Variations and Parallels in Climate Change-Induced Migration Models: Customary Land Tenure in Francophone Pacific Islands

It is tempting to assume that across all Pacific Islands, potential climate change-induced migration (PCCIM) due to sea-level rise can be approached in a unified manner. However, the diversity of the Pacific Islands requires an in-depth analysis in order to establish culturally coherent migration models. The possibilities and limits that customary land tenure can offer in this context on islands of the three Pacific French overseas territories Wallis & Futuna (Wallis, Futuna), French Polynesia (Rangiroa) and New Caledonia (Lifou) are analysed through four lenses: the intergenerational transfer of land rights, the distribution of land plots (geographically and between families), the extent of power exercised by customary authorities, and the different types of ownership or usufruct. The examination of common threads and variations shows that guiding principles (access to land in the interior of a respective island, strength of land rights on a certain plot, infrastructure issues, concepts of mobility, importance of primary land ownership, importance of primogeniture, and potential inter-island access) are shared to different degrees across the islands. The fourfold matrix allows a robust analysis of the possibilities in the context of PCCIM in different locations through examining parallels, differences, advantages, and disadvantages of the different systems

Verallgemeinerte Tikhonov-Regularisierung: Topologische Aspekte und notwendige Bedingungen

A central point in the theory of inverse problems is describing nearness in the data space. Based on the assumption that describing nearness and convergence in terms of real valued functionals, this thesis discusses prametrics as similarity measure and studies properties of thereby constructed sequential convergence structures and topologies. In particular, it pursues the question, when the sequential convergence structure induced by a prametric is topological. In this case the prametric topology is maximal amongst all inducing topologies. In addition, the present thesis aims at necessary conditions to form a Tikhonov type regularization method from the involved mathematical objects. As preliminary work, essential terms are adapted to a mixed setting of sequential convergence spaces and topological spaces. Further, a standard set of sufficient conditions is extended to sequential convergence spaces and it is studied, when these conditions are satisfiable in a purely topological setting. There for so called bottom slice topologies are constructed, which are themselves promising candidates for a data space topology. Finally a closer look on the example of Bregman distance based Bregman prametrics is taken.Ein zentraler Punkt in der Theorie inverser Probleme ist die Beschreibung von Nähe im Datenraum. Ausgehend von der These, dass eine Beschreibung von Nähe und Konvergenz durch reellwertige Funktionale wünschenswert ist, werden Prametriken als Ähnlichkeitsmaß diskutiert und Eigenschaften daraus konstruierter sequentieller Konvergenzstrukturen und Topologien untersucht. Insbesondere wird der Frage nachgegangen, wann die von einer Prametrik induzierte sequentielle Konvergenzstruktur topologisch ist. In diesem Fall ist die prametrische Topologie eine maximale induzierende Topologie. Weiter zielt die Arbeit auf notwendige Bedingungen an Diskrepanz- und Regularisierungsfunktional, sowie topologische Strukturen auf Urbild- und Datenraum ab, um daraus ein Regularisierungsverfahren vom Tikhonov-Typ realisieren zu können. Als Vorarbeit dazu werden hierfür zentrale Begriffe an ein gemischtes Setting aus Topologien und sequentiellen Konvergenzräumen adaptiert. Des Weiteren wird ein Satz von hinreichenden Standardbedingungen für von Prametriken induzierte sequentielle Konvergenzstrukturen im Datenraum erweitert und dessen Erfüllbarkeit in einem rein topologische Rahmen untersucht. Dafür werden sogenannte Bottom-Slice-Topologien konstruiert, die auch für sich selbst als Kandidaten Topologien auf dem Datenraum interessant sind. Abschließend werden auf verallgemeinerten Bregmanabständen basierende Bregmanprametriken näher untersucht

The genome of the protozoan parasite Cystoisospora suis and a reverse vaccinology approach to identify vaccine candidates

Vaccine development targeting protozoan parasites remains challenging, partly due to the complex interactions between these eukaryotes and the host immune system. Reverse vaccinology is a promising approach for direct screening of genome sequence assemblies for new vaccine candidate proteins. Here, we applied this paradigm to Cystoisospora suis, an apicomplexan parasite that causes enteritis and diarrhea in suckling piglets and economic losses in pig production worldwide. Using Next Generation Sequencing we produced an ∼84 Mb sequence assembly for the C. suis genome, making it the first available reference for the genus Cystoisospora. Then, we derived a manually curated annotation of more than 11,000 protein-coding genes and applied the tool Vacceed to identify 1,168 vaccine candidates by screening the predicted C. suis proteome. To refine the set of candidates, we looked at proteins that are highly expressed in merozoites and specific to apicomplexans. The stringent set of candidates included 220 proteins, among which were 152 proteins with unknown function, 17 surface antigens of the SAG and SRS gene families, 12 proteins of the apicomplexan-specific secretory organelles including AMA1, MIC6, MIC13, ROP6, ROP12, ROP27, ROP32 and three proteins related to cell adhesion. Finally, we demonstrated in vitro the immunogenic potential of a C. suis-specific 42 kDa transmembrane protein, which might constitute an attractive candidate for further testing

Fussing About Fission: Defining Variety Among Mainstream and Exotic Apicomplexan Cell Division Modes

Cellular reproduction defines life, yet our textbook-level understanding of cell division is limited to a small number of model organisms centered around humans. The horizon on cell division variants is expanded here by advancing insights on the fascinating cell division modes found in the Apicomplexa, a key group of protozoan parasites. The Apicomplexa display remarkable variation in offspring number, whether karyokinesis follows each S/M-phase or not, and whether daughter cells bud in the cytoplasm or bud from the cortex. We find that the terminology used to describe the various manifestations of asexual apicomplexan cell division emphasizes either the number of offspring or site of budding, which are not directly comparable features and has led to confusion in the literature. Division modes have been primarily studied in two human pathogenic Apicomplexa, malaria-causing Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, a major cause of opportunistic infections. Plasmodium spp. divide asexually by schizogony, producing multiple daughters per division round through a cortical budding process, though at several life-cycle nuclear amplifications stages, are not followed by karyokinesis. T. gondii divides by endodyogeny producing two internally budding daughters per division round. Here we add to this diversity in replication mechanisms by considering the cattle parasite Babesia bigemina and the pig parasite Cystoisospora suis. B. bigemina produces two daughters per division round by a “binary fission” mechanism whereas C. suis produces daughters through both endodyogeny and multiple internal budding known as endopolygeny. In addition, we provide new data from the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), Sarcocystis neurona, which also undergoes endopolygeny but differs from C. suis by maintaining a single multiploid nucleus. Overall, we operationally define two principally different division modes: internal budding found in cyst-forming Coccidia (comprising endodyogeny and two forms of endopolygeny) and external budding found in the other parasites studied (comprising the two forms of schizogony, binary fission and multiple fission). Progressive insights into the principles defining the molecular and cellular requirements for internal vs. external budding, as well as variations encountered in sexual stages are discussed. The evolutionary pressures and mechanisms underlying apicomplexan cell division diversification carries relevance across Eukaryota

Necessary conditions for variational regularization schemes

We study variational regularization methods in a general framework, more precisely those methods that use a discrepancy and a regularization functional. While several sets of sufficient conditions are known to obtain a regularization method, we start with an investigation of the converse question: How could necessary conditions for a variational method to provide a regularization method look like? To this end, we formalize the notion of a variational scheme and start with comparison of three different instances of variational methods. Then we focus on the data space model and investigate the role and interplay of the topological structure, the convergence notion and the discrepancy functional. Especially, we deduce necessary conditions for the discrepancy functional to fulfill usual continuity assumptions. The results are applied to discrepancy functionals given by Bregman distances and especially to the Kullback-Leibler divergence.Comment: To appear in Inverse Problem

Pacific island regional preparedness for El Niño

The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle is often blamed for disasters in Pacific island communities. From a disaster risk reduction (DRR) perspective, the challenges with the El Niño part of the ENSO cycle, in particular, are more related to inadequate vulnerability reduction within development than to ENSO-induced hazard influences. This paper analyses this situation, filling in a conceptual and geographic gap in El Niño-related research, by reviewing El Niño-related preparedness (the conceptual gap) for Pacific islands (the geographic gap). Through exploring El Niño impacts on Pacific island communities alongside their vulnerabilities, resiliences, and preparedness with respect to El Niño, El Niño is seen as a constructed discourse rather than as a damaging phenomenon, leading to suggestions for El Niño preparedness as DRR as part of development. Yet the attention which El Niño garners might bring resources to the Pacific region and its development needs, albeit in the short term while El Niño lasts. Conversely, the attention given to El Niño could shift blame from underlying causes of vulnerability to a hazard-centric viewpoint. Instead of focusing on one hazard-influencing phenomenon, opportunities should be created for the Pacific region to tackle wider DRR and development concerns

La vision de l’espace littoral sur l’île Wallis et l’atoll Rangiroa dans le contexte du changement climatique : Une analyse anthropologique de la perception des populations locales

Diese Dissertation analysiert die Wahrnehmung von lokalem Wandel, und im Speziellen des Klimawandels. Die beiden untersuchten Felder sind die Insel Wallis (Wallis und Futuna) und das Atoll Rangiroa (Französisch Polynesien). Dieseunterscheiden sich hinsichtlich ihrer Geomorphologie und ihrer Sozialorganisation, jedoch sind sie beide Teil der französischen Überseegebiete im Südpazifik und der Kulturregion Polynesien.Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Sichtweise der lokalen Bevölkerung betreffend aktueller und zukünftiger Veränderungen zu verstehen. Die Analyse, basierend auf den Methoden der Anthropologie, definiert vier Indikatoren: Der Indikator „Raum“ steht für die örtliche Raumwahrnehmung, den Residenzmodus, Landverwaltung und Migration.Der Indikator „Ressourcen“ identifiziert wichtige Dynamiken im Zusammenhang mit dem Sandabbau an den Küsten, der Stranderosion und der Errichtung von Ufermauern. Der Indikator „Katastrophen“ behandelt Zyklone und Tsunamis, welche Hinweise geben können auf die lokale Wahrnehmung von potentiellen Gefahren auf Grund von Naturkatastrophen. Der letzte Indikator, „soziale Gegebenheiten“, beschreibt die lokale Auffassung des Konzepts „Klimawandel“ und dessen wissenschaftlichen Diskurs, die Rolle der Medien und der Politik, sowie lokale Umweltbeobachtungen und derenInterpretation. Außerdem werden Zukunftsszenarien im Zusammenhang mit einem ansteigenden Meeresspiegel gezeichnet.Am Beginn dieser Arbeit standen Fragestellungen von Spezialisten der Küstenraumplanung, die einerseits ein besseres Verständnis der lokalen Konzeptionen des Küstenraumes wünschten, und andererseits Mittel und Wege suchten, um die lokale Akzeptanz ihrer Ideen und Aktionen betreffend der Raumplanung zu erhöhen. Im Kontext Ozeaniens ist die Verwaltung des Küstenraumes sehr komplex und unterschiedlich verglichen mit westlichen Verwaltungskonzepten. Das Ziel dieser Analysen war also eine verbesserte Kommunikation aller Beteiligten, um weitere Zerstörungen dieses Lebensraumes, welcher lebenswichtig für die betroffenen Bevölkerungen ist, zu verhindern.The focus of this thesis is environmental change or, more precisely, climate change. The two study areas are Wallis Island (Wallis and Futuna) and the Rangiroa Atoll (French Polynesia). They have a different geomorphology and social organisationeven though both of them are part of the francophone islands in the Pacific and the cultural region of Polynesia.The study aims to gain an understanding of the local view of current change and future changes expected by scientists. This work is based on four indicators and was developed with the methods of anthropology. The indicator ‘space’ reveals a great deal about the real perception of space on these islands, about residence, land tenure and migration. The indicator ‘resources’ was used to analyse the dynamics of beach sand mining, beach erosion and the construction of protective sea walls. The indicator ‘disasters’ covers cyclones and tsunamis and the perception of potential dangers linked to natural hazards. The last indicator, ‘social conditions’, describes the local understanding of climate change and its scientific discourse, the role of media and politics. The thesis also analyses the locals’ observations of the environment and theirinterpretation, which is strongly linked to the different representations of the subject. It ends with a description of scenarios of a future sea level rise. Work on the thesis started from issues raised by specialists of coastal development planning. They needed a deeper understanding of the local population’s perception of the coastal area and they were looking for indications of what would make the locals accept the proposals of the planners. In the context of Oceania, the integratedmanagement of the coast is complex and very different from the Western world. The aim of this anthropological analysis was to improve communication between the affected parties and to avoid further destruction of this sensitive environment which is crucial to the islands’ populations.Ce travail de thèse analyse la perception locale des changements de l’environnement, et plus précisément, celle du changement climatique. Les deux terrains étudiés sont l’île de Wallis (Wallis et Futuna) et l’atoll de Rangiroa (Polynésie Française), qui se distinguent par leur géomorphologie et leur organisation sociale, bien que faisant partie, toutes deux, de l’ensemble francophone du Pacifique sud et de la région culturelle polynésienne. Il s’agit de comprendre la vision de la population locale sur les changements en cours et à venir. Le travail réalisé s’appuie sur l’analyse de quatre indicateurs, réalisée sur la base des méthodes de l’anthropologie. L’indicateur « espace » informe sur la perception de l’espace, l’habitat, le foncier et la migration. Celui consacré aux « ressources » révèle des dynamiques importantes dans le contexte des prélèvements de sable, de l’érosion du littoral et de la construction des murs de protection. L’indicateur « catastrophes », qui traite des cyclones et des tsunamis, aide à cerner la perception des dangers potentiels liés aux risques naturels. Le dernier indicateur, « faits sociaux », décrit la conception du « changement climatique » et de son discours scientifique, le rôle des médias et des politiques, les observations réalisées et leur interprétation locale, qui est fortement liée à des diverses représentations du sujet. Enfin, des scénarios d’avenir dans le contexte de la montée des eaux sont évoqués.Les analyses présentées sont nées d’un questionnement posé par les spécialistes du génie civil côtier soucieux, d’une part, d’avoir une meilleure connaissance de la perception de l’espace littoral par les populations locales, et d’autre part, d’obtenir les clefs de compréhension utiles à l’acceptation de leurs actions. Dans un contexte océanien où la gestion intégrée de l’espace littoral est complexe et différente de celle du monde occidental, les finalités sous tendues par l’analyse anthropologique étaient la prévention contre les dysfonctionnements actuellement observés et la préservation améliorée d’un espace vital pour les populations insulaires