydim + COC applications, before and after pyridate was applied, increased.

Renal function and plasma levels of arginine vasotocin during free flight in pigeons.

1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (24) ◽  
pp. 3203-3211 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Giladi ◽  
D L Goldstein ◽  
B Pinshow ◽  
R Gerstberger
Keyword(s):  
Glomerular Filtration ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Control Level ◽  
Urine Osmolality ◽  
Urine Flow ◽  
Arginine Vasotocin ◽  
Free Flight ◽  
Water Reabsorption ◽  
Before And After

We examined urinary water loss and plasma levels of arginine vasotocin (AVT) in free-flying, tippler pigeons trained to fly continuously for up to 5 h. First, we used [3H]polyethyleneglycol ([3H]PEG) as a glomerular filtration marker by implanting an osmotic minipump into each bird. In two flights (10 birds in winter at an ambient temperature of 13-15 degrees C and seven in summer at 23 degrees C), we measured pre-flight (hydrated, resting control birds) and post-flight [3H]PEG activity and osmolality in blood and ureteral urine. For comparison, we measured these variables in 10 birds in winter before and after controlled dehydration (24 h at 25 or 30 degrees C). Second, we measured plasma levels of AVT in 6-8 birds before and immediately after each of three different summer flights. Urine osmolality increased significantly by up to three times the control level in both post-flight and dehydrated pigeons; urine:plasma osmolality ratios did not exceed 2. Compared with controls, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly lower after flight in summer, but did not change in either post-flight or dehydrated winter pigeons. In winter, mean post-flight urine flow rate (UFR) decreased significantly to less than half the control level, while in summer, post-flight UFR did not differ from control levels. In general, mean filtered water reabsorption (FrH2O) increased from 95 % in controls to 98 % in post-flight and dehydrated birds. Plasma levels of AVT increased after flight to between three and eight times the preflight levels. The data from this first study of kidney function during flight are consistent with previous studies of dehydration in birds and exercise in mammals in which both increased FrH2O and decreased GFR contribute to renal conservation of water.

Maintenance of primary African green monkey kidney (pAGMK) and Vero cells at room temperature (25°). A system for virus isolation in community practice

1974 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius A. A. Mingle ◽  
J. C. N. Westwood
Keyword(s):  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Adenovirus Type ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
Community Practice ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
African Green Monkey Kidney ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Simplex Virus

Primary AGMK cells and Vero cells were maintained at room temperature (25 °C) and their sensitivities tested using echovirus type 9, coxsackie B4 and B5, herpes simplex virus, vaccinia, influenza A2/Hong Kong, and adenovirus type 7. pAGMK maintained for 4 days at room temperature was found to be less sensitive to herpes simplex and coxsackie B4 whilst maintenance of Vero cells at room temperature did not affect the sensitivity. Susceptibility of these two cell cultures to prototype viruses indicated that pAGMK was more susceptible.pAGMK cells were held at room temperature both before and after inoculation with viruses and incubated at 37 °C. Cytopathic effect (CPE) was noticed in these cells earlier after switching them to 37 °C incubation than when refrigerated suspensions of the viruses were inoculated into fresh cultures that had not been subjected to room temperature incubation. The usefulness of such a procedure in field studies of virus infections is discussed.

scholarly journals Failure of hand disinfection with frequent hand washing: a need for prolonged field studies

1977 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juhani Ojajärvi ◽  
Paavo Mäkelä ◽  
Ilari Rantasalo
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Bacterial Colony ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Disinfection Methods ◽  
Skin Bacteria ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Hospital Wards

SUMMARYIn a prolonged field trial a 4% chlorhexidine digluconate detergent scrub (HibiscrubR), that had earlier proved to be an effective hand disinfectant, was studied in hospital wards. Finger tips were found to harbour more bacteria than the hand dorsum and the samples collected from them yielded more information on the bacteriological and dermatological effects of hand disinfectants in practice.In wards with a relatively low hand-washing frequency (less than 20 times in 8 hours) the bacteriological results resembled those obtained by in-use tests with volunteers. In the neonatal unit where the hand washing frequency was remarkably high, even occasionally over 100 times/8 h shift, an increase in the bacterial colony counts of the majority of the staff was recorded both before and after hand washing already after using the preparation for 1 week. Age, occupation and hand-washing frequency all correlated with the bacteriological results. Twenty-seven out of 37 persons complained of side effects such as wounds of finger tips and redness or heavy drying of the skin. Wounds, particularly on finger tips, resulted in the failure of disinfection. An increase in bacterial counts was sometimes noted without any dermatological or subjective changes. Drying of the skin was complained of less often when no increase in skin bacteria occurred.After the changeover of washing practice to a detergent followed by a rinse with spirit solution containing chlorhexidine and glycerol a decrease was recorded in the bacterial counts. It is concluded that more attention should be paid to long-term testing of hand washing and disinfection methods to ensure optimum final results in practice. It is obvious that the knowledge obtained from short time in-use testing cannot be applied to all conditions of use.

Observations on the Physical Properties of Sea-Ice at Hopedale, Labrador

ARCTIC ◽  
1958 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilford F. Weeks ◽  
Owen S. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Cambridge Research ◽  
Freezing Period ◽  
Before And After ◽  
General Physical

Preliminary results are reported of field studies 1955-56 by the U.S. Air Force Cambridge Research Center, the Hydrographic Office and SIPRE on the general physical properties of sea ice; methods of measurement are described. Characteristics of sea water during the freezing period are outlined: formation, structure, and salinity of the initial ice cover, formation and characteristics of infiltrated snow-ice, growth of the ice and influencing factors, density of the ice at various periods, and crack formation are discussed. Data on the salinity of sea ice formed during during wave action and that of sheet-ice, hourly averages of air and ice temperatures at various levels, snow and slush density and thickness, observed slush levels and theoretical water levels are shown. Salinity of ice before and after the slush layer froze, and that of deteriorating ice , salinity of ice vs. ice thickness, thickness of ice versus degree-days, the density of the ice, and measured ice densities vs. theoretical density of air-free sea ice at -15 C are figured and discussed. The orientation of sea ice c-axes and of infiltrated snow-ice c-axes are diagrammed.--From SIPRE.

Recovery of Benthic Macrofauna from Chronic Pollution in the Sea Area off a Refinery Plant, Southwest Finland

1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 766-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Leppäkoski ◽  
L. S. Lindström
Keyword(s):  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Pollution Abatement ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Lethal Effect ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Oil Refinery ◽  
Corophium Volutator ◽  
Chironomus Plumosus ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sea Area

Quantitative field studies (density, wet weight biomass, Shannon diversity, species richness, evenness of distribution) on benthic sublittoral macrofauna were made in the vicinity of an oil refinery in southwest Finland before and after the installation of a new wastewater treatment plant that reduced the amount of oil and liquid effluents by ca. 90–95%. The number of species and species diversity increased during the 1st and 2nd yr after pollution abatement at the stations close to the former outflows. The amphipods Pontoporeia affinis, Corophium volutator, and C. lacustre, midge larvae of the Chironomus plumosus-group, the oligochaete Tubifex costatus, the polychaetes Harmothoe sarsi and Polydora redeki, and the bivalve Cardium sp. were the most successful recolonizers of the 23 taxa sampled. The strong lethal effect of oil-contaminated sediments upon Chironomus plumosus larvae decreased markedly in laboratory experiments (LT50 was estimated at 7 d in 1973 and at 28 d in 1974; in 1975, 80–90% of the larvae survived for 28 d). Details of postabatement succession are discussed. The results demonstrate not only the recovery from chronic oil pollution but also the degree of ecological damage caused by previous continuous discharge of oil. Key words: Baltic Sea, Chironomus plumosus, macrobenthos, oil pollution, pollution abatement, recolonization, sediment biotests

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