349 research outputs found
The case for new rural centralities in agricultural enclaves: three scenarios for Muggiano
Agricultural enclaves represent for cities both a challenge, they have to deal with connectivity and development
issues, and an opportunity, they can be considered as resources for achieving major policy objectives such as better
environmental protection or increased local food production.
Among European metropolises, Milan’s case is quite original since it presents unique institutional arrangements and
chiefly its agricultural park (Parco Agricolo Sud Milano – PASM).
The territory of Muggiano is part of the PASM, at the fringe of the municipal territory, cut out from both the rest of
the city and the rest of the park, it is undergoing a slow decline both in its agricultural and urban functions.
Yet, field exploration revealed a more complex territory than expected, carrying a strong latent potential and
presenting different challenges than expected.
In a prospective effort, we elaborated 3 scenarios for the development of Muggiano: from a fully agricultural
production one to another extreme one, focusing on residential uses.
Our exploration led us to concluding that the “rural centrality” scenario, investing fully on agriculture but not only
for its productive function, and spatially balancing the development along a “backbone”, was the best option
Muggiano could go for
The case for new rural centralities in agricultural enclaves: three scenarios for Muggiano
Agricultural enclaves represent for cities both a challenge, they have to deal with connectivity and development
issues, and an opportunity, they can be considered as resources for achieving major policy objectives such as better
environmental protection or increased local food production.
Among European metropolises, Milan\u2019s case is quite original since it presents unique institutional arrangements and
chiefly its agricultural park (Parco Agricolo Sud Milano \u2013 PASM).
The territory of Muggiano is part of the PASM, at the fringe of the municipal territory, cut out from both the rest of
the city and the rest of the park, it is undergoing a slow decline both in its agricultural and urban functions.
Yet, field exploration revealed a more complex territory than expected, carrying a strong latent potential and
presenting different challenges than expected.
In a prospective effort, we elaborated 3 scenarios for the development of Muggiano: from a fully agricultural
production one to another extreme one, focusing on residential uses.
Our exploration led us to concluding that the \u201crural centrality\u201d scenario, investing fully on agriculture but not only
for its productive function, and spatially balancing the development along a \u201cbackbone\u201d, was the best option
Muggiano could go for
Correlation between Gamma-Ray bursts and Gravitational Waves
The cosmological origin of -ray bursts (GRBs) is now commonly
accepted and, according to several models for the central engine, GRB sources
should also emit at the same time gravitational waves bursts (GWBs). We have
performed two correlation searches between the data of the resonant
gravitational wave detector AURIGA and GRB arrival times collected in the BATSE
4B catalog. No correlation was found and an upper limit \bbox{} on the averaged amplitude of gravitational waves
associated with -ray bursts has been set for the first time.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Search for correlation between GRB's detected by BeppoSAX and gravitational wave detectors EXPLORER and NAUTILUS
Data obtained during five months of 2001 with the gravitational wave (GW)
detectors EXPLORER and NAUTILUS were studied in correlation with the gamma ray
burst data (GRB) obtained with the BeppoSAX satellite. During this period
BeppoSAX was the only GRB satellite in operation, while EXPLORER and NAUTILUS
were the only GW detectors in operation.
No correlation between the GW data and the GRB bursts was found. The
analysis, performed over 47 GRB's, excludes the presence of signals of
amplitude h >=1.2 * 10^{-18}, with 95 % probability, if we allow a time delay
between GW bursts and GRB within +-400 s, and h >= 6.5 * 10^{-19}, if the time
delay is within +- 5 s. The result is also provided in form of scaled
likelihood for unbiased interpretation and easier use for further analysis.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures. Latex file, compiled with cernik.cls (provided
in the package
Does Vesta Have Moons?
Previous searches for moons around Vesta have found nothing to an upper limit of 22.5 magnitude, that corresponds to 44 +/- 4 m diameter assuming the same albedo as Vesta. The Dawn mission's approach phase has dedicated satellite search observations consisting of two mosaic sequences bracketing the first observations of a complete rotation of Vesta scheduled for early July, 2011. In addition, we use the approach optical navigation image sequences for initial satellite searches. We will report any findings from these observations, and upper limits of magnitude and size
MAVEN IUVS observations of the aftermath of the Comet Siding Spring meteor shower on Mars
We report the detection of intense emission from magnesium and iron in Mars' atmosphere caused by a meteor shower following Comet Siding Spring's close encounter with Mars. The observations were made with the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph, a remote sensing instrument on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft orbiting Mars. Ionized magnesium caused the brightest emission from the planet's atmosphere for many hours, resulting from resonant scattering of solar ultraviolet light. Modeling suggests a substantial fluence of low-density dust particles 1-100μm in size, with the large amount and small size contrary to predictions. The event created a temporary planet-wide ionospheric layer below Mars' main dayside ionosphere. The dramatic meteor shower response at Mars is starkly different from the case at Earth, where a steady state metal layer is always observable but perturbations caused by even the strongest meteor showers are challenging to detect
Internal control genes for quantitative RT-PCR expression analysis in mouse osteoblasts, osteoclasts and macrophages
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) is a powerful technique capable of accurately quantitating mRNA expression levels over a large dynamic range. This makes qPCR the most widely used method for studying quantitative gene expression. An important aspect of qPCR is selecting appropriate controls or normalization factors to account for any differences in starting cDNA quantities between samples during expression studies. Here, we report on the selection of a concise set of housekeeper genes for the accurate normalization of quantitative gene expression data in differentiating osteoblasts, osteoclasts and macrophages. We implemented the use of geNorm, an algorithm that determines the suitability of genes to function as housekeepers by assessing expression stabilities. We evaluated the expression stabilities of 18S, ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, HMBS and HPRT1 genes.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Our analyses revealed that 18S and GAPDH were regulated during osteoblast differentiation and are not suitable for use as reference genes. The most stably expressed genes in osteoblasts were ACTB, HMBS and HPRT1 and their geometric average constitutes a suitable normalization factor upon which gene expression data can be normalized. In macrophages, 18S and GAPDH were the most variable genes while HMBS and B2M were the most stably expressed genes. The geometric average of HMBS and B2M expression levels forms a suitable normalization factor to account for potential differences in starting cDNA quantities during gene expression analysis in macrophages. The expression stabilities of the six candidate reference genes in osteoclasts were, on average, more variable than that observed in macrophages but slightly less variable than those seen in osteoblasts. The two most stably expressed genes in osteoclasts were HMBS and B2M and the genes displaying the greatest levels of variability were 18S and GAPDH. Notably, 18S and GAPDH were the two most variably expressed control genes in all three cell types. The geometric average of HMBS, B2M and ACTB creates an appropriate normalization factor for gene expression studies in osteoclasts.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have identified concise sets of genes suitable to use as normalization factors for quantitative real-time RT-PCR gene expression studies in osteoblasts, osteoclasts and macrophages.</p
Native drivers of fish life history traits are lost during the invasion process
© 2020 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Rapid adaptation to global change can counter vulnerability of species to population declines and extinction. Theoretically, under such circumstances both genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity can maintain population fitness, but empirical support for this is currently limited. Here, we aim to characterize the role of environmental and genetic diversity, and their prior evolutionary history (via haplogroup profiles) in shaping patterns of life history traits during biological invasion. Data were derived from both genetic and life history traits including a morphological analysis of 29 native and invasive populations of topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva coupled with climatic variables from each location. General additive models were constructed to explain distribution of somatic growth rate (SGR) data across native and invasive ranges, with model selection performed using Akaike's information criteria. Genetic and environmental drivers that structured the life history of populations in their native range were less influential in their invasive populations. For some vertebrates at least, fitness-related trait shifts do not seem to be dependent on the level of genetic diversity or haplogroup makeup of the initial introduced propagule, nor of the availability of local environmental conditions being similar to those experienced in their native range. As long as local conditions are not beyond the species physiological threshold, its local establishment and invasive potential are likely to be determined by local drivers, such as density-dependent effects linked to resource availability or to local biotic resistance
INVASIVESNET towards an International Association for Open Knowledge on Invasive Alien Species
In a world where invasive alien species (IAS) are recognised as one of the major threats to biodiversity, leading scientists from five continents have come together to propose the concept of developing an international association for open knowledge and open data on IAS—termed “INVASIVESNET”. This new association will facilitate greater understanding and improved management of invasive alien species (IAS) and biological invasions globally, by developing a sustainable network of networks for effective knowledge exchange. In addition to their inclusion in the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, the increasing ecological, social, cultural and economic impacts associated with IAS have driven the development of multiple legal instruments and policies. This increases the need for greater co-ordination, co-operation, and information exchange among scientists, management, the community of practice and the public.
INVASIVESNET will be formed by linking new and existing networks of interested stakeholders including international and national expert working groups and initiatives, individual scientists, database managers, thematic open access journals, environmental agencies, practitioners, managers, industry, non-government organisations, citizens and educational bodies. The association will develop technical tools and cyberinfrastructure for the collection, management and dissemination of data and information on IAS; create an effective communication platform for global stakeholders; and promote coordination and collaboration through international meetings, workshops, education, training and outreach.
To date, the sustainability of many strategic national and international initiatives on IAS have unfortunately been hampered by time-limited grants or funding cycles. Recognising that IAS initiatives need to be globally coordinated and ongoing, we aim to develop a sustainable knowledge sharing association to connect the outputs of IAS research and to inform the consequential management and societal challenges arising from IAS introductions. INVASIVESNET will provide a dynamic and enduring network of networks to ensure the continuity of connections among the IAS community of practice, science and management
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