994 research outputs found
Modelling Interregional Trade of Energy Crops in Eastern Germany
Renewable resources gain in importance in our modern society. The line of reasoning is based on their positive effects on agriculture, the environment and the economy. To support renewable energy from biomass the EU promotes the cultivation of energy crops. A spatial equilibrium model is applied based on the concept of maximizing net welfare, to provide information whether energy crop production competes with food production for land area. The Model of Interregional Trade of Energy Crops (ITEC) refers to Eastern Germany and adjacent areas of Poland. First results show that the regions have enough feedstocks to meet the required demand for food and biofuel production. In many cases both food crops and biofuels are either traded on interregional basis or exported to "Rest of Europe" indicating that there is no competition between food and energy crops. Only green maize for biogas production strongly competes in areas where the crop is required as feed for cattle.Energy crops, spatial equilibrium analysis, interregional trade, International Relations/Trade,
VLT Diffraction Limited Imaging and Spectroscopy in the NIR: Weighing the black hole in Centaurus A with NACO
We present high spatial resolution near-infrared spectra and images of the
nucleus of Centaurus A (NGC 5128) obtained with NAOS-CONICA at the VLT. The
adaptive optics corrected data have a spatial resolution of 0.06" (FWHM) in K-
and 0.11" in H-band, four times higher than previous studies. The observed gas
motions suggest a kinematically hot disk which is orbiting a central object and
is oriented nearly perpendicular to the nuclear jet. We model the central
rotation and velocity dispersion curves of the [FeII] gas orbiting in the
combined potential of the stellar mass and the (dominant) black hole. Our
physically most plausible model, a dynamically hot and geometrically thin gas
disk, yields a black hole mass of M_bh = (6.1 +0.6/-0.8) 10^7 M_sun. As the
physical state of the gas is not well understood, we also consider two limiting
cases: first a cold disk model, which completely neglects the velocity
dispersion; it yields an M_bh estimate that is almost two times lower. The
other extreme case is to model a spherical gas distribution in hydrostatic
equilibrium through Jeans equation. Compared to the hot disk model the best-fit
black hole mass increases by a factor of 1.5. This wide mass range spanned by
the limiting cases shows how important the gas physics is even for high
resolution data. Our overall best-fitting black hole mass is a factor of 2-4
lower than previous measurements. With our revised M_bh estimate, Cen A's
offset from the M_bh-sigma relation is significantly reduced; it falls above
this relation by a factor of ~2, which is close to the intrinsic scatter of
this relation. (Abridged)Comment: 12 pages, 14 figures, including minor changes following the referee
report; accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa
Tomato linalool synthase is induced in trichomes by jasmonic acid
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants emit a blend of volatile organic compounds, which mainly consists of terpenes. Upon herbivory or wounding, the emission of several terpenes increases. We have identified and characterized the first two tomato monoterpene synthases, LeMTS1 and LeMTS2. Although these proteins were highly homologous, recombinant LeMTS1 protein produced (R)-linalool from geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and (E)-nerolidol from farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), while recombinant LeMTS2 produced β-phellandrene, β-myrcene, and sabinene from GPP. In addition, these genes were expressed in different tissues: LeMTS1 was expressed in flowers, young leaves, stems, and petioles, while LeMTS2 was strongest expressed in stems and roots. LeMTS1 expression in leaves was induced by spider mite-infestation, wounding and jasmonic acid (JA)-treatment, while LeMTS2 did not respond to these stimuli. The expression of LeMTS1 in stems and petioles was predominantly detected in trichomes and could be induced by JA. Because JA treatment strongly induced emission of linalool and overexpression of LeMTS1 in tomato resulted in increased production of linalool, we propose that LeMTS1 is a genuine linalool synthase. Our results underline the importance of trichomes in JA-induced terpene emission in tomato
Plecotus microdontus (Mammalia: Vespertilionidae), nova vrsta ĹĄiĹĄmiĹĄa iz Austrije
SPITZENBERGER et al. (2001) reported the existence of more than two different genetic clades within long-eared bats in Austria. A genetic analysis of one specimen from the Dalmatian island of Lastovo (Croatia), close to the locus typicus of Plecotus kolombatovici, and an additional morphological analysis of specimens from some other Dalmatian islands revealed the fact that in contrast to the previous interpretation, clade 2 in SPITZENBERGER et al. (2001) does not represent P. kolombatovici, which is a separate species related to P. austriacus. Clade 2 has to be considered a new species, P. microdontus n. sp., which is the sister group of P. auritus. It is distinguishable in external, skull and teeth characters from other European Plecotus species. It is known from the Alps between Liguria and Slovenia.SPITZENBERGER et al. (2001) su objavili da u Austriji postoji viĹĄe od dvije genetiÄki razliÄite grupe dugouhih ĹĄiĹĄmiĹĄa. GenetiÄka analiza jednog primjerka ĹĄiĹĄmiĹĄa ove skupine s dalmatinskog otoka Lastova (Hrvatska) koji je neposredno uz locus typicus vrste Plecotus kolombatovici, te dodatna morfoloĹĄka analiza primjeraka s drugih dalmatinskih otoka, pokazali su suprotno prethodnom objaĹĄnjenju da grupa 2 u SPITZENBERGER et al. (2001) ne predstavlja vrstu P. kolombatovici, koja je odijeljena vrsta srodna s P. austriacus. Za navedenu grupu 2 iz tog rada smatramo da predstavlja za znanost novu vrstu, P. microdontus n. sp., koja pripada grupi P. auritus. Ona se od ostalih europskih vrsta roda Plecotus razlikuje u vanjskoj morfologiji, znaÄajkama lubanje i zubiju. Poznata je iz Alpa u podruÄju izmeÄu Ligurije i Slovenije
Preventing dentures and putting aside the fry bread: A systematic review of micro, mezzo, and macro conditions for dental health and obesity interventions for Native American youth
This systematic literature review was focused on childhood obesity and dental health interventions which have relevance to Native American communities. Childhood oral health and obesity have become significant problems across North America and among Nati
Further Insights into the Reaction Be14(CH2,X)10He
A previously published measurement of the reaction of a 59 MeV/nucleon 14Be beam on a deuterated polyethylene target was further analyzed to search for 12He as well as initial state effects in the population of the 10He ground state. No evidence for either was found. A lower limit of about 1 MeV was determined for a possible resonance in 12He. In addition, the three-body decay energy spectrum of 10He could not be described by a reaction mechanism calculation based on the halo structure of the initial 14Be assuming a direct Îą-particle removal reaction
ODORANT1 targets multiple metabolic networks in petunia flowers
Scent bouquets produced by the flowers of Petuniaâspp. (petunia) are composed of a complex mixture of floral volatile benzenoid and phenylpropanoid compounds (FVBPs), which are specialized metabolites derived from phenylalanine (Phe) through an interconnected network of enzymes. The biosynthesis and emission of high levels of these volatiles requires coordinated transcriptional activation of both primary and specialized metabolic networks. The petunia R2R3âMYB transcription factor ODORANTâ1 (ODO1) was identified as a master regulator of FVBP production and emission; however, our knowledge of the direct regulatory targets of ODO1 has remained limited. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIPâseq) in petunia flowers, we identify genomeâwide ODO1âbound genes that are enriched not only in genes involved in the biosynthesis of the Phe precursor, as previously reported, but also genes associated with the specialized metabolic pathways involved in generating phenylpropanoid intermediates for FVBPs. ODO1âbound genes are also involved in methionine and Sâadenosylmethionine metabolism, which could modulate methyl group supplies for certain FVBPs. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRTâPCR) and RNAâseq analysis in an ODO1 RNAi knockdown line revealed that ODO1âbound targets are expressed at lower levels when ODO1 is suppressed. A cisâregulatory motif, CACCAACCCC, was identified as a potential binding site for ODO1 in the promoters of genes that are both bound and activated by ODO1, which was validated by inâplanta promoter reporter assays with wildâtype and mutated promoters. Overall, our work presents a mechanistic model for ODO1 controlling an extensive gene regulatory network that contributes to FVBP production to give rise to floral scent
Structure and Decay Correlations of Two-Neutron Systems Beyond the Dripline
The two-neutron unbound systems of 16Be, 13Li, 10He, and 26O have been measured using the Modular Neutron Array (MoNA) and 4 Tm Sweeper magnet setup. The correlations of the 3-body decay for the 16Be and 13Li were extracted and demonstrated a strong correlated enhancement between the two neutrons. The measurement of the 10He ground state resonance from a 14Be(â2p2n) reaction provided insight into previous predictions that wavefunction of the entrance channel, projectile, can influence the observed decay energy spectrum for the unbound system. Lastly, the decay-in-target (DiT) technique was utilized to extract the lifetime of the 26O ground state. The measured lifetime of 4.5+1.1 â1.5 (stat.)Âą3(sys.) ps provides the first indication of two-neutron radioactivity
Evaluation of lion (Panthera leo) scat as a wild dog (Lycaon pictus) deterrent on game farms
DATA AVAILABILITY : The data that support this study were in part obtained from the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Mapesu Private Game Reserve by
permission. Therefore, data will only be shared upon reasonable request to the corresponding author with permission from the third partiesCONTEXT : The conservation of the Endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) poses a major challenge to conservationists because outside the boundaries of protected areas, wild dogs are prone to conflict with farmers. Mitigation measures appropriate for game farmers are scarce, leaving them with limited options to reduce wild dog impact. As a result, targeted persecution is a common occurrence. However, wild dogs are subject to intraguild competition with dominant competitors, often resulting in their suppression and spatial displacement. Therefore, olfactory cues of lion presence may trigger an adverse reaction in wild dogs, and could be a means to manage wild dog movements across the landscape to prevent conflict with farmers.
AIMS : We aimed to evaluate whether wild dogs can be deterred by simulating lion presence.
METHODS : By using translocated scent cues in the form of lion scat deployed along the perimeter of plots, lion presence was simulated on game farms where lions were absent. The rate and duration of incursions by wild dogs, collared with GPS trackers, into control and treatment plots (âgroupâ) were evaluated.
KEY RESULTS : Wild dog incursion rate dropped by 55.5%, and duration of incursion events dropped by 72.7%, after lion scat was deposited. Control and treatment plots were equally affected with no significant effect of the grouping on wild dog movement. The magnitude of the treatment effect differed between packs.
CONCLUSION : The significant decline of wild dog movement after implementation of treatment suggests a deterrence effect. The insignificant effect of group on wild dog movement indicates large-scale avoidance triggered by a change in the wild dogsâ risk perception across the landscape following treatment. The fact that the magnitude of the treatment effect differed between packs indicates that the response to predator cues is likely to be context-dependent.
IMPLICATIONS : The findings present a novel approach to managing free-roaming wild dogs by utilising biologically relevant cues, which may benefit wild dog conservation. There is a need for further research to develop the emerging field of scent studies to provide non-lethal solutions and progress towards evidence-based large carnivore management practices.The Kevin Richardson Foundation.https://www.publish.csiro.au/WRhj2024Centre for Veterinary Wildlife StudiesProduction Animal StudiesSDG-15:Life on lan
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