What we know about gender and rural climate services: Preliminary findings and guidance

This brief summarizes preliminary findings and recommendations from an ongoing review of literature and CCAFS experience on gender-related challenges in empowering smallholder farming communities through climate services

Nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics during decomposition of multiple litter types in temperate coniferous forests

Litter nutrient dynamics contribute significantly to biogeochemical cycling in forest ecosystems. These dynamics may be influenced by site attributes, litter nutrient concentrations, and soil nutrient availability either independently or synergistically. Litter nutrient dynamics were examined in two decomposition studies in temperate coniferous forests of Oregon. I used ¹⁵N-labelled litter of three species in a comparative study of how site environment and initial substrate quality influence decomposition and nitrogen (N) dynamics of fresh foliage, fine roots, and twigs at Cascade Head Experimental Forest and H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest. There were no site differences with respect to N dynamics, and N mineralization patterns were species-specific. Although N immobilization did occur early in the decomposition process, the general trend for all litter was net N mineralization throughout the study without a net N immobilization phase. For several litter x species combinations the difference between gross N mineralization and net N mineralization was significant, with gross N mineralization ~7 to 20% greater than net mineralization. These results suggest that initial litter chemistry is a more important driver than site environmental differences of the N dynamics associated with decomposition. I also assessed whether litter phosphorus (P) concentrations and soil P availability influenced decomposition rates and litter nutrient dynamics in N-rich Douglas-fir forests in the Oregon Coast Range using a factorial P fertilization experiment. Over the course of 2 years, fresh foliage, fine root, and twig litter from Douglas-fir seedlings were decomposed at three sites. Litter mineralized P at a rapid rate early in the decomposition process compared to N, which was mineralized more slowly or immobilized. Decomposition rates and mineralization of N and P were strongly correlated with initial litter chemistry. Initial litter element ratios between control and P-fertilized litter differed, but over the 2 years element ratios (C:N, C:P, N:P) converged to similar values across treatments. These studies confirm that net mineralization of N and P may occur early in the decomposition process and that litter may decompose without exhibiting a net N immobilization phase. Further, initial litter nutrient concentrations and element ratios may be important predictors of nutrient transformations during decomposition

Relation of Structure to the Microhardness of Human Dentin

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66589/2/10.1177_00220345590380032701.pd

Serum levels of soluble forms of T cell activation antigens CD27 and CD25 in systemic lupus erythematosus in relation with lymphocytes count and disease course

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are characterized by a low lymphocyte count, which is considered a specific disease marker and is related to disease activity. The membrane bound molecules CD25 and CD27 are expressed and released in a soluble CD25 (sCD25) and soluble CD27 (sCD27) form by activation of predominantly T cells. In previous studies it was claimed that sCD25 as well sCD27 might be used as parameters for activation of the immune system; a correlation between the sCD25 profile with the disease course in SLE patients was also shown. To assess the relationship between lymphocyte count and these T cell activation markers, we performed a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study. In the longitudinal study three SLE patients who were known for a long time at our outpatient clinic were studied. Both T cell markers strongly correlated with each other and formed a reflection of the disease course. In all 7 periods of exacerbation, which we observed in the 3 investigated patients, both levels increased preceding this period; however, no correlation was found with the lymphocyte count. In the cross sectional study of 69 patients with SLE, sCD25 and sCD27 levels were correlated with defined disease manifestations; sCD25 was elevated in all periods of increased disease activity. The same holds true for sCD27, with the exception of patients with nephritis in which the highest levels were observed. Both profiles of sCD25 and sCD27 were strongly correlated during the whole disease course. Our data prove that in the pathogenesis of SLE an active recruitement of unprimed and primed T cells takes place

An aldose reductase inhibitor reverses early diabetes‐induced changes in peripheral nerve function, metabolism, and antioxidative defense

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154366/1/fsb2fj010603fje-sup-0001.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154366/2/fsb2fj010603fje.pd

Evaluation of α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist on diabetes‐induced changes in peripheral nerve function, metabolism, and antioxidative defense

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154412/1/fsb2fj990803com.pd

Strategies for achieving gender-responsive climate services

Rural climate services can provide benefits to both women and men by addressing gender-based challenges that prevent access to and action on weather and climate information. Working with women’s groups and identifying gender-based preferences for use of information and communication technologies (ICT) can be important pathways to enhance women’s access to communication channels. To address gender-based access constraints, it is important that interventions include partners experienced in promoting gender equality in decision-making spaces. It is critical to provide weather and climate information that is relevant to both women and men farmers’ needs. Collaboration with rural development initiatives that promote women’s empowerment can be key to supporting women farmers who may have limited capacity to act on information

Identifying Pathways for More Gender-Sensitive Communication Channels in Climate Services

Access to accurate and useful climate-related information is a prerequisite for smallholder farmers to use and benefit from climate services with respect to both agricultural and livelihood decision-making. Whether or not farmers access particular climate-related information products is determined by the types of information products that the national meteorological service and other providers make available, by access to the communication channels used to disseminate information, and by demand for the information. Gender-based factors can influence differing access to communication channels for women and men. The present brief highlights some of these key challenges to achieving socially inclusive access to weather and climate information, and presents promising pathways for developing gender-sensitive communication channels in climate services

Decomposition and nitrogen dynamics of ¹⁵N‑labeled leaf, root, and twig litter in temperate coniferous forests

Litter nutrient dynamics contribute significantly to biogeochemical cycling in forest ecosystems. We examined how site environment and initial substrate quality influence decomposition and nitrogen (N) dynamics of multiple litter types. A 2.5-year decomposition study was installed in the Oregon Coast Range and West Cascades using ¹⁵N-labeled litter from Acer macrophyllum, Picea sitchensis, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Mass loss for leaf litter was similar between the two sites, while root and twig litter exhibited greater mass loss in the Coast Range. Mass loss was greatest from leaves and roots, and species differences in mass loss were more prominent in the Coast Range. All litter types and species mineralized N early in the decomposition process; only A. macrophyllum leaves exhibited a net N immobilization phase. There were no site differences with respect to litter N dynamics despite differences in site N availability, and litter N mineralization patterns were species-specific. For multiple litter × species combinations, the difference between gross and net N mineralization was significant, and gross mineralization was 7–20% greater than net mineralization. The mineralization results suggest that initial litter chemistry may be an important driver of litter N dynamics. Our study demonstrates that greater amounts of N are cycling through these systems than may be quantified by only measuring net mineralization and challenges current leaf-based biogeochemical theory regarding patterns of N immobilization and mineralization.Keywords: Gross mineralization, Immobilization, Soil, Integrated decomposition rate, Litter chemistryKeywords: Gross mineralization, Immobilization, Soil, Integrated decomposition rate, Litter chemistr