Climate Change and Modelling of Extreme Temperatures in Switzerland

This study models maximum temperatures in Switzerland monitored in twelve locations using the Generalised Extreme Value (GEV) distribution. The parameters of the GEV distribution are determined within a Bayesian framework. We find that the parameters of the underlying distribution underwent a substantial change in the beginning of the 1980s. This change is characterised by an increase both in the level and the variability. We assess the likelihood of a heat wave of the Summer of 2003 using the fitted GEV distribution by accounting for the presence of a structural break. The estimation results do suggest that the heat wave of 2003 appears not that statistically improbable event as it is generally accepted in the relevant literature.Climate change, GEV, Bayesian modelling, Great Alpine Heat Wave

Ectopic application of the repressive histone modification H3K9me2 establishes post-zygotic reproductive isolation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Hybrid seed lethality as a consequence of interspecies or interploidy hybridizations is a major mechanism of reproductive isolation in plants. This mechanism is manifested in the endosperm, a dosage-sensitive tissue supporting embryo growth. Deregulated expression of imprinted genes such as ADMETOS (ADM) underpin the interploidy hybridization barrier in Arabidopsis thaliana; however, the mechanisms of their action remained unknown. In this study, we show that ADM interacts with the AT hook domain protein AHL10 and the SET domain-containing SU (VAR) 3-9 homolog SUVH9 and ectopically recruits the heterochromatic mark H3K9me2 to AT-rich transposable elements (TEs), causing deregulated expression of neighboring genes. Several hybrid incompatibility genes identified in Drosophila encode for dosage-sensitive heterochromatin-interacting proteins, which has led to the suggestion that hybrid incompatibilities evolve as a consequence of interspecies divergence of selfish DNA elements and their regulation. Our data show that imbalance of dosage-sensitive chromatin regulators underpins the barrier to interploidy hybridization in Arabidopsis, suggesting that reproductive isolation as a consequence of epigenetic regulation of TEs is a conserved feature in animals and plants

Die neue Internetpräsenz des Masterstudiengangs Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaft der FH Köln

Für den 2009 neu eingerichteten berufsbegleitenden Masterstudiengang Bibliotheksund Informationswissenschaft (MALIS) der Fachhochschule Köln ist ein eigenständiger Webauftritt auf Basis des Content Management Systems Typo3 eingerichtet worden. Die neue Internetpräsenz zeichnet sich durch eine zielgruppenspezifische Aufbereitung vielfältiger Informationen rund um den Studiengang aus. Dies beinhaltet neben studienrelevanten Informationen zu Zulassungsbedingungen, Modulhandbuch und Prüfungsordnung etc. auch verschiedene informelle Bereiche wie z.B. eine Fotostrecke, persönliche Einschätzungen und Erfahrungsberichte von Studierenden und Absolventen sowie Bewertungen des MALIS-Studiengangs aus der Sicht einiger leitender Bibliotheksdirektoren.A new website has been implemented for the degree program Master in Library and Information Science (MALIS) which was newly established at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences in 2009. The independent website, based on the Typo3 content management system, features a variety of target-group-specific information on the degree program including study-related information on admission requirements, modules and examination regulations, etc. Additionally, various informal content such as a photo gallery and personal evaluations and opinions of graduates, students and library directors is available

Climate change and modelling of extreme temperatures in Switzerland

This study models maximum temperatures in Switzerland monitored in twelve locations using the generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution. The parameters of the GEV distribution are determined within a Bayesian framework. We find that the parameters of the underlying distribution underwent a substantial change in the beginning of the 1980s. This change is characterised by an increase both in the level and the variability. We assess the likelihood of the heat wave of the summer 2003 using the fitted GEV distribution by accounting for the presence of a structural break. The estimation results do suggest that the heat wave of 2003 is not that statistically improbable if an appropriate methodology is used for dealing with nonstationarit

Semantic Segmentation for Posidonia Oceanica Coverage Estimation

One method of assessing the ecological status of seagrass is the analysis of videographic images for variables such as total aerial cover. Georeferenced images can be collected and matched by location over time, and any changes in coverage can be compared statistically to the expected null hypothesis. Since the manual analysis of large datasets approaching over a million images is not feasible, automated methods are necessary. Because of the wide variation in underwater conditions affecting light transmission and reflection, including biological conditions, deep learning methods are necessary to distinguish seagrass from non-seagrass portions of images. Using deep semantic segmentation, we evaluated several deep neural network architectures, and found that the best performer is the DeepLabv3Plus network, at close to 88% (intersection over union). We conclude that the deep learning method is more accurate and many times faster than human annotation. This method can now be used for scoring of large image datasets for seagrass discrimination and cover estimates. Our code is available on GitHub: https://enviewfulda.github.io/LookingForSeagrassSematicSegmentatio

Semantic Segmentation for Posidonia Oceanica Coverage Estimation

One method of assessing the ecological status of seagrass is the analysis of videographic images for variables such as total aerial cover. Georeferenced images can be collected and matched by location over time, and any changes in coverage can be compared statistically to the expected null hypothesis. Since the manual analysis of large datasets approaching over a million images is not feasible, automated methods are necessary. Because of the wide variation in underwater conditions affecting light transmission and reflection, including biological conditions, deep learning methods are necessary to distinguish seagrass from non-seagrass portions of images. Using deep semantic segmentation, we evaluated several deep neural network architectures, and found that the best performer is the DeepLabv3Plus network, at close to 88% (intersection over union). We conclude that the deep learning method is more accurate and many times faster than human annotation. This method can now be used for scoring of large image datasets for seagrass discrimination and cover estimates. Our code is available on GitHub: https://enviewfulda.github.io/LookingForSeagrassSematicSegmentatio

GENERACIÓN Y EVALUACIÓN DE AMBIENTES DE APRENDIZAJE PARA LA FORMACIÓN DE MAESTROS A TRAVÉS DE ESTUDIOS DE CASOS Y SIMULACIONES DE INNOVACIONES PEDAGÓGICAS EN CIENCIAS NATURALES

This project has as aim to adapt innovative significant pedagogical experiences for the teaching of developed sciences in scholar institutions in Bogotá for generating, implementing and evaluating a curricular program as a workshop in service course. The workshop course is sustained methodologically in the designed and development of learning environment based on case study of pedagogical and learning innovation from problematic situations which are key in the environment the didactic of sciences: contemporary epistemology of sciences, objectives for the teaching of sciences, representational re-description, students’ project of investigations, and integration of the ICTs in the teaching-learning process.El presente proyecto tiene por objetivo adaptar experiencias pedagógicas innovadoras significativas para la enseñanza de las ciencias desarrolladas en instituciones escolares de Bogotá para generar, implementar y evaluar un programa curricular tipo curso-taller semipresencial. El curso taller se fundamenta metodológicamente en el diseño y desarrollo de ambientes de aprendizaje basados en estudios de casos de innovaciones pedagógicas y el aprendizaje a partir de situaciones problémicas ejemplares de la cada innovación y que son claves en el ámbito de la didáctica de las ciencias: epistemología contemporánea de las ciencias, objetivos de la enseñanza de las ciencias, redescripción representacional, proyectos de investigación de los estudiantes, integración de TICs a los procesos de enseñanza/aprendizaje. A fin de diseñar los ambientes de aprendizaje los investigadores trabajan con un selecto grupo de maestros en el diseño de guías de aprendizaje que integran actividades on-line previas y posteriores a la sesión presencial las cuales incluyen cuestionarios de elicitación de ideas previas, artículos de revistas de didáctica de las ciencias on-line, materiales creados por los propios maestros, etc

Stellungnahme zur Steuerreform 1999/2000/2002

Die von der Regierungskoalition vorgelegten Gesetzesentwürfe zur Unternehmenssteuerreform 1999, 2000 und 2002 wurden vom Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung (ZEW) und Lehrstuhl Prof. Jacobs hinsicht-lich ihrer ökonomischen Auswirkungen auf den Unternehmenssektor sowie einiger steuersystematischer Aspekte untersucht. Dazu wurden die Effekte der wesentlichen Steueränderungen auf die Steuerbelastung von Unterneh-men mit dem European Tax Analyzer berechnet, der am ZEW in Kooperation mit Prof. Jacobs, Universität Mannheim entwickelt wurde. Dabei zeigte sich, dass von der ersten Stufe der Reformmaßnahmen tendenziell eine leichte Verschlechterung der unternehmerischen Rahmenbedingungen ausgehen dürfte. Demgegenüber stellte sich für die Stufe im Jahr 2002 eine Verbesserung der Situation heraus

German pig farmers' perceived agency under different nitrogen policies

Agricultural nitrogen (N) emissions represent the most substantial N source in Germany. Even though multiple policies have been introduced at the EU and German national level to reduce agriculturally sourced reactive Nitrogen (N), Germany is exceeding the target of the government’s national sustainability strategy to limit N surpluses. To form a better view of the current N policy challenges, this paper seeks to identify what constrains family-managed pig farmers in Germany from adopting N-reduced farming practices. Our study applies a practice-based approach and reconstructs farmers’ practice and individual perception of the possible capability to change practices (perceived agency) through problem-centred interviews. The study identifies different ideal types of farmers based on their reported farming practices and perceived agency: The first type feeling overburdened and weary of the current requirements, the second type acting based on routine and incremental improvement efforts, and the third type adapting early and inventing. However, regarding the perceived agency to adopt N-reduced farming practices our results show that all three farmer types report only low to little agency. Based on the findings, the study identifies type-specific and type-spanning constraining factors. To resolve farmers’ perceived contradictions and inconsistencies which result in the unwillingness to accept further N reduction measures, we argue that policies need to address these factors. To enhance long-term paths for sustainable N-reduced farming practices, this study concludes that N policies need to shift towards outcome-oriented policies to create a collective and holistic understanding of the desired outcome while considering their embeddedness into regional and individual contexts.Wellcome Trust and The Rockefeller FoundationPeer Reviewe