323 research outputs found
Plantio comprobatório de canjarana (Cabralea canjerana subsp. canjerana).
bitstream/item/101394/1/PA-1999-Carvalho-PlantioComprobatorio.pd
Climate pattern-scaling set for an ensemble of 22 GCMs – adding uncertainty to the IMOGEN version 2.0 impact system
Global circulation models (GCMs) are the best tool to understand climate change, as they attempt to represent all the important Earth system processes, including anthropogenic perturbation through fossil fuel burning. However, GCMs are computationally very expensive, which limits the number of simulations that can be made. Pattern scaling is an emulation technique that takes advantage of the fact that local and seasonal changes in surface climate are often approximately linear in the rate of warming over land and across the globe. This allows interpolation away from a limited number of available GCM simulations, to assess alternative future emissions scenarios. In this paper, we present a climate pattern-scaling set consisting of spatial climate change patterns along with parameters for an energy-balance model that calculates the amount of global warming. The set, available for download, is derived from 22 GCMs of the WCRP CMIP3 database, setting the basis for similar eventual pattern development for the CMIP5 and forthcoming CMIP6 ensemble. Critically, it extends the use of the IMOGEN (Integrated Model Of Global Effects of climatic aNomalies) framework to enable scanning across full uncertainty in GCMs for impact studies. Across models, the presented climate patterns represent consistent global mean trends, with a maximum of 4 (out of 22) GCMs exhibiting the opposite sign to the global trend per variable (relative humidity). The described new climate regimes are generally warmer, wetter (but with less snowfall), cloudier and windier, and have decreased relative humidity. Overall, when averaging individual performance across all variables, and without considering co-variance, the patterns explain one-third of regional change in decadal averages (mean percentage variance explained, PVE, 34.25 ± 5.21), but the signal in some models exhibits much more linearity (e.g. MIROC3.2(hires): 41.53) than in others (GISS_ER: 22.67). The two most often considered variables, near-surface temperature and precipitation, have a PVE of 85.44 ± 4.37 and 14.98 ± 4.61, respectively. We also provide an example assessment of a terrestrial impact (changes in mean runoff) and compare projections by the IMOGEN system, which has one land surface model, against direct GCM outputs, which all have alternative representations of land functioning. The latter is noted as an additional source of uncertainty. Finally, current and potential future applications of the IMOGEN version 2.0 modelling system in the areas of ecosystem modelling and climate change impact assessment are presented and discussed
The cancer gene WWOX behaves as an inhibitor of SMAD3 transcriptional activity via direct binding
Background: The WW domain containing protein WWOX has been postulated to behave as a tumor suppressor in breast and other cancers. Expression of this protein is lost in over 70% of ER negative tumors. This prompted us to investigate the phenotypic and gene expression effects of loss of WWOX expression in breast cells. Methods: Gene expression microarrays and standard in vitro assays were performed on stably silenced WWOX (shRNA) normal breast cells. Bioinformatic analyses were used to identify gene networks and transcriptional regulators affected by WWOX silencing. Co-immunoprecipitations and GST-pulldowns were used to demonstrate a direct interaction between WWOX and SMAD3. Reporter assays, ChIP, confocal microscopy and in silico analyses were employed to determine the effect of WWOX silencing on TGFβ-signaling. Results: WWOX silencing affected cell proliferation, motility, attachment and deregulated expression of genes involved in cell cycle, motility and DNA damage. Interestingly, we detected an enrichment of targets activated by the SMAD3 transcription factor, including significant upregulation of ANGPTL4, FST, PTHLH and SERPINE1 transcripts. Importantly, we demonstrate that the WWOX protein physically interacts with SMAD3 via WW domain 1. Furthermore, WWOX expression dramatically decreases SMAD3 occupancy at the ANGPTL4 and SERPINE1 promoters and significantly quenches activation of a TGFβ responsive reporter. Additionally, WWOX expression leads to redistribution of SMAD3 from the nuclear to the cytoplasmic compartment. Since the TGFβ target ANGPTL4 plays a key role in lung metastasis development, we performed a meta-analysis of ANGPTL4 expression relative to WWOX in microarray datasets from breast carcinomas. We observed a significant inverse correlation between WWOX and ANGPTL4. Furthermore, the WWOXlo/ANGPTL4hi cluster of breast tumors is enriched in triple-negative and basal-like sub-types. Tumors with this gene expression signature could represent candidates for anti-TGFβ targeted therapies. Conclusions: We show for the first time that WWOX modulates SMAD3 signaling in breast cells via direct WW-domain mediated binding and potential cytoplasmic sequestration of SMAD3 protein. Since loss of WWOX expression increases with breast cancer progression and it behaves as an inhibitor of SMAD3 transcriptional activity these observations may help explain, at least in part, the paradoxical pro-tumorigenic effects of TGFβ signaling in advanced breast cancer.Fil: Ferguson, Brent W.. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Gao, Xinsheng. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Zelazowski, Maciej J.. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Lee, Jaeho. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Jeter, Collene R.. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Abba, Martín Carlos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Centro de Investigaciones Inmunológicas Básicas y Aplicadas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aldaz, Claudio Marcelo. University of Texas; Estados Unido
The Usage of ROOT for Online Monitoring in the ALICE DATE System
Presentation for CHEP2000Data Acquisition systems for HEP applications need constant monitoring (online and offline) of their data streams to accomplish several tasks: quality checking, tuning, statistics, pre-analysis. Monitoring tasks can and should use the same tools as data analysis products (conventions, libraries, environments) to reduce training, installation, development and support efforts and -at the same time - to strengthen the liaison between the online and the offline worlds. The ALICE DATE Data Acquisition system available today for R&D and for test beams is fully integrated with the ROOT environment. A simple DAQ-oriented approach and a more complex OO-based model have been developed to allow a variety of programming paradigms and to validate the complete life cycle of monitoring tools, both for online and offline environments
Stress induced polarization of immune-neuroendocrine phenotypes in Gallus gallus
Immune-neuroendocrine phenotypes (INPs) stand for population subgroups differing in immune-neuroendocrine interactions. While mammalian INPs have been characterized thoroughly in rats and humans, avian INPs were only recently described in Coturnix coturnix (quail). To assess the scope of this biological phenomenon, herein we characterized INPs in Gallus gallus (a domestic hen strain submitted to a very long history of strong selective breeding pressure) and evaluated whether a social chronic stress challenge modulates the individuals’ interplay affecting the INP subsets and distribution. Evaluating plasmatic basal corticosterone, interferon-γ and interleukin-4 concentrations, innate/acquired leukocyte ratio, PHA-P skin-swelling and induced antibody responses, two opposite INP profiles were found: LEWIS-like (15% of the population) and FISCHER-like (16%) hens. After chronic stress, an increment of about 12% in each polarized INP frequency was found at expenses of a reduction in the number of birds with intermediate responses. Results show that polarized INPs are also a phenomenon occurring in hens. The observed inter-individual variation suggest that, even after a considerable selection process, the population is still well prepared to deal with a variety of immune-neuroendocrine challenges. Stress promoted disruptive effects, leading to a more balanced INPs distribution, which represents a new substrate for challenging situations.Fil: Nazar, Franco Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Estevez, Inma. Centro de Investigación. Neiker - Tecnalia; EspañaFil: Correa, Silvia Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Marin, Raul Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentin
Estudio de obra y propuesta de conservación de una pintura sobre tabla del S. XIX
[EN] The objective of this final work is the study and proposal of intervention, of a painting on wood. The theme of the work is a still life Dutch-inspired. It dates back to the work of the 19th century. It comes from a gallery located in the barrio del Carmen in Valencia. It presents a regular condition. It has hemming in the back, this being a system of structural reinforcement very common from the
end of the 18th century, considered over a long period of time as a seal of quality of the Works. It presents a darkened varnish, applied with the intention of evoking an aged appearance of the age of this work as this also very common practice in the 19th century. Finally, the work has a Baroque gold frame. It have damage in the reliefs, as well as an inappropriate restraint system and work.El objetivo de este trabajo de fin de grado es el estudio y propuesta de intervención de una pintura sobre tabla. La temática de la obra es un bodegón inspirado en el estilo holandés, realizada en el s.XIX, y que proviene de una galería situada en el barrio del Carmen de Valencia. Presenta un estado de conservación aceptable. Posee un engatillado en la parte posterior, siendo este un sistema de refuerzo estructural muy común a partir del s. XVIII, considerado durante un largo periodo de tiempo como sello de calidad de las obras. Presenta un barniz oscurecido, aplicado con la intención de evocar un aspecto envejecido, impropio de la edad de esta obra, siendo esta práctica también muy habitual en el s. XIX. Para finalizar, la obra posee un marco de estilo barroco, dorado, con una pátina coloreada. Presenta desperfectos en los relieves, además de un inadecuado sistema sujeción de la obra.TFG
Anticipated climate and land-cover changes reveal refuge areas for Borneo's orang-utans
Habitat loss and climate change pose a double jeopardy for many threatened taxa, making the identification of optimal
habitat for the future a conservation priority. Using a case study of the endangered Bornean orang-utan, we identify
environmental refuges by integrating bioclimatic models with projected deforestation and oil-palm agriculture
suitability from the 1950s to 2080s. We coupled a maximum entropy algorithm with information on habitat needs to
predict suitable habitat for the present day and 1950s. We then projected to the 2020s, 2050s and 2080s in models
incorporating only land-cover change, climate change or both processes combined. For future climate, we incorporated
projections from four model and emission scenario combinations. For future land cover, we developed spatial
deforestation predictions from 10 years of satellite data. Refuges were delineated as suitable forested habitats identified
by all models that were also unsuitable for oil palm – a major threat to tropical biodiversity. Our analyses indicate
that in 2010 up to 260 000 km2 of Borneo was suitable habitat within the core orang-utan range; an 18–24%
reduction since the 1950s. Land-cover models predicted further decline of 15–30% by the 2080s. Although habitat
extent under future climate conditions varied among projections, there was majority consensus, particularly in northeastern
and western regions. Across projections habitat loss due to climate change alone averaged 63% by 2080, but
74% when also considering land-cover change. Refuge areas amounted to 2000–42 000 km2 depending on thresholds
used, with 900–17 000 km2 outside the current species range. We demonstrate that efforts to halt deforestation could
mediate some orang-utan habitat loss, but further decline of the most suitable areas is to be expected given projected
changes to climate. Protected refuge areas could therefore become increasingly important for ongoing translocation
efforts. We present an approach to help identify such areas for highly threatened species given environmental
changes expected this century
Heads in the cloud:innovation in data and model dissemination
Utilising environmental data to better support decision making is a complex task. The Environmental Virtual Observatory pilot project has demonstrated that a multidisciplinary approach to making integrated data and modelling services available via new cloud technologies offers a way forward
Global-scale climate impact functions: the relationship between climate forcing and impact
Although there is a strong policy interest in the impacts of climate change corresponding to different degrees of climate change, there is so far little consistent empirical evidence of the relationship between climate forcing and impact. This is because the vast majority of impact assessments use emissions-based scenarios with associated socio-economic assumptions, and it is not feasible to infer impacts at other temperature changes by interpolation. This paper presents an assessment of the global-scale impacts of climate change in 2050 corresponding to defined increases in global mean temperature, using spatially-explicit impacts models representing impacts in the water resources, river flooding, coastal, agriculture, ecosystem and built environment sectors. Pattern-scaling is used to construct climate scenarios associated with specific changes in global mean surface temperature, and a relationship between temperature and sea level used to construct sea level rise scenarios. Climate scenarios are constructed from 21 climate models to give an indication of the uncertainty between forcing and response. The analysis shows that there is considerable uncertainty in the impacts associated with a given increase in global mean temperature, due largely to uncertainty in the projected regional change in precipitation. This has important policy implications. There is evidence for some sectors of a non-linear relationship between global mean temperature change and impact, due to the changing relative importance of temperature and precipitation change. In the socio-economic sectors considered here, the relationships are reasonably consistent between socio-economic scenarios if impacts are expressed in proportional terms, but there can be large differences in absolute terms. There are a number of caveats with the approach, including the use of pattern-scaling to construct scenarios, the use of one impacts model per sector, and the sensitivity of the shape of the relationships between forcing and response to the definition of the impact indicator
Predicting bird phenology from space: satellite-derived vegetation green-up signal uncovers spatial variation in phenological synchrony between birds and their environment
Population-level studies of how tit species (Parus spp.) track the changing phenology of their caterpillar food source have provided a model system allowing inference into how populations can adjust to changing climates, but are often limited because they implicitly assume all individuals experience similar environments. Ecologists are increasingly using satellite-derived data to quantify aspects of animals' environments, but so far studies examining phenology have generally done so at large spatial scales. Considering the scale at which individuals experience their environment is likely to be key if we are to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes acting on reproductive phenology within populations. Here, we use time series of satellite images, with a resolution of 240 m, to quantify spatial variation in vegetation green-up for a 385-ha mixed-deciduous woodland. Using data spanning 13 years, we demonstrate that annual population-level measures of the timing of peak abundance of winter moth larvae (Operophtera brumata) and the timing of egg laying in great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) is related to satellite-derived spring vegetation phenology. We go on to show that timing of local vegetation green-up significantly explained individual differences in tit reproductive phenology within the population, and that the degree of synchrony between bird and vegetation phenology showed marked spatial variation across the woodland. Areas of high oak tree (Quercus robur) and hazel (Corylus avellana) density showed the strongest match between remote-sensed vegetation phenology and reproductive phenology in both species. Marked within-population variation in the extent to which phenology of different trophic levels match suggests that more attention should be given to small-scale processes when exploring the causes and consequences of phenological matching. We discuss how use of remotely sensed data to study within-population variation could broaden the scale and scope of studies exploring phenological synchrony between organisms and their environment
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