Use of regional climate model simulations as input for hydrological models for the Hindukush-Karakorum-Himalaya region

The most important climatological inputs required for the calibration and validation of hydrological models are temperature and precipitation that can be derived from observational records or alternatively from regional climate models (RCMs). In this paper, meteorological station observations and results of the PRECIS (Providing REgional Climate for Impact Studies) RCM driven by the outputs of reanalysis ERA 40 data and HadAM3P general circulation model (GCM) results are used as input in the hydrological model. The objective is to investigate the effect of precipitation and temperature simulated with the PRECIS RCM nested in these two data sets on discharge simulated with the HBV model for three river basins in the Hindukush-Karakorum-Himalaya (HKH) region. Six HBV model experiments are designed: HBV-Met, HBV-ERA and HBV-Had, HBV-MetCRU-corrected, HBV-ERABenchmark and HBV-HadBenchmark where HBV is driven by meteorological stations data, data from PRECIS nested in ERA-40 and HadAM3P, meteorological stations CRU corrected data, ERA-40 reanalysis and HadAM3P GCM data, respectively. Present day PRECIS simulations possess strong capacity to simulate spatial patterns of present day climate characteristics. However, also some quantitative biases exist in the HKH region, where PRECIS RCM simulations underestimate temperature and overestimate precipitation with respect to CRU observations. The calibration and validation results of the HBV model experiments show that the performance of HBV-Met is better than the HBV models driven by other data sources. However, using input data series from sources different from the data used in the model calibration shows that HBV-Had is more efficient than other models and HBV-Met has the least absolute relative error with respect to all other models. The uncertainties are higher in least efficient models (i.e. HBV-MetCRU-corrected and HBV-ERABenchmark) where the model parameters are also unrealistic. In terms of both robustness and uncertainty ranges the HBV models calibrated with PRECIS output performed better than other calibrated models except for HBV-Met which has shown a higher robustness. This suggests that in data sparse regions such as the HKH region data from regional climate models may be used as input in hydrological models for climate scenarios studies

Meaning above the head: combinatorial constraints on the visual vocabulary of comics

“Upfixes” are “visual morphemes” originating in comics where an element floats above a character’s head (ex. lightbulbs or gears). We posited that, similar to constructional lexical schemas in language, upfixes use an abstract schema stored in memory, which constrains upfixes to locations above the head and requires them to “agree” with their accompanying facial expressions. We asked participants to rate and interpret both conventional and unconventional upfixes that either matched or mismatched their facial expression (Experiment 1) and/or were placed either above or beside the head (Experiment 2). Interpretations and ratings of conventionality and face–upfix matching (Experiment 1) along with overall comprehensibility (Experiment 2) suggested that both constraints operated on upfix understanding. Because these constraints modulated both conventional and unconventional upfixes, these findings support that an abstract schema stored in long-term memory allows for generalisations beyond memorised individual items

Preverbs: an introduction

The notion ‘preverb’ is a traditional descriptive notion in Indo-European linguistics. It refers to morphemes that appear in front of a verb, and which form a close semantic unit with that verb. In many cases, the morpheme that functions as a preverb can also function without a preverbal context, often as an adverb or an adposition. Most linguists use the notion ‘preverb’ as a cover term for preverbal words and preverbal prefixes. The preverb may be separated from the verb whilst retaining its close cohesion with the verb, which is called ‘tmesis’. It may also develop into a bound morpheme, that is, a prefix inseparable from the verb, with concomitant reduction of phonological form in some cases. If the preverb has become a real prefix, we may use the more specific notion of ‘complex verb’, whereas we take the notion ‘complex predicate’ to refer generally to multi-morphemic expressions with verbal valency. That is, we make a terminological distinction between complex predicates and complex verbs. The latter are multi-morphemic, but behave as single grammatical words

The ACE Project: a synopsis of in vivo studies to predict estrogenic mixture effects in freshwater and marine fish

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry - SETAC Europe 15th Annual Meeting, Lille, France, May 2005.This work is part of the ACE project (ACE, EVK1-CT-2001-100) which aim is to investigate multi-component mixtures of estrogenic compounds in aquatic ecosystems. Here we present a synopsis of in vivo data related with the joint estrogenic action of five estrogenic compounds (17ß-estradiol, ethynylestradiol, nonylphenol, octylphenol and bisphenol-A) on vitellogenesis in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The studies were conducted with freshwater adult males and marine juveniles under flow through exposure conditions for two weeks. In the first step, fish were exposed to the five compounds individually in order to generate concentration- response curves. Therefore mixture effects were predicted on the basis of the potency of each compound by using the model of concentration addition (CA). Finally, the compounds were tested as a mixture at equipotent concentrations, and the observed mixture effects were compared to the predictions. The mixture studies showed an good agreement between observed and predicted effects and provided evidence that CA can be used as a predictive tool for the effect assessment of mixtures of (xeno)estrogens in freshwater or marine ecosystems. The differences/limitations of running in vivo mixture studies with freshwater and marine species will be discussed.Comissão Europeia (CE) - ACE project - ACE, EVK1-CT-2001-100

Pubertal presentation in seven patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to P450 Oxidoreductase deficiency

Context: P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is a crucial electron donor to all microsomal P450 cytochrome (CYP) enzymes including 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17A1), 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2) and P450 aromatase. Mutant POR causes congenital adrenal hyperplasia with combined glucocorticoid and sex steroid deficiency. P450 oxidoreductase deficiency (ORD) commonly presents neonatally, with disordered sex development in both sexes, skeletal malformations, and glucocorticoid deficiency. \ud \ud Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the clinical and biochemical characteristics of ORD during puberty. \ud \ud Design: Clinical, biochemical, and genetic assessment of seven ORD patients (five females, two males) presenting during puberty was conducted. \ud \ud Results: Predominant findings in females were incomplete pubertal development (four of five) and large ovarian cysts (five of five) prone to spontaneous rupture, in some only resolving after combined treatment with estrogen/progestin, GnRH superagonists, and glucocorticoids. Pubertal development in the two boys was more mildly affected, with some spontaneous progression. Urinary steroid profiling revealed combined CYP17A1 and CYP21A2 deficiencies indicative of ORD in all patients; all but one failed to mount an appropriate cortisol response to ACTH stimulation indicative of adrenal insufficiency. Diagnosis of ORD was confirmed by direct sequencing, demonstrating disease-causing POR mutations. \ud \ud Conclusion: Delayed and disordered puberty can be the first sign leading to a diagnosis of ORD. Appropriate testosterone production during puberty in affected boys but manifest primary hypogonadism in girls with ORD may indicate that testicular steroidogenesis is less dependent on POR than adrenal and ovarian steroidogenesis. Ovarian cysts in pubertal girls may be driven not only by high gonadotropins but possibly also by impaired CYP51A1-mediated production of meiosis-activating sterols due to mutant POR

Neutral and Cationic Rare Earth Metal Alkyl and Benzyl Compounds with the 1,4,6-Trimethyl-6-pyrrolidin-1-yl-1,4-diazepane Ligand and Their Performance in the Catalytic Hydroamination/Cyclization of Aminoalkenes

A new neutral tridentate 1,4,6-trimethyl-6-pyrrolidin-1-yl-1,4-diazepane (L) was prepared. Reacting L with trialkyls M(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 (M = Sc, Y) and tribenzyls M(CH2Ph)3(THF)3 (M = Sc, La) yielded trialkyl complexes (L)M(CH2SiMe3)3 (M = Sc, 1; M = Y, 2) and tribenzyl complexes (L)M(CH2Ph)3 (M = Sc, 3; M = La, 4). Complexes 1 and 2 can be converted to their corresponding ionic compounds [(L)M(CH2SiMe3)2(THF)][B(C6H5)4] (M = Sc, Y) by reaction with [PhNMe2H][B(C6H5)4] in THF. Complexes 3 and 4 can be converted to cationic species [(L)M(CH2Ph)2]+ by reaction with [PhNMe2H][B(C6F5)4] in C6D5Br in the absence of THF. The neutral complexes 1-4 and their cationic derivatives were studied as catalysts for the hydroamination/cyclization of 2,2-diphenylpent-4-en-1-amine and N-methylpent-4-en-1-amine reference substrates and compared with ligand-free Sc, Y, and La neutral and cationic catalysts. The most effective catalysts in the series were the cationic L-yttrium catalyst (for 2,2-diphenylpent-4-en-1-amine) and the cationic lanthanum systems (for N-methylpent-4-en-1-amine). For the La catalysts, evidence was obtained for release of L from the metal during catalysis.

A simple view of linguistic complexity

Although a growing number of second language acquisition (SLA) studies take linguistic complexity as a dependent variable, the term is still poorly defined and often used with different meanings, thus posing serious problems for research synthesis and knowledge accumulation. This article proposes a simple, coherent view of the construct, which is defined in a purely structural way, i.e. the complexity directly arising from the number of linguistic elements and their interrelationships. Issues of cognitive cost (difficulty) or developmental dynamics (acquisition) are explicitly excluded from this theoretical definition and its operationalization. The article discusses how the complexity of an interlanguage system can be assessed based on the limited samples SLA researchers usually work with. For the areas of morphology, syntax and the lexicon, some measures are proposed which are coherent with the purely structural view advocated, and issues related to their operationalization are critically scrutinized

Early-stage [123I]beta-CIT SPECT and long-term clinical follow-up in patients with an initial diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

beta-CIT binding in both caudate nuclei was lower than in the group of patients with IPD. In addition, putamen to caudate binding ratios were higher in the group of APS patients. In spite of these differences, individual binding values showed considerable overlap between the groups. CONCLUSION: [(123)I]beta-CIT SPECT scanning in early-stage, untreated parkinsonian patients revealed a relative sparing of the caudate nucleus in patients with IPD as compared to patients later (re)diagnosed with APS. Nevertheless, the pattern of striatal involvement appears to have little predictive value for a later re-diagnosis of APS in individual case

Hubungan Antara Perhatian Orangtua Dan Hasil Belajar Pada Pembelajaran Tematik Integratif Siswa Kelas IV SD Negeri Kembangarum 2 Mranggen Demak

More less the studying result of students in 4th SD Negeri Kembangarum 2 Mranggen that influences some aspects, one of aspects is her parents?óÔé¼Ôäó not careless with them. Parents?óÔé¼Ôäó is constitute the?é?á first educator for children so that her parents?óÔé¼Ôäó has have responsibility to the studying result her children. The problem in this research contents is about Is there any correlation between of parents?óÔé¼Ôäó attention and the study result for thematic integrative learning in 4th SD Negeri Kembangarum 2 Mranggen Demak?. The hypothesis is that there is positive and significant correlation between of parents?óÔé¼Ôäó attention and the study result for thematic integrative learning in 4th SD Negeri Kembangarum 2 Mranggen Demak. The kind of this research is quantitative research. This research use correlation methode and submited the data use questionnaire and test. The colected data are analysed using product moment formula. The finding is that > on significancy level of 0,05. So the?é?á conclusion is there is positive and significant correlation between of parents?óÔé¼Ôäó attention and the study result for thematic integrative learning in 4th SD Negeri Kembangarum 2 Mranggen Demak

An integrated method to develop high temporal Landsat NDVI using free and open-source software (FOSS) GIS application

Landsat image series are long-term times series observing the earth’s surface at a relatively fine spatial resolution of 30 m on the visible and infrared channels, which can be used to monitor vegetation dynamics using band ratios such as NDVI. However, due to cloud cover, having Landsat NDVI at a high temporal resolution is impossible. This is especially found in high-humidity regions such as Indonesia, particularly in the rainy season. Whereas some studies, such as long-term phenological observations and detailed land use/land cover change detection, may require Landsat NDVI with a high temporal resolution. One of the higher temporal resolution images with similar spectral characteristics to Landsat is MODIS, which can be used to fill the gap; however, it may have a coarser spatial resolution. Thus, some methods have been developed to blend Landsat and MODIS images to create images with both Landsat spatial detail and MODIS high temporal resolution. Unfortunately, the blending methods are usually not straightforward, where complex steps are required to find and combine several techniques with advanced computational skills. This study, therefore, aims to develop an integrated method to create high temporal Landsat NDVI using free and open-source software (FOSS) GIS application, which is easily accessible and applicable.</p