Assessment of groundwater extraction in the Tadla irrigated perimeter (Morocco) using the SSEBI remote sensing algorithm

In the Tadla irrigation perimeter, farmers supplement their irrigation supplies with groundwater, leading to water table depletion in the area. An additional concern is the deteriorating water quality in the area. There is no regulation to control withdrawals of groundwater, and no data are available to quantify groundwater use. The paper demonstrates a method based on remote sensing techniques and field observation data to estimate the ground water use for the 2006 hydrological year. Calculations show that for Tadla, average groundwater use amounts to around 55% of the surface irrigation water use. This is substantial, and requires immediate attention. Policy recommendations are needed to control the use of groundwater and to reach an integral management with the canal water. For exact calculations, data on groundwater levels are needed

Alternative polymerases in the maintenance of genome stability in C. elegans

In this thesis I describe the developmental role of the Y-family polymerases Pol Eta, Pol Kappa and Rev1 in protection against exogenous and endogenous damage in C. elegans. Furthermore I identify a new role for the A-family Polymerase Pol Theta in repair of replication-associated breaks.For printing of the thesis: Greiner Bio-OneUBL - phd migration 201

An experimental test to reveal negative side-effects of high treatability information on preventative health behaviour.

Objectives. When the course of a disease can be positively changed by health professionals the disease can be indicated as ‘highly treatable’. This ‘high treatability information’ (HTI) may have negative side-effects on people’s preventative motivation. This study examined the effects of HTI regarding skin cancer on preventative motivation. Design. This study employed a 2(high treatability(HTI) versus low treatability(LTI)) × 2(high versus low susceptibility)-experiment with a hanging control group. (family) History and self-efficacy were assessed as moderators. Participants (N =309) were randomly assigned to one of the five conditions. Main outcome measures. The main outcome was intention to engage in preventative actions regarding skin cancer. Results. HTI significantly lowered the intention compared to LTI, under the condition of high susceptibility in people with low self-efficacy. In addition, in people with a (family) history of skin cancer, HTI significantly lowered the intention compared to the no-information group. Conclusion. HTI regarding skin cancer can cause a drop in the preventative motivation. The effects can be conceptualized as negative side-effects of HTI. As substantial proportions of the general population have a (family) history of skin cancer or low self-efficacy, the side-effects may be widespread, possibly increasing the incidence of skin cancer

Financial knowledge and trust in financial institutions

Based on analysis of 14 years of data on Dutch consumers' trust in financial institutions, we find that financially literate consumers are more likely to trust banks, insurance companies and pension funds. This result applies both to broad-scope trust (trust in financial institutions in general) and narrow-scope trust (trust in one's own financial institution). Our conclusion holds when we use a financial literacy proxy based on self-assessed knowledge or a proxy based on actual knowledge. For all types of financial institutions researched, we find that narrow-scope trust is significantly higher than broad-scope trust, but both forms of trust are positively related. Financially knowledgeable people are more likely to trust managers of financial institutions and have more trust in the prudential supervisory authority. Finally, our results suggest that trust in the supervisory authority positively correlates with trust in the financial sector

Trust in financial institutions:A survey

Trust in financial institutions is widely considered important. However, a clear overview of studies on the drivers of trust is missing. We intend to fill this gap in the literature. After discussing why trust in financial institutions is important, we turn to its measurement, where we distinguish between trust in one's own institution and trust in institutions in general (narrow-scope and broad-scope trust), and discuss how these measures differ from generalized trust (i.e. trust in other people with whom there is no direct relationship). Finally, we survey the determinants of trust in financial institutions and discuss a wide range of drivers. First, trust in financial institutions depends on the economic situation: it behaves procyclically and is negatively affected by financial crises. Second, the behavior of financial institutions matters: prudent conduct, the provision of good services and financial health have a positive effect on trust. Third, although consumer characteristics also relate to trust, many of these relationships are context-dependent. Fourth, there is a positive association between narrow-scope trust on the one hand and broad-scope trust and generalized trust on the other. Last, policy measures and supervisory actions can help prevent loss of trust

Drought risk reduction

Due to the shortage of water resources and its inhomogeneous distribution in space and time, large scale droughts occur frequently all over the world. Consequently, drought has become a key factor constraining the economic development and threatening the food security. This report describes the results of the Drought Risk Reduction project, which aimed at creating an integrated system for the monitoring and evaluation of drought at continental scale. A prototype operational system has been developed by combining remote sensing algorithms (SEBS) with a crop growth model (Rotask) in a data assimilation framework (Ensemble Kalman filter). The developed techniques are tested and partly implemented in the current drought forecasting system of Chin

A Broad Requirement for TLS Polymerases η and κ, and Interacting Sumoylation and Nuclear Pore Proteins, in Lesion Bypass during C. elegans Embryogenesis

Translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerases are specialized DNA polymerases capable of inserting nucleotides opposite DNA lesions that escape removal by dedicated DNA repair pathways. TLS polymerases allow cells to complete DNA replication in the presence of damage, thereby preventing checkpoint activation, genome instability, and cell death. Here, we characterize functional knockouts for polh-1 and polk-1, encoding the Caenorhabditis elegans homologs of the Y-family TLS polymerases η and κ. POLH-1 acts at many different DNA lesions as it protects cells against a wide range of DNA damaging agents, including UV, γ-irradiation, cisplatin, and methyl methane sulphonate (MMS). POLK-1 acts specifically but redundantly with POLH-1 in protection against methylation damage. Importantly, both polymerases play a prominent role early in embryonic development to allow fast replication of damaged genomes. Contrary to observations in mammalian cells, we show that neither POLH-1 nor POLK-1 is required for homologous recombination (HR) repair of DNA double-strand breaks. A genome-wide RNAi screen for genes that protect the C. elegans genome against MMS–induced DNA damage identified novel components in DNA damage bypass in the early embryo. Our data suggest SUMO-mediated regulation of both POLH-1 and POLK-1, and point towards a previously unrecognized role of the nuclear pore in regulating TLS

Methodology proposal for estimation of carbon storage in urban green areas

Methodology proposal for estimation of carbon storage in urban green areas; final report. Subtitle: Final report of task Task 262-5-6 "Carbon sequestration in urban green infrastructure" Project manager Marie Cugny-Seguin. Date: 15-10-201