258 research outputs found
Global Production Increased by Spatial Heterogeneity in a Population Dynamics Model
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity are often described as important factors having a strong impact on biodiversity. The effect of heterogeneity is in most cases analyzed by the response of biotic interactions such as competition of predation. It may also modify intrinsic population properties such as growth rate. Most of the studies are theoretic since it is often difficult to manipulate spatial heterogeneity in practice. Despite the large number of studies dealing with this topics, it is still difficult to understand how the heterogeneity affects populations dynamics. On the basis of a very simple model, this paper aims to explicitly provide a simple mechanism which can explain why spatial heterogeneity may be a favorable factor for production.We consider a two patch model and a logistic growth is assumed on each patch. A general condition on the migration rates and the local subpopulation growth rates is provided under which the total carrying capacity is higher than the sum of the local carrying capacities, which is not intuitive. As we illustrate, this result is robust under stochastic perturbations
The HIF Signaling Pathway in Osteoblasts Directly Modulates Erythropoiesis through the Production of EPO
SummaryOsteoblasts are an important component of the hematopoietic microenvironment in bone. However, the mechanisms by which osteoblasts control hematopoiesis remain unknown. We show that augmented HIF signaling in osteoprogenitors results in HSC niche expansion associated with selective expansion of the erythroid lineage. Increased red blood cell production occurred in an EPO-dependent manner with increased EPO expression in bone and suppressed EPO expression in the kidney. In contrast, inactivation of HIF in osteoprogenitors reduced EPO expression in bone. Importantly, augmented HIF activity in osteoprogenitors protected mice from stress-induced anemia. Pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of prolyl hydroxylases1/2/3 in osteoprogenitors elevated EPO expression in bone and increased hematocrit. These data reveal an unexpected role for osteoblasts in the production of EPO and modulation of erythropoiesis. Furthermore, these studies demonstrate a molecular role for osteoblastic PHD/VHL/HIF signaling that can be targeted to elevate both HSCs and erythroid progenitors in the local hematopoietic microenvironment.PaperCli
Kelp forest distribution in the Nordic region
Kelp forests are productive coastal ecosystems that provide a range of ecosystem services. Mapping the distribution and area occupied by kelp forests is a critical step to identify their ecosystem functions and services, including their role in the carbon cycle, and to detect changes in their distribution. We compiled quantitative data of the dominant genera Laminaria and Saccharina across the Nordic region, allowing us to separate kelp forests (areas with dense or moderately dense kelp coverage) from occurrences of single or few individuals. By fitting boosted regression trees to the compiled data, we modelled and predicted the distribution of kelp forests across the Nordic region. Despite the large scale of the analyses, the models captured well the kelps’ environmental affinities and predicted the presence of kelp forests with high accuracy. Dense kelp forests are found along the rocky shores of all the Nordic countries, except in the brackish Baltic Sea, with largest areas in Norway, Greenland and Iceland. The results of this study set the scene for future studies on the importance of kelp forests in the Nordic region, including their contribution to the marine carbon budget.Kelp forest distribution in the Nordic regionpublishedVersio
Oxygen-sensing PHDs regulate bone homeostasis through the modulation of osteoprotegerin
The bone microenvironment is composed of niches that house cells across variable oxygen tensions. However, the
contribution of oxygen gradients in regulating bone and blood homeostasis remains unknown. Here, we generated
mice with either single or combined genetic inactivation of the critical oxygen-sensing prolyl hydroxylase (PHD)
enzymes (PHD1–3) in osteoprogenitors. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) activation associated with Phd2 and Phd3
inactivation drove bone accumulation by modulating osteoblastic/osteoclastic cross-talk through the direct regulation
of osteoprotegerin (OPG). In contrast, combined inactivation of Phd1, Phd2, and Phd3 resulted in extreme HIF
signaling, leading to polycythemia and excessive bone accumulation by overstimulating angiogenic–osteogenic
coupling. Wealso demonstrate that genetic ablation of Phd2 and Phd3 was sufficient to protect ovariectomized mice
against bone loss without disrupting hematopoietic homeostasis. Importantly,we identify OPG as a HIF target gene
capable of directing osteoblast-mediated osteoclastogenesis to regulate bone homeostasis. Here, we show that coordinated
activation of specific PHD isoforms fine-tunes the osteoblastic response to hypoxia, thereby directing two
important aspects of bone physiology: cross-talk between osteoblasts and osteoclasts and angiogenic–osteogenic
coupling
Renormalized kinetic theory of classical fluids in and out of equilibrium
We present a theory for the construction of renormalized kinetic equations to
describe the dynamics of classical systems of particles in or out of
equilibrium. A closed, self-consistent set of evolution equations is derived
for the single-particle phase-space distribution function , the correlation
function , the retarded and advanced density response
functions to an external potential , and
the associated memory functions . The basis of the theory is an
effective action functional of external potentials that
contains all information about the dynamical properties of the system. In
particular, its functional derivatives generate successively the
single-particle phase-space density and all the correlation and density
response functions, which are coupled through an infinite hierarchy of
evolution equations. Traditional renormalization techniques are then used to
perform the closure of the hierarchy through memory functions. The latter
satisfy functional equations that can be used to devise systematic
approximations. The present formulation can be equally regarded as (i) a
generalization to dynamical problems of the density functional theory of fluids
in equilibrium and (ii) as the classical mechanical counterpart of the theory
of non-equilibrium Green's functions in quantum field theory. It unifies and
encompasses previous results for classical Hamiltonian systems with any initial
conditions. For equilibrium states, the theory reduces to the equilibrium
memory function approach. For non-equilibrium fluids, popular closures (e.g.
Landau, Boltzmann, Lenard-Balescu) are simply recovered and we discuss the
correspondence with the seminal approaches of Martin-Siggia-Rose and of
Rose.and we discuss the correspondence with the seminal approaches of
Martin-Siggia-Rose and of Rose.Comment: 63 pages, 10 figure
Experiência em sala de aula: evidência empírica da complexidade no ensino e aprendizagem de LE
Encoding and retrieval in a CA1 microcircuit model of the hippocampus
Recent years have witnessed a dramatic accumulation of
knowledge about the morphological, physiological and molecular characteristics,
as well as connectivity and synaptic properties of neurons in
the mammalian hippocampus. Despite these advances, very little insight
has been gained into the computational function of the different neuronal
classes; in particular, the role of the various inhibitory interneurons in
encoding and retrieval of information remains elusive. Mathematical and
computational models of microcircuits play an instrumental role in exploring
microcircuit functions and facilitate the dissection of operations
performed by diverse inhibitory interneurons. A model of the CA1 microcircuitry
is presented using biophysical representations of its major cell
types: pyramidal, basket, axo-axonic, bistratified and oriens lacunosummoleculare
cells. Computer simulations explore the biophysical mechanisms
by which encoding and retrieval of spatio-temporal input patterns
are achieved by the CA1 microcircuitry. The model proposes functional
roles for the different classes of inhibitory interneurons in the encoding
and retrieval cycles
Kaon Production and Kaon to Pion Ratio in Au+Au Collisions at \snn=130 GeV
Mid-rapidity transverse mass spectra and multiplicity densities of charged
and neutral kaons are reported for Au+Au collisions at \snn=130 GeV at RHIC.
The spectra are exponential in transverse mass, with an inverse slope of about
280 MeV in central collisions. The multiplicity densities for these particles
scale with the negative hadron pseudo-rapidity density. The charged kaon to
pion ratios are and
for the most central collisions. The ratio is lower than the same
ratio observed at the SPS while the is higher than the SPS result.
Both ratios are enhanced by about 50% relative to p+p and +p
collision data at similar energies.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
Uncertainty of simulated groundwater recharge at different global warming levels: a global-scale multi-model ensemble study
Billions of people rely on groundwater as being an accessible source of drinking water and for irrigation, especially in times of drought. Its importance will likely increase with a changing climate. It is still unclear, however, how climate change will impact groundwater systems globally and, thus, the availability of this vital resource. Groundwater recharge is an important indicator for groundwater availability, but it is a water flux that is difficult to estimate as uncertainties in the water balance accumulate, leading to possibly large errors in particular in dry regions. This study investigates uncertainties in groundwater recharge projections using a multi-model ensemble of eight global hydrological models (GHMs) that are driven by the bias-adjusted output of four global circulation models (GCMs). Pre-industrial and current groundwater recharge values are compared with recharge for different global warming (GW) levels as a result of three representative concentration pathways (RCPs). Results suggest that projected changes strongly vary among the different GHM–GCM combinations, and statistically significant changes are only computed for a few regions of the world. Statistically significant GWR increases are projected for northern Europe and some parts of the Arctic, East Africa, and India. Statistically significant decreases are simulated in southern Chile, parts of Brazil, central USA, the Mediterranean, and southeastern China. In some regions, reversals of groundwater recharge trends can be observed with global warming. Because most GHMs do not simulate the impact of changing atmospheric CO2 and climate on vegetation and, thus, evapotranspiration, we investigate how estimated changes in GWR are affected by the inclusion of these processes. In some regions, inclusion leads to differences in groundwater recharge changes of up to 100 mm per year. Most GHMs with active vegetation simulate less severe decreases in groundwater recharge than GHMs without active vegetation and, in some regions, even increases instead of decreases are simulated. However, in regions where GCMs predict decreases in precipitation and where groundwater availability is the most important, model agreement among GHMs with active vegetation is the lowest. Overall, large uncertainties in the model outcomes suggest that additional research on simulating groundwater processes in GHMs is necessary
Measurement of charm production at central rapidity in proton-proton collisions at TeV
The -differential production cross sections of the prompt (B
feed-down subtracted) charmed mesons D, D, and D in the rapidity
range , and for transverse momentum GeV/, were
measured in proton-proton collisions at TeV with the ALICE
detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis exploited the hadronic
decays DK, DK, DD, and their charge conjugates, and was performed on a
nb event sample collected in 2011 with a
minimum-bias trigger. The total charm production cross section at TeV and at 7 TeV was evaluated by extrapolating to the full phase space
the -differential production cross sections at TeV
and our previous measurements at TeV. The results were compared
to existing measurements and to perturbative-QCD calculations. The fraction of
cdbar D mesons produced in a vector state was also determined.Comment: 20 pages, 5 captioned figures, 4 tables, authors from page 15,
published version, figures at
http://aliceinfo.cern.ch/ArtSubmission/node/307
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