Progress on optimizing miscanthus biomass production for the European bioeconomy:Results of the EU FP7 project OPTIMISC

This paper describes the complete findings of the EU-funded research project OPTIMISC, which investigated methods to optimize the production and use of miscanthus biomass. Miscanthus bioenergy and bioproduct chains were investigated by trialing 15 diverse germplasm types in a range of climatic and soil environments across central Europe, Ukraine, Russia, and China. The abiotic stress tolerances of a wider panel of 100 germplasm types to drought, salinity, and low temperatures were measured in the laboratory and a field trial in Belgium. A small selection of germplasm types was evaluated for performance in grasslands on marginal sites in Germany and the UK. The growth traits underlying biomass yield and quality were measured to improve regional estimates of feedstock availability. Several potential high-value bioproducts were identified. The combined results provide recommendations to policymakers, growers and industry. The major technical advances in miscanthus production achieved by OPTIMISC include: (1) demonstration that novel hybrids can out-yield the standard commercially grown genotype Miscanthus x giganteus; (2) characterization of the interactions of physiological growth responses with environmental variation within and between sites; (3) quantification of biomass-quality-relevant traits; (4) abiotic stress tolerances of miscanthus genotypes; (5) selections suitable for production on marginal land; (6) field establishment methods for seeds using plugs; (7) evaluation of harvesting methods; and (8) quantification of energy used in densification (pellet) technologies with a range of hybrids with differences in stem wall properties. End-user needs were addressed by demonstrating the potential of optimizing miscanthus biomass composition for the production of ethanol and biogas as well as for combustion. The costs and life-cycle assessment of seven miscanthusbased value chains, including small- and large-scale heat and power, ethanol, biogas, and insulation material production, revealed GHG-emission- and fossil-energy-saving potentials of up to 30.6 t CO2eqC ha(-1) y(-1) and 429 GJ ha(-1)y(-1), respectively. Transport distance was identified as an important cost factor. Negative carbon mitigation costs of-78 epsilon t(-1) CO2eq C were recorded for local biomass use. The OPTIMISC results demonstrate the potential of miscanthus as a crop for marginal sites and provide information and technologies for the commercial implementation of miscanthus-based value chains

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Determinación del Índice de erodabilidad (K) en dos suelos del Departamento del Cauca, Colombia

Se determinó el factor de erodabilidad K para un Oxic Dytropept (Santander) y un Oxic Humitropept (Mondomo), utilizando valores del índice EI30 y pérdidas totales promedio (t/ha) de suelo, a partir de parcelas unitarias de escorrentía con dimensiones de 22.1 m x 8 m. El factor de erodabilidad K para los mismos suelos también fue calculado indirectamente por el método de Wischmeier y Smith (1978). Se tomaron periódicamente muestras de la superficie (0-10 cm) y a través de análisis de las respectivas propiedades físicas en laboratorio y de campo, se determinaron los parámetros requeridos para el cálculo. El valor de la erodabilidad calculada indirectamente es determinado con base en propiedades intrínsecas del suelo, que a su vez están influencidas por una serie de características del medio. Para este estudio se seleccionaron algunas propiedades físicas del suelo que aparentemente pueden estar influyendo en dicho valor: densidad aparente, porosidad, infiltración superficial (lab.), infiltración (campo), permeabilidad, estabilidad de agregados en seco y húmedo. Finalmente se obtuvieron modelos predictivos del factor K utilizando propiedades del suelo como variables independientes. Dichos modelos podrían utilizarse considerando siempre limitaciones presentes hasta que existan otros más ajustados, que seguramente serán generado