Impact of Climate Trends and Drought Events on the Growth of Oaks (Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) within and beyond Their Natural Range

Due to predicted climate change, it is important to know to what extent trees and forests will be impacted by chronic and episodic drought stress. As oaks play an important role in European forestry, this study focuses on the growth response of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur (L.)) under contrasting climatic conditions. Analyses cover both site conditions of their natural occurrence (Southern Germany and Northeast Italy) and site conditions beyond their natural range (South Africa). The sites beyond their natural range represent possible future climate conditions. Tree-ring series from three different sites were compared and analysed using dendrochronological methods. The long-term growth development of oak trees appears to be similar across the sites, yet the growth level over time is higher in the drier and warmer climate than in the temperate zone. When compared with previous growth periods, growth models reveal that oak trees grew more than expected during the last decades. A recent setback in growth can be observed, although growth is still higher than the model predicts. By focusing on the short-term reactions of the trees, distinct drought events and periods were discovered. In each climatic region, similar growth reactions developed after drought periods. A decline in growth rate occurred in the second or third year after the drought event. Oaks in South Africa are currently exposed to a warmer climate with more frequent drought events. This climatic condition is a future prediction also for Europe. In view of this climate change, we discuss the consequences of the long- and short- term growth behaviour of oaks grown in the climate of South Africa for a tree species selection that naturally occurs in Europe

Parallel targeted and non-targeted quantitative analysis of steroids in human serum and peritoneal fluid by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry

We developed and validated a liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry method for the absolute quantification of 51 steroids for clinical analysis of human serum and, for the first time, peritoneal fluid. Data acquisition was performed in both targeted and untargeted mode simultaneously, thus allowing the accurate and precise quantification of the main components of the classical steroid pathways (17 steroids) as well as the analysis of 34 additional non-classical steroids. For targeted analysis, validation was performed according to FDA guidelines, resulting, among other parameters, in accuracy < 13% RSD and precision < 10% relative error, for both inter- and intra-day validation runs. By establishing steroid-specific response factors, the calibration curves of the targeted analytes can be extended to untargeted analytes. This approach opens novel possibilities for the post hoc analysis of clinical samples as the data can be examined for virtually any steroid even after data acquisition, enabling facile absolute quantification once a standard becomes available. We demonstrate the applicability of the approach to evaluate the differences in steroid content between peripheral serum and peritoneal fluid across the menstrual cycle phases, as well as the effect of the synthetic gestagen dienogest on the steroid metabolome. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00216-022-03881-3

Experimental osteodystrophic diseases in goats

(1) Starvation proved to be an important factor in the development of bone atrophy in the case of two kids which received a ration low in calcium and high in phosphorus, where the CaO:P₂O₅ ratio was wide. (2) Clinical symptoms of rickets were observed only in a case where the phosphorus intake was low and that of calcium high, with a wide ratio. (3) When the calcium and phosphorus intakes were both low, their ratio being normal, the histological examination of the bone showed the presence of rickets. (4) The inhibition of normal growth, due to semi-starvation, resulted in the eventual development of bone atrophy and not osteofibrosis. Even rickets, which is more easily produced than osteofibrosis, in time gives way to atrophy in the presence of cessation of bone growth.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

The South African SHARE-TAVI registry: incidence and risk factors leading to conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker implantation

Background: One of the most common complications post transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the development of heart block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM). The incidence of PPM in international registries ranges from 13% - 17.5%. Methods: The aim of this observational study was to report the PPM rate in the SHARE-TAVI registry and determine the clinical, electrocardiographic and procedural predictors of PPM as well as the effect of PPM on clinical outcomes. Results: Three hundred and fi ve subjects were analysed. The PPM rate was 9%. Third degree atrioventricular block at the time of implant was the most common indication for PPM. Self-expanding valves (PPM rate 14% vs. 6% for balloon-expandable valves, p=0.02) were correlated with the need for PPM. Baseline ECG predictors of PPM were axis deviation, QRS duration and conduction delay, most notably a pre-existing right bundle branch block (OR 15.88, p&lt;0.01). PPM infl uenced functional class at 30 days, but not the need for repeat hospitalisation or mortality at 30-day and 1-year follow-up. Conclusions: A PPM rate lower than that reported in large international registries was found. Predictors of PPM and the infl uence of PPM on outcomes were similar to those reported in the international data

Oceanic three-dimensional Lagrangian Coherent Structures: A study of a mesoscale eddy in the Benguela ocean region

We study three dimensional oceanic Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) in the Benguela region, as obtained from an output of the ROMS model. To do that we first compute Finite-Size Lyapunov exponent (FSLE) fields in the region volume, characterizing mesoscale stirring and mixing. Average FSLE values show a general decreasing trend with depth, but there is a local maximum at about 100 m depth. LCSs are extracted as ridges of the calculated FSLE fields. They present a "curtain-like" geometry in which the strongest attracting and repelling structures appear as quasivertical surfaces. LCSs around a particular cyclonic eddy, pinched off from the upwelling front are also calculated. The LCSs are confirmed to provide pathways and barriers to transport in and out of the eddy

Crossing boundaries in conservation physiology

Abstract not available.Sean Tomlinson, Jodie L. Rummer, Kevin R. Hultine and Steven J. Cook

Linking scales and disciplines : an interdisciplinary cross-scale approach to supporting climate-relevant ecosystem management

CITATION: Berger, C. et al. 2019. Linking scales and disciplines : an interdisciplinary cross-scale approach to supporting climate-relevant ecosystem management. Climatic Change, 156:139–150, doi:10.1007/s10584-019-02544-0.The original publication is available at https://www.springer.com/journal/10584Southern Africa is particularly sensitive to climate change, due to both ecological and socioeconomic factors, with rural land users among the most vulnerable groups. The provision of information to support climate-relevant decision-making requires an understanding of the projected impacts of change and complex feedbacks within the local ecosystems, as well as local demands on ecosystem services. In this paper, we address the limitation of current approaches for developing management relevant socio-ecological information on the projected impacts of climate change and human activities.We emphasise the need for linking disciplines and approaches by expounding the methodology followed in our two consecutive projects. These projects combine disciplines and levels of measurements from the leaf level (ecophysiology) to the local landscape level (flux measurements) and from the local household level (socio-economic surveys) to the regional level (remote sensing), feeding into a variety of models at multiple scales. Interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and integrated socio-ecological approaches, as proposed here, are needed to compliment reductionist and linear, scalespecific approaches. Decision support systems are used to integrate and communicate the data and models to the local decision-makers.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-019-02544-0Publisher's versio

Footprints of palaeocurrents in sedimentary sequences of the Cenozoic across the Maurice Ewing Bank

High-resolution seismic reflection data across the Maurice Ewing Bank, the easternmost section of the Falkland/ Malvinas Plateau in the SW South Atlantic, is integrated with information from Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 36, Sites 327, 329, and 330 and Leg 71 Site 511. Five seismic units were identified ranging in age from the middle Jurassic to Quaternary and are interpreted with respect to the evolution of the oceanic circulation in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean in response to tectonic and climatic events. Sedimentary sequences of late Cretaceous and early Paleogene include little and restricted evidence of current activity, attributable to shallow/ intermediate-depth connections between the developing South Atlantic and the Southern Ocean. In contrast, sedimentary sequences of the late Eocene/Oligocene and Neogene reveal a history of strong current-related erosion and deposition. These features are identified in specific water-depth ranges and interpreted to document proto-Upper and -Lower Circumpolar Deep Waters to have shaped the bank since the Oligocene. The Maurice Ewing Bank bathymetric high thus has been acting as a barrier for the deep and bottom water masses flowing within the Antarctic Circumpolar Current since its establishment at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary. This study provides evidence for a multi-layered ocean already in the Paleocene/early Eocene

Resilience: New Utopia or New Tyranny? Reflection about the Potentials and Limits of the Concept of Resilience in Relation to Vulnerability Reduction Programmes

Resilience is becoming influential in development and vulnerability reduction sectors such as social protection, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Policy makers, donors and international development agencies are now increasingly referring to the term. In that context, the objective of this paper was to assess in a critical manner the advantages and limits of resilience. While the review highlights some positive elements –in particular the ability of the term to foster integrated approach across sectors– it also shows that resilience has important limitations. In particular it is not a pro-poor concept, and the objective of poverty reduction cannot simply be substituted by resilience building

Agroforestry : an appropriate and sustainable response to a changing climate in Southern Africa?

CITATION: Sheppard, Jonathan P. et al. 2020. Agroforestry : an appropriate and sustainable response to a changing climate in Southern Africa? Sustainability 12(17):6796, doi:10.3390/su12176796.The original publication is available at: https://www.mdpi.comENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agroforestry is often discussed as a strategy that can be used both for the adaptation to and the mitigation of climate change e ects. The climate of southern Africa is predicted to be severely a ected by such changes. With agriculture noted as the continent’s largest economic sector, issues such as food security and land degradation are in the forefront. In the light of such concerns we review the current literature to investigate if agroforestry systems (AFS) are a suitable response to the challenges besetting traditional agricultural caused by a changing climate. The benefits bestowed by AFS are multiple, o ering ecosystem services, influence over crop production and positive impacts on rural livelihoods through provisioning and income generation. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps remain. We identify outstanding questions requiring further investigation such as the interplay between trees and crops and their combination, with a discussion of potential benefits. Furthermore, we identify deficiencies in the institutional and policy frameworks that underlie the adoption and stimulus of AFS in the southern African region. We uphold the concept that AFS remains an appropriate and sustainable response for an increased resilience against a changing climate in southern Africa for the benefit of livelihoods and multiple environmental values.Publisher's versio