Adipogenesis and ectopic lipid accumulation during aging have a great impact on the aging process and the pathogenesis of chronic diseases with age. However, at present, information on the age-related molecular changes in lipid redistribution patterns and their potential nutritional interventions is sparse. We investigated the mechanism underlying age-related lipid redistribution and its modulation using 5-, 17-, and 24-month-old male Fischer 344 rats fed ad libitum (AL) or a 3-week-long CR (40% less than AL) diet. Results revealed that the activities of adipogenic transcription factors were decreased in the white adipose tissue (WAT) of aged AL rats. In contrast, the skeletal muscle of aged AL rats showed increased fat accumulation through decreased carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 activity, which was blunted by short-term CR. This study suggests an age-related shift in lipid distribution by reducing the adipogenesis of WAT while increasing intramyocellular lipid accumulation, and that CR can modulate age-related adipogenesis and ectopic lipid accumulation.

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Les chélates de Gd sont largement utilisés en tant qu’agents de contraste en imagerie par résonance magnétique. En 2015, un lien a été établi entre l’observation d’hypersignaux T1 de certaines structures cérébrales et le nombre d’administrations préalables de ces chélates de Gd reçues par les patients. Cette observation fortuite pose la question de la tolérance à long-terme de ces molécules. L’ion Gd³⁺ ayant un rayon ionique très proche de celui du Ca²⁺, il interfère avec de nombreux processus biologiques Ca²⁺-dépendants. Sa chélation par un ligand améliore considérablement sa tolérance. Les chélates de Gd sont répartis en 2 classes : macrocycliques et linéaires, différant par leur stabilité thermodynamique et donc leur tendance à se dissocier. Il est classiquement admis que les chélates de Gd ne traversent pas la barrière hémato-encéphalique saine. L’observation de ces hypersignaux au niveau du noyau dentelé du cervelet, du globus pallidus et parfois d’autres structures, remet en cause ce postulat.Les travaux de cette thèse visent à étudier le mécanisme d’accumulation du Gd dans le système nerveux central (voies de passage, localisations, spéciation du Gd accumulé). Les potentiels effets neurotoxiques associés à la présence de Gd dans le cerveau ont aussi été recherchés.Nous avons mis en évidence chez le Rat que l’accumulation cérébrale est d’autant plus importante que la stabilité thermodynamique du chélate de Gd est faible, confirmant les observations cliniques. Les hypersignaux T1 sont en effet liés à des injections répétées de chélates linéaires de Gd. Nous avons aussi établi qu’une insuffisance rénale modérée potentialise la capture cérébrale de Gd dans le cas d’un chélate de Gd linéaire. Nous avons observé que les structures cérébrales accumulent d’autant plus de Gd qu’elles sont riches en fer endogène. Une augmentation de la zincurie, après administration de chélates de Gd linéaires, a également été observée, suggérant un phénomène de transmétallation.La combinaison des techniques de fluorescence X (XRF), de microscopie électronique en transmission (TEM) et du NanoSIMS, a permis l’observation des dépôts de Gd à différentes échelles et sous différentes formes. Cela a permis de documenter les voies de passage du Gd, le rôle des métaux endogènes et du phosphore. L’analyse XRF a permis d’observer qu’au sein des noyaux cérébelleux profonds du Rat, la majorité du Gd est accumulée sous la forme de structures allongées et ramifiées. Ces structures pourraient être des vaisseaux sanguins. Le Gd serait accumulé dans l’espace périvasculaire. En TEM, des dépôts insolubles de Gd ont été observés dans les lames basales de vaisseaux, dans l’interstitium cérébelleux, et dans l’espace périvasculaire. Ces dépôts à l’apparence épineuse sont riches en phosphore, suggérant des dépôts de GdPO₄. Du Gd et du phosphore ont également été identifiés dans des cellules gliales, au sein de pigments intracellulaires de lipofuscine. Aucun dépôt de Gd n’a été trouvé chez des rats traités par un chélate de Gd macrocyclique.L’hypothèse mécanistique établie consiste en l’accès précoce des chélates de Gd au liquide céphalo-rachidien (LCR), puis leur diffusion passive dans le parenchyme proche des ventricules cérébraux, à travers l’épendyme. Arrivés dans des zones riches en métaux endogènes et/ou en phosphore, leschélates de Gd les moins stables thermodynamiquement se dissocieraient, le Gd se liant à des macromolécules endogènes, ou précipitant. La circulation du LCR le long des artérioles pénétrantes piègerait également du Gd au niveau périvasculaire. Les chélates de Gd intacts seraient éliminés par le système glymphatique périvasculaire ou « drainage périartériel intrapariétal ». On retrouve aussi du Gd probablement dissocié à ce niveau.Hormis une hypoactivité, non spécifique, les études neurocomportementales, histopathologiques et neurochimiques menées chez le Rat n’ont pas permis de mettre en évidence une toxicité avérée, même à des doses élevées. / Gd chelates are widely used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. In 2015, the finding of T1 hyperintensities in brain structures was associated with the prior administrations of these agents in patients. This observation raised the question of the long-term tolerance of these molecules. The Gd³⁺ ionic radius is very close to that of Ca²⁺, and therefore this lanthanide interferes with numerous Ca²⁺-dependent biological processes. Its chelation by a ligand considerably improves its tolerance. Gd chelates are categorized into 2 classes: macrocylic and linear agents, differing in their thermodynamic stabilities, and therefore in their ability to dissociate. It is classically admitted that Gd chelates do not cross the healthy blood-brain-barrier. The observation of these hyperintensities, in the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum, the globus pallidus, and sometimes other structures, questioned this assumption.This thesis aimed to study the mechanism of Gd accumulation in the central nervous system: access pathways, tissue and subcellular location, Gd speciation). Potential neuro-toxicological effects associated with long term Gd presence in the brain were also researched.Using a rat model, we evidenced that the lower the thermodynamic stability of Gd chelates, the greater the cerebral Gd concertation was, thus confirming clinical observations. T1 hyperintensities exclusively appeared following administrations of linear Gd chelates. We also established that moderate renal failure potentiates Gd brain uptake in the case of linear Gd chelate. We also observed that brain structures accumulate even more Gd that their endogenous Fe concentration is high. Administration of linear Gd chelates resulted in an increased zincuria. Gadolinium vs. Zn transmetalation may be responsible for this effect.The combination of X fluorescence, transmission electronic microscopy, and NanoSIMS, showed Gd deposits at various scales and in various forms. It allowed us to document Gd pathways, and the role of endogenous metals and phosphorus in this phenomenon. X fluorescence analysis depicted, in rat deep cerebellar nuclei, that the majority of Gd was accumulated in the form of elongated and ramified structures, believed to be blood vessels where Gd would be retained in the perivascular area. By means of electron microscopy in rats, Gd insoluble deposits were observed in basal lamina of vessels, in cerebellar interstitium, and in the perivascular space. These Gd deposits, of spiny aspect, were rich in phosphorus, thus suggesting the presence of GdPO₄. Co-presence of Gd and phosphorous was also identified into glial cells, accumulated in intracellular lipofuscine pigments. No Gd deposits were found in rats treated with a macrocyclic Gd chelate.The established mechanistic hypothesis consists in the early access of Gd chelates to cerebrospinal fluid, followed by their passive diffusion into the parenchyma close to cerebral ventricles, through the ependyma. Encountering areas rich in endogenous metals and/or phosphorus, the less thermodynamically stable Gd chelates would dissociate, and Gd would bind endogenous macromolecules, or precipitate. Cerebrospinal fluid circulation along penetrating arterioles would also trap Gd at the perivascular level. Intact Gd chelates would be eliminated through perivascular glymphatic pathway, or “intramural periarterial drainage”, where probably dissociated Gd is also found.Except a non-specific hypoactivity, neurobehavioural, histopathological and neurochemical studies performed in rats did not demonstrate any obvious neurotoxicity, even at high doses.

Living shorelines are designed to address coastal erosion and their use is encouraged over that of hard structures such as sea walls and bulkheads because they provide habitat, improve water quality and stabilize shorelines. Objectives of this study were to: (i) Compare soil Nitrogen [N], Phosphorus [P], Organic Carbon [OC], organic matter (SOM) and soil bulk density between living, hardened and natural shoreline to determine if soil present within living shorelines is comprised of higher SOM and lower bulk density, that encourage marsh growth, as compared to hardened shorelines. (ii) Use an experimental mesocosm to test the effect of shoreline substrate types (living vs hardened vs natural) and nitrogen loading (at four concentration 0, 12, 24, 36 ml) on the growth of Spartina alterniflora. No previous study has documented the growth of Spartina in response to inorganic N loading at various shoreline substrate types. My results show living shoreline has significantly lower soil bulk density [F 2, 138 = 10.79, p <0.01] and higher SOM content than hardened shoreline [F 2, 138 = 10.26, p <0.01]. Combinations of N addition decreased plant’s root-shoot ratio and resulted in increased dry shoot weight. These results indicate that living shoreline is capable of trapping sediments within the nearshore environment, contributing to vertical marsh accretion by accumulation of organic matter, in the face of sea level rise. Findings from this research provide insights to local government, planners, developers and consultants on the benefits of living shoreline structures for the purpose of best shoreline management practice.

I takt med stigande oljepriser har ett av Sveriges största odlingsföretag Svegro bestämt sig för att byta ut sitt nuvarande värmesystem. Svegro består idag av växthus på ca 50 000 m2 på Thorslunda gård, Färingsö. Uppvärmningen sker idag med hjälp av oljeeldning samt den värmeenergi som omvandlas från växthuslampor. Det nya värmesystemet kommer att använda sig av ett annat förbränningsalternativ än mineralolja. Detta kommer göra det möjligt för Svegro att sänka sina energikostnader och minska miljöpåverkan genom reducerat koldioxidutsläpp. Kraven som ställs är att det nya värmesystemet ska kunna integreras med det befintliga värmesystemet och samtidigt leva upp till dagens ekologiska krav. Målet med bytet av värmesystem är att sänka energiförsörjningskostnaderna men också att klara av framtida högre ställda krav och miljömålsättningar. För att avgränsa rapporten har tre olika förbränningsalternativ behandlats där alla passar bra med den nuvarande vattenburna värmelösningen. Alternativen består av bioolja, pellets och flis. För att bestämma det bästa alternativet har en jämförelsestudie mellan de olika bränslena gjorts där faktorer som investeringskostnader, miljöpåverkan och bränsleeffektivitet beaktats. Utifrån analyserna av resultaten i rapporten föreslås pellets som det bäst lämpade systemet för Svegros anläggning. Enligt livskostnadsanalysen i rapporten kommer det nya systemet att ha betalat av sig efter 1,5 år och efter det kommer besparingar på ca 5,5 miljoner kr göras per år jämfört med om det befintliga systemet skulle bevaras. Det nya bränslet kommer utöver ekonomiska besparingar även minska CO2-utsläppen med ca 2300 ton per år. Konsekvenserna av att välja pellets som förbränningsalternativ är att man måste kombinera pelletsförbränningen med en biooljeuppvärmning, detta för att växterna ska klara av att överleva extremt kalla vinterdagarna. / While the oil price continues to increase, one of Sweden’s largest indoor growing companies Svegro has decided to replace their existing heating system. Svegro is a large green house with an area of approximately 50 000 m2 and is located at Thorslunda gård, Färingsö.The heating system today uses mineral oil and the heat from assimilation lamps. The new system will be using an alternative combustion fuel to the expensive mineral oil. This will make it possible for Svegro to lower their energy costs and reduce their environmental effect by lowering the emissions of carbon oxide.The requirements are that the new heating system should be able to be integrated with the already existing system and at the same time live up to today´s ecological requirements. The goal of replacing the heating system is to reduce the energy costs but also to manage future demands and environmental ambitions. In order to define some limitations for the reports we have chosen three different combustion options where all alternatives fit with the present heating distribution. The combustion options are biological oil, wood pellets and wood chips. To determine the best option a comparison between the different fuels has been done considering factors such as investment costs, environmental impact and fuel efficiency.Based on the analyzed results we suggest that wood pellets will be the most suitable fuel for Svegros facility and heating system. According to the lifecycle cost the new system will have paid off itself after 1,5 years. The savings made each year from changing fuel will be approximately 5,5 million SEK per year compared if the oil still was used. The new fuel will in addition to the financial savings also reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by 2300 tons per year.The consequence of choosing wood pellets as combustion fuel is that you have to combine the pellet burning with biofuel combustion. The combination will make it possible for the plants to survive extremely cold weather conditions during the winter.

This master's thesis project investigates the impact of hydrophobicity and topology on dry and wet macroscopic particle accumulation on surfaces. The report begins by outlining the challenges associated with this phenomenon and the existing theories and methods used to study it, including adhesion, surface engineering, the Lotus effect, and humidity. The method chapter presents the case study of grass accumulation for robotic lawn mowing application and describes experiments conducted to simulate the accumulation of grass during robotic lawn mowing. These experiments explore two different phenomena: the accumulation of grass that is already stuck to a surface and the process by which grass initially sticks to a surface. Experiments have been done to change the hydrophobicity level of certain specimens and investigate how hydrophobicity and humidity affect the stickiness of grass when already accumulated on a surface. In addition, experiments are conducted by throwing grass towards surfaces with different hydrophobicity and topology to determine the influence of these variables on accumulation. Finally, a physical field test is conducted. The findings indicate that hydrophobicity up to 108,2° water contact angle has a low impact on both static and dynamic grass accumulation. Increased hydrophobicity does not tend to decrease grass accumulation, even showing increased accumulation in some experiments. Humidity and the wetness of the grass are more important factors. Experiments have shown that a textured surface can decrease the accumulation, showing significant results in a controlled environment. However, these results did not transfer over in a significant way to a real robotic lawn mowing situation.

An intensive sampling of all ant species encountered on 6 Hawaiian Islands: Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai took place between 1988 and 1996. Species presence and absence was recorded at each site. Using remote sensing, variables were added insitu and used throughout my analysis. Species accumulation curves suggest that sampling was comprehensive. There is a significant trend between island area and species richness which validates the Theory of Island Biogeography for invasive species. Islands were found to be significantly nested by area, order, and tourism. Cluster analysis shows a link between elevation, land-use and island, and species presence. Predictive models can be built to predict spread of particular ant species as they continue toward equilibrium.

[pt] Os reservatórios de Vigário e de Santana são parte da bacia do Paraíba do Sul que fornecem água para três hidroelétricas integradas do sistema de energia da Light, com uma capacidade de geração de energia de 612 MW. Considerando o aumento da demanda e do fornecimento de energia, a operação das hidroelétricas gera mudanças no perfil de ocupação do solo, com consequente impacto nas taxas de erosão. Como consequência, os parâmetros originais relacionados ao assoreamento do reservatório não são mais aplicáveis, resultando numa vida útil menor do que a prevista nos projetos originais. Dentro das alternativas que permitem recuperar dados sobre a variação da velocidade de sedimentação em escala anual, diversos estudos destacam o uso do 210Pb. Este trabalho discute o estudo de testemunhos retirados em diferentes pontos dos reservatórios de Santana e de Vigário. Os perfis de umidade qualificaram 4 testemunhos para serem analisados através da técnica do 210Pb empregando o modelo CRS. Os metais Cr e Zn apresentaram valores de concentração acima do seu valor de TEL, e podem estar causando algum efeito colateral na fauna e flora da região. A datação por 210Pb evidenciaram um aumento significativo das velocidades de sedimentação. O aumento observado nos testemunhos de Vigário foi superior ao verificado no testemunho de Santana. Foi observado um lento incremento na taxa de sedimentação do reservatório de Vigário até o final da década de 1990, já Santana apresentou aumentos e reduções ao longo dos anos, sugerindo que este seja mais susceptível a variações anuais. / [en] The Vigario and Santana reservoirs are part of the Paraiba do Sul basin which supply water to three hydroelectric plants integrated in Light s energy system, with a power generation capacity of 612 MW. Considering the increase in energy demand and supply, the operation of hydroelectric plants brings changes in the soil occupation profile, and consequently, impacts on the erosion rates. Under the circumstances, the original parameters related to the silting of the reservoir are no longer applicable, resulting in a shorter useful life than expected in the original projects. Among the alternatives for recovering historical data on the variation of the sedimentation velocity on an annual scale, several studies highlight the use 210Pb. This work discusses the study of samples taken from different regions of the Santana and Vigario reservoirs. The moisture profiles qualified 4 cores to be analyzed using the 210Pb technique using the CRS model. The metals Cr and Zn showed concentration values above their TEL value, and may be causing some side effect on the fauna and flora of the region. The 210Pb dating showed a significant increase in sedimentation velocities. The increase observed in the Vigario cores was higher than that observed in the Santana core. A slow increase in the sedimentation rate of the Vigario reservoir was observed until the end of the 1990s, while the Santana reservoir showed increases and decreases over the years, suggesting that Santana is more susceptible to annual variations.

[pt] Métodos de aprendizado de máquina vêm sendo bastante utilizados na área de mecânica dos sólidos devido ao grande volume de dados disponíveis na literatura. A motivação deste trabalho foi o estudo do acúmulo de deformação plástica na escala de grãos, pois o uso do aprendizado de máquina pode ser uma significativa contribuição para criar modelos capazes de prever o acúmulo de deformações. O objetivo deste trabalho foi aprimorar a previsão do acúmulo de deformação plástica propondo um novo método de previsão de acúmulo de deformações plásticas em contornos de grãos de um material policristalino, usando modelos de aprendizado de máquina. Este trabalho utilizou-se de dados experimentais da literatura para estruturar três bancos de dados, os que consideraram somente os contornos de grãos. Nas previsões foram utilizados os seguintes métodos: Decision Tree, Random Forest, Stochastic Gradient Descent, K-Nearest Neighbors, Gradient Boosting Regressor e Análise de Componentes Principais (PCA). Na avaliação dos modelos foram empregados os métodos de validação cruzada e reamostragem de Monte Carlo. As métricas de erro aplicadas foram o coeficiente de determinação (R2) e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (R). Os resultados apontaram que as previsões foram coerentes e de boa qualidade, melhorando os valores médios do coeficiente de Pearson em aproximadamente 30 por cento comparados aos valores da literatura. Para o R(2) a média de valores alcançada foi de 0.85. Conclui-se que o uso do método de aprendizado de máquina se mostra confiável na previsão do acúmulo de deformação plástica no contorno do grão de um material policristalino. / [en] Machine learning methods have been widely used in the area of solid mechanics due to the large volume of data available in the literature. The motivation for this work was the study of the accumulation of plastic strain at the grain scale. Because the use of machine learning can be a significant contribution to creating models capable of predicting the accumulation of deformation. The objective of this work was to improve the prediction of plastic strain accumulation by proposing a new method for predicting the accumulation of plastic strains in grain boundaries of a polycrystalline material, using machine learning models. This work uses experimental data from the literature to structure three databases, which only consider grain boundaries. The following methods were used in the predictions: Decision Tree, Random Forest, Stochastic Gradient Descent, K-Nearest Neighbors, Gradient Boosting Regressor, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Monte Carlo crossvalidation and resampling methods were used to evaluate the models. The error metrics applied were the coefficient of determination (R2) and the Pearson correlation coefficient (R). The results indicate that the predictions were coherent and of good quality, improving the average Pearson coefficient values by approximately 30 percent compared to literature values. For R(2), the average value achieved was 0.85. It is concluded that the use of the machine learning method proves to be reliable in predicting the accumulation of plastic strain at the grain boundary of a polycrystalline material.

Polygonum hydropiper L. was cultivated on alluvial soil (Pb = 2.6 mg/kg, dry weight) and Pb contaminated soil (Pb = 1,380 mg/kg dry weight) without and with amendment of 2 g organic fertilizer/kg soil and 2.5; 5.0; 10.0 g NPK fertilizer/1kg soil. After 45 days of cultivation, the growth in height and biomass of P. hydropiper in Pb contaminated soil without amendment of fertilizer was lower than that in alluvial soil, but the Pb content in the above-ground part of the P. hydropiper was higher. In the formula 4, on Pb contaminated soil (Pb = 1,380 mg/kg dry weight), when amending 2 g of microbiological organic fertilizer + 5 g NPK fertilizer per 1 kg of soil (with the total nutrients amended were: N = 0.25, P2O5= 0.52, K2O = 0.15, and organic matter = 0.21 g/kg soil), growth of P. hydropiper was optimal (its height and biomass were up to 244.0% and 284.9% in comparison to that of before experiment) and their Pb extraction potential was promoted to the highest level among the formulae used. The average level of Pb accumulated in the above-ground part of P. hydropiper cultivated at formula 4 was 1,098.3 mg/kg dry weight (DW) after 45 days of cultivation that was 1.6 time higher than the one of formula 2 without fertilizer amendment (687.8 mg/kg DW). The potential of Pb extracted and stored in the above-ground part of P. hydropiper cultivated at formula 4 after 45 days was 479.2 g/ha that was 2.85 time higher than the one of formula 2 without fertilizer amendment (168.02 g/ha). / Nghể răm Polygonum hydropiper L. được trồng theo 5 công thức trên đất phù sa không ô nhiễm chì (Pb = 2,6 mg/kg khô) và đất ô nhiễm chì (Pb = 1380 mg/kg khô)không bón phân và có bón phân với các liều lượng 2 g phân hữu cơ vi sinh/1 kg đất và 2,5; 5,0; 10,0 g phân NPK /1 kg đất. Sau 45 ngày thí nghiệm trồng cây, tăng trưởng về chiều cao và sinh khối của cây trên đất ô nhiễm Pb không bón phân thấp hơn trên đất phù sa, nhưng hàm lượng Pb trong phần trên mặt đất của cây cao hơn. Ở công thức (CT) 4, trên đất ô nhiễm chì (Pb = 1380 mg/kg khô) khi bón phân với liều lượng 2 g hữu cơ + 5 g NPK/1 kg đất (với tổng hàm lượng dinh dưỡng được bón là: N = 0,25, P2O5= 0,52, K2O = 0,15, và chất hữu cơ = 0,21 g/kg đất) thì tăng trưởng của câynghể răm đạt tối ưu (chiều cao và khối lượng đạt 244,0 % và 284, 9% so với trước thí nghiệm) và tiềm năng hút thu Pb của chúng cũng được thúc đẩy cao nhất trong số các công thức được sử dụng. Lượng Pb trung bình tích lũy trong phần trên mặt đất của nghể răm ở CT 4 đạt 1.098,3 mg/kg khô sau 45 ngày trồng, cao gấp 1,6 lần so với cây ở công thức 2 không bón phân (687,8 mg/kg khô). Khả năng loại bỏ Pb từ đất ô nhiễm của nghể răm khi được bón phân ở CT4 đạt 479,2 g/ha sau 45 ngày trồng, cao gấp 2,85 lần so với cây ở CT 2 không bón phân (168,02 g/ha).