University of Montpellier

About: University of Montpellier is a education organization based out in Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 26816 authors who have published 53843 publications receiving 1646905 citations. The organization is also known as: Université de Montpellier.

Insecticide Resistance and Dominance Levels

Abstract: Dominance has been assessed in different ways in insecticide resistance studies, based on three phenotypic traits: the insecticide concentration required to give a particular mortality (DLC), mortality at a particular insecticide dose (DML), and fitness in treated areas (DWT). We propose a general formula for estimating dominance on a scale of 0 to 1 (0 5 complete recessivity and 1 5 complete dominance). DLC ,D ML, and DWT are not directly related and their values depend on genetic background and environmental conditions. We also show that pest management strategies can have the consequence to increase DWT via the selection of dominance modifiers. Studies on resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins provide the ultimate example of the complexity of the definition of the concept of dominance. Almost all studies have focused on calculation of DLC, which provides little information about the efficiency of pest management programs. For instance, one assumption of the high dose/refuge strategy is that Bacillus thuringiensis resistance must be effec- tively recessive (i.e., DML must be close to zero). However, DWT, rather than DML, is relevant to the resistance management strategy. Therefore, we strongly suggest that the time has come to focus on fitness dominance levels in the presence and absence of insecticide.

Changes in Colour and Myoglobin of Minced Beef Meat Due to High Pressure Processing

Abstract: Minced beef meat was packaged under vacuum, air or oxygen, and pressurized at 10°C for 10 min. L* colour values increased significantly in the range 200–350 MPa, the meat becoming pink, while a* values decreased at 400–500 MPa, the meat becoming grey-brown. Simultaneously, total extractible myoglobin decreased in the range 200–500 MPa, while the proportion of metmyoglobin increased at the expense of oxymyoglobin at 400–500 MPa. Pressurization did not significantly increase the extractibility of heme iron by an acid solution. Packaging of meat under vacuum with an oxygen scavenger partly protected meat colour, since samples processed at 400 MPa became pink, without any change in a* value or metmyoglobin content. Blending chilled minced meat with NaNo 2 (and NaCl) 18 h before processing at 350–500 MPa afforded a similar protection. Cysteine, ascorbic acid, nicotinamide or nicotinic acid had no protective effects. Meat discoloration through pressure processing may result from (1) a whitening effect in the range 200–350 MPa, due to globin denaturation and/or to heme displacement or release, and (2) oxidation of ferrous myoglobin to ferric metmyoglobin, at or above 400 MPa. Only the latter phenomenon is prevented by total oxygen removal or prior formation of nitrosomyoglobin.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorder risk and symptoms.

Abstract: The current COVID-19 pandemic has created a global context likely to increase eating disorder (ED) risk and symptoms, decrease factors that protect against EDs, and exacerbate barriers to care. Three pathways exist by which this pandemic may exacerbate ED risk. One, the disruptions to daily routines and constraints to outdoor activities may increase weight and shape concerns, and negatively impact eating, exercise, and sleeping patterns, which may in turn increase ED risk and symptoms. Relatedly, the pandemic and accompanying social restrictions may deprive individuals of social support and adaptive coping strategies, thereby potentially elevating ED risk and symptoms by removing protective factors. Two, increased exposure to ED-specific or anxiety-provoking media, as well as increased reliance on video conferencing, may increase ED risk and symptoms. Three, fears of contagion may increase ED symptoms specifically related to health concerns, or by the pursuit of restrictive diets focused on increasing immunity. In addition, elevated rates of stress and negative affect due to the pandemic and social isolation may also contribute to increasing risk. Evaluating and assessing these factors are key to better understanding the impact of the pandemic on ED risk and recovery and to inform resource dissemination and targets.