Uncertainties in tidally adjusted estimates of sea level rise flooding (bathtub model) for the Greater London

Sea-level rise (SLR) from global warming may have severe consequences for coastal cities, particularly when combined with predicted increases in the strength of tidal surges. Predicting the regional impact of SLR flooding is strongly dependent on the modelling approach and accuracy of topographic data. Here, the areas under risk of sea water flooding for London boroughs were quantified based on the projected SLR scenarios reported in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fifth assessment report (AR5) and UK climatic projections 2009 (UKCP09) using a tidally-adjusted bathtub modelling approach. Medium- to very high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) are used to evaluate inundation extents as well as uncertainties. Depending on the SLR scenario and DEMs used, it is estimated that 3%–8% of the area of Greater London could be inundated by 2100. The boroughs with the largest areas at risk of flooding are Newham, Southwark, and Greenwich. The differences in inundation areas estimated from a digital terrain model and a digital surface model are much greater than the root mean square error differences observed between the two data types, which may be attributed to processing levels. Flood models from SRTM data underestimate the inundation extent, so their results may not be reliable for constructing flood risk maps. This analysis provides a broad-scale estimate of the potential consequences of SLR and uncertainties in the DEM-based bathtub type flood inundation modelling for London boroughs

The Transcription Factor REST Is Lost in Aggressive Breast Cancer

The function of the tumor suppressor RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is lost in colon and small cell lung cancers and is known to induce anchorage-independent growth in human mammary epithelial cells. However, nothing is currently known about the role of this tumor suppressor in breast cancer. Here, we test the hypothesis that loss of REST function plays a role in breast cancer. To assay breast tumors for REST function, we developed a 24-gene signature composed of direct targets of the transcriptional repressor. Using the 24- gene signature, we identified a previously undefined RESTless breast tumor subtype. Using gene set enrichment analysis, we confirmed the aberrant expression of REST target genes in the REST–less tumors, including neuronal gene targets of REST that are normally not expressed outside the nervous system. Examination of REST mRNA identified a truncated splice variant of REST present in the REST–less tumor population, but not other tumors. Histological analysis of 182 outcome-associated breast tumor tissues also identified a subpopulation of tumors that lack full-length, functional REST and over-express the neuroendocrine marker and REST target gene Chromogranin A. Importantly, patients whose tumors were found to be REST–less using either the 24-gene signature or histology had significantly poorer prognosis and were more than twice as likely to undergo disease recurrence within the first 3 years after diagnosis. We show here that REST function is lost in breast cancer, at least in part via an alternative splicing mechanism. Patients with REST–less breast cancer undergo significantly more early disease recurrence than those with fully functional REST, regardless of estrogen receptor or HER2 status. Importantly, REST status may serve as a predictor of poor prognosis, helping to untangle the heterogeneity inherent in disease course and response to treatment. Additionally, the alternative splicing observed in REST–less breast cancer is an attractive therapeutic target

Defibrillated celluloses via dual twin-screw extrusion and microwave hydrothermal treatment (MHT) of spent pea biomass

The defibrillation of lignocellulosic matter from pea waste using a dual approach of twin-screw extrusion and microwave hydrothermal treatment (MHT) in the presence of water alone from 120 to 200 °C is reported. Gradual "scissoring" of biomass macrofibers to microfibrils was observed alluding to the hydrothermal microwave-assisted selective scissoring (Hy-MASS) concept. The morphology and properties of two types of MFC: PEA (nonextruded) and EPEA (extruded) were compared. The EPEA samples gave a higher crystallinity index and thermal stability, reduced lignin and hemicellulose content, narrower fibril width, better water holding capacity slightly, and higher surface area compared with their nonextruded counterparts (PEA). Twin screw extrusion as a pretreatment method followed by MHT represents a potential way to produce microfibrillated cellulose with improved physical performance from complex biomass sources

Dehairing Australian alpaca fibres with a cashmere dehairing machine

Many classes of alpaca fibres contain a certain amount of coarse fibres, which are strong and stiff, and cause discomfort to the end users of the alpaca fibre products. It is therefore desirable to separate the coarse fibres from the fine alpaca fibres. This paper reports trial results on alpaca dehairing using a cashmere dehairing machine. The diameters of alpaca fleece, dehaired alpaca fibres and removed alpaca fibres were analysed, and the fibre lengths before and after dehairing have been compared. The results indicate that it is feasible to dehair alpaca fibres using a cashmere dehairing facility. The dehaired alpaca fibres are cleaner, bulkier and softer, with around 1.5 &mu;m reduction in average fibre diameter, but the dehairing process shortens the dehaired fibre length considerably. The dehairing effectiveness of coarse fibre removal using the cashmere dehairing technology has also been discussed in this paper. <br /

Utilizing geospatial information to implement SDGs and monitor their Progress

It is more than 4 years since the 2030 agenda for sustainable development was adopted by the United Nations and its member states in September 2015. Several efforts are being made by member countries to contribute towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The progress which had been made over time in achieving SDGs can be monitored by measuring a set of quantifiable indicators for each of the goals. It has been seen that geospatial information plays a significant role in measuring some of the targets, hence it is relevant in the implementation of SDGs and monitoring of their progress. Synoptic view and repetitive coverage of the Earth's features and phenomenon by different satellites is a powerful and propitious technological advancement. The paper reviews robustness of Earth Observation data for continuous planning, monitoring, and evaluation of SDGs. The scientific world has made commendable progress by providing geospatial data at various spatial, spectral, radiometric, and temporal resolutions enabling usage of the data for various applications. This paper also reviews the application of big data from earth observation and citizen science data to implement SDGs with a multi-disciplinary approach. It covers literature from various academic landscapes utilizing geospatial data for mapping, monitoring, and evaluating the earth's features and phenomena as it establishes the basis of its utilization for the achievement of the SDGs

From unavoidable food waste to advanced biomaterials : microfibrilated lignocellulose production by microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment of cassava peel and almond hull

Lignocellulose based nanomaterials are emerging green biosolids commonly obtained from wood pulp. Alternative feedstocks, such as as unavoidable food waste, are interesting resources for nano/microfibers. This research reports the production and characterization of microfibrillated lignocellulose (MFLC) from cassava peel (CP) and almond hull (AH) via acid-free microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment (MHT) at different temperatures (120–220 °C). During processing, the structural changes were tracked by ATR-IR, TGA, XRD, 13C CPMAS NMR, zeta potential, HPLC, elemental analysis (CHN; carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen), TEM and SEM analyses. The microwave processing temperature and nature of feedstock exerted a significant influence on the yields and properties of the MFLCs produced. The MFLC yields from CP and AH shifted by 15–49% and 31–73%, respectively. Increasing the MHT temperature substantially affected the crystallinity index (13–66% for CP and 36–62% for AH) and thermal stability (300–374 °C for CP and 300–364 °C for AH) of the MFLCs produced. This suggested that the MFLC from CP is more fragile and brittle than that produced from AH. These phenomena influenced the gelation capabilities of the fibers. AH MFLC pretreated with ethanol at low temperature gave better film-forming capabilities, while untreated and heptane pretreated materials formed stable hydrogels at solid concentration (2% w/v). At high processing temperatures, the microfibrils were separated into elementary fibers, regardless of pretreatment or feedstock type. Given these data, this work demonstrates that the acid-free MHT processing of CP and AH is a facile method for producing MFLC with potential applications, including adsorption, packaging and the production of nanocomposites and personal care rheology modifiers. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

A field-grown transgenic tomato line expressing higher levels of polyamines reveals legume cover crop mulch-specific perturbations in fruit phenotype at the levels of metabolite profiles, gene expression, and agronomic characteristics

Genetic modification of crop plants to introduce desirable traits such as nutritional enhancement, disease and pest resistance, and enhanced crop productivity is increasingly seen as a promising technology for sustainable agriculture and boosting food production in the world. Independently, cultural practices that utilize alternative agriculture strategies including organic cultivation subscribe to sustainable agriculture by limiting chemical usage and reduced tillage. How the two together affect fruit metabolism or plant growth in the field or whether they are compatible has not yet been tested. Fruit-specific yeast S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (ySAMdc) line 579HO, and a control line 556AZ were grown in leguminous hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) (HV) mulch and conventional black polyethylene (BP) mulch, and their fruit analysed. Significant genotype×mulch-dependent interactions on fruit phenotype were exemplified by differential profiles of 20 fruit metabolites such as amino acids, sugars, and organic acids. Expression patterns of the ySAMdc transgene, and tomato SAMdc, E8, PEPC, and ICDHc genes were compared between the two lines as a function of growth on either BP or HV mulch. HV mulch significantly stimulated the accumulation of asparagine, glutamate, glutamine, choline, and citrate concomitant with a decrease in glucose in the 556AZ fruits during ripening as compared to BP. It enables a metabolic system in tomato somewhat akin to the one in higher polyamine-accumulating transgenic fruit that have higher phytonutrient content. Finally, synergism was found between HV mulch and transgenic tomato in up-regulating N:C indicator genes PEPC and ICDHc in the fruit

Heritability estimates of first lactation 300-day milk yield under single versus multi-trait animal models in Phule Triveni cattle

First lactation records of 493 Phule Triveni cows sired by 55 bulls on production traits, viz. first lactation 300- day or less milk yield (FL300DMY), first lactation length (FLL), first dry period (FDP) and reproduction traits like age at first calving (AFC), first calving interval (FCI) and first service period (FSP) were used to compare the heritability estimates of FL300DMY under single-trait animal model (ST-AM) versus multi-trait animal models (MT-AM) in Phule Triveni cattle. Under two-trait models, the heritability estimate was found to be highest in FL300DMY-AFC combination as 0.34 ± 0.14. Under three-trait models, the heritability estimate was highest (0.33 ± 0.14) in FL300DMY- AFC- FDP combination. Under four-trait models, the highest estimate of heritability (0.53 ± 0.12) was in FL300DMY-FLL-AFC-FCI combination. Comparison of heritability estimates of FL300DMY from different models revealed that the estimates were varying from single to multiple traits in different combinations. The lowest residual variance (190566) and highest heritability (0.53 ± 0.12) of four-trait combination FL300DMY- FLL-AFC-FCI indicated that this four-trait combination should be used for selection of Phule Triveni cows

Quantifying spatio-temporal variation in aquaculture production areas in Satkhira, Bangladesh using geospatial and social survey

Despite Bangladesh being one of the leading countries in aquaculture food production worldwide, there is a considerable lack of updated scientific information about aquaculture activities in remote sites, making it difficult to manage sustainably. This study explored the use of geospatial and field data to monitor spatio-temporal changes in aquaculture production sites in the Satkhira district from 2017–2019. We used Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission digital elevation model (SRTM DEM) to locate aquaculture ponds based on the terrain elevation and slope. Radar backscatter information from the Sentinel-1 satellite, and different water indices derived from Sentinel-2 were used to assess the spatio-temporal extents of aquaculture areas. An image segmentation algorithm was applied to detect aquaculture ponds based on backscattering intensity, size and shape characteristics. Our results show that the highest number of aquaculture ponds were observed in January, with a size of more than 30,000 ha. Object-based image classification of Sentinel-1 data showed an overall accuracy above 80%. The key factors responsible for the variation in aquaculture were investigated using field surveys. We noticed that despite a significant number of aquaculture ponds in the study area, shrimp production and export are decreasing because of a lack of infrastructure, poor governance, and lack of awareness in the local communities. The result of this study can provide in-depth information about aquaculture areas, which is vital for policymakers and environmental administrators for successful aquaculture management in Satkhira, Bangladesh and other countries with similar issues

Genetic parameters of 305 days and monthly test-day milk yields in Murrah buffaloes

The present investigation was carried out using first lactation 9,071 monthly test-day milk yield records of 965 Murrah buffaloes that calved from 1977 to 2012 sired by 98 bulls maintained at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Mixed model analysis was carried out by least-squares maximum likelihood programme to study the effects of genetic and non-genetic factors on first lactation 305-day milk yield and monthly test-day (TD) milk yield records of Murrah buffaloes. The highest monthly test-day milk yield was observed in TD3 (7.64 kg) and lowest in TD10 (4.46 kg). The average first lactation 305 days or less milk yield (FL305DMY) was 1806.45±16.99 kg. The effect of season of calving, period of calving and age at first calving was highly significant on FL305DMY and on most of the monthly test-day milk yields. The heritability estimate for FL305DMY was 0.18±0.08 and for monthly test-day milk yields it ranged from 0.09 (TD6) to 0.18 (TD3). The genetic and phenotypic correlations among monthly test-day milk yields and with 305 days milk yield were highly significant. The present investigation revealed that the non-genetic factors such as season of calving in general and year of calving in particular, might be considered when performing an evaluation of Murrah buffaloes based on monthly test-day milk yield records. High genetic and phenotypic correlation among monthly test-day milk yields and with first lactation 305 days milk yield suggested that these test-day yields could be used as the selection criteria, leading to a reduction in generation interval