Biophysics and vegetation cover change: A process-based evaluation framework for confronting land surface models with satellite observations

This is the final version. Available on open access from Copernicus Publications via the DOI in this recordLand use and land cover change (LULCC) alter the biophysical properties of the Earth's surface. The associated changes in vegetation cover can perturb the local surface energy balance, which in turn can affect the local climate. The sign and magnitude of this change in climate depends on the specific vegetation transition, its timing and its location, as well as on the background climate. Land surface models (LSMs) can be used to simulate such land-climate interactions and study their impact in past and future climates, but their capacity to model biophysical effects accurately across the globe remain unclear due to the complexity of the phenomena. Here we present a framework to evaluate the performance of such models with respect to a dedicated dataset derived from satellite remote sensing observations. Idealized simulations from four LSMs (JULES, ORCHIDEE, JSBACH and CLM) are combined with satellite observations to analyse the changes in radiative and turbulent fluxes caused by 15 specific vegetation cover transitions across geographic, seasonal and climatic gradients. The seasonal variation in net radiation associated with land cover change is the process that models capture best, whereas LSMs perform poorly when simulating spatial and climatic gradients of variation in latent, sensible and ground heat fluxes induced by land cover transitions. We expect that this analysis will help identify model limitations and prioritize efforts in model development as well as inform where consensus between model and observations is already met, ultimately helping to improve the robustness and consistency of model simulations to better inform land-based mitigation and adaptation policies.The study was funded by the FP7 LUC4C project (grant no. 603542

Dynamic Resource and Task Management

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Nano-colloid printing of functionalised PLA-b-PEO copolymers: Tailoring the surface pattern of adhesive motif and its effect on cell attachment

n this study, we investigate the preparation of surface pattern of functional groups on poly(lactide) (PLA) surfaces through the controlled deposition of core-shell self-assemblies based on functionalized PLA-b-PEO amphiphilic block copolymers from selective solvents. Through grafting RGDS peptide onto the functionalized copolymer surface, the presented approach enables to prepare PLA surfaces with random and clustered spatial distribution of adhesive motifs. The proposed topography of the adhesion motif was proved by atomic force microscopy techniques using biotin-tagged RGDS peptide grafted on the surface and streptavidin-modified gold nanospheres which bind the tagged RGDS peptides as a contrast agent. The cell culture study under static and dynamic conditions with MG63 osteosarcoma cell line showed that the clustered distribution of RGDS peptides provided more efficient initial cell attachment and spreading, and resistance to cell detachment under dynamic culture compared to randomly distributed RGDS motif when with the same average RGDS peptide concentration

Experience and Impact of Online Outreach Services among Men who use the Internet to seek Sex with Other Men (MISM) in Ontario, Canada

Background: Men who use the Internet to have sex with other men (MISM) are increasingly using the Internet to find sexual health information and seek sexual partners, with some research suggesting HIV transmission is associated with sexual partnering online. Aiming to “meet men where they are at”, some AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) deliver online outreach services via sociosexual Internet sites and mobile-apps. Objective: Our objective was to investigate MISM's experiences and self-perceived impacts of online outreach. Methods: From December 2013 to January 2014, MISM aged 16 or older were recruited from Internet sites, mobile-apps, and ASOs across Ontario to complete a 15-minute anonymous online questionnaire regarding their experience of online outreach. Demographic factors associated with encountering online outreach were assessed using backward stepwise multivariable logistic regressio

Experimental Wireless Wattmeter for Home Energy Management Systems

Part 11: Energy: ManagementInternational audienceThis paper presents a novel prototype device for domestic load energy consumption monitoring. Zigbee-based wireless connectivity is included as a basic feature of the prototype. The proposed device allows individual tracking of major energy consumption loads. Real time energy data is acquired and transmitted through a RF link to a wireless terminal unit, which works as a data logger and as a human-machine interface. Both voltage and current measurements are implemented using Hall Effect principle based transducers, while C code is developed on two 16-bit RISC MCU. The experimental setup is described and tests are conducted in order to assess its performance